Back in Louisiana

I have to say that this has been a good and bad thing for us. As much as we both are glad to get back to our seemingly quiet neighborhood, unlike the apartment in Petersburg, we are sad because we are back to where it takes a good drive to get anywhere. We both have felt as if over the last 3 months we were spoiled with the restaurants we were able to visit. Our date nights were full of variety. I am going to try and recap some of them for you now...I know I should have been doing this over the last 3 months..lol!

Chinese food at the mall!

Sushi at Wabi Sabi (went here a bunch)

Bottoms Up Pizza in Richmond....

Mexican Pizza

Chesapeake Pizza - Crab on a pizza...Need I say more!!!

Peanut Butter Smore's Pizza

Creme Brulee

All of the above are from Bottoms Up Pizza

Our last date night in Virigina.  We went to The Bistro and Market and Grove.

If you are ever in the Petersburg, VA area you really should check these places out.  Great prices and super yummy food!

Don't Mess with the little kids!!!

I had seen this amazing art work on a website (not sure who created it but I give them unknown credit).

The area makes me think of Petersburg where we are living right now (well until tomorrow).  I have to say though...Don't mess with the little kids!!!!

Please meet Abigail Mae

On July 2nd we had decided to take our 6 year old Lab to PetSmart on an outing.  We NEVER thought we would leave with another "dogter".  Once we walked into the store we could hear the sound of dogs carrying on.  I personal thought that they were holding some sort of class and that is where the noise was coming from.  Daniel , of course, headed towards the noise...lol.  Harleigh and I followed and when we got to where the noise was originating we were greeted with polite hellos from the volunteers of S.A.F.E.  Before that day I had never heard of S.A.F.E but I believe in what they stand for.  S.A.F.E. = Saving Animals From Euthanasia.  They told us they are there every Saturday with hopes of finding nice homes for the cats and dogs they had.  Well it did not take long for Daniel to fall in love with this little girl.  I of course was close to follow.  We took her to the back and let Har and her sniff it out and see how things would go and within just minutes they were playing.  This was such a happy sight to see!  We filled out the paper work and gladly brought this little bundle of joy home with us.  In less then a month she has proved to be a perfect match to our family.  Abigail Mae is full of life.  Her and her big sister, Harleigh, play so well and Harleigh has been teaching Abigail so much.  I am sure that I will be posting many more photos and stories about both of them so stay tuned for it :)

Lawn 911! Pet Poisonous Cocoa Bean Mulch

Lawn 911! Pet Poisonous Cocoa Bean Mulch

If your dog likes to spend sunny days lazing in the garden, his treat-seeking nose may lead him to one danger in particular: sweet-smelling cocoa bean mulch.

Many gardeners are familiar with the use of cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, in landscaping. It’s especially popular for its attractive odor and color and eventual degradation into organic fertilizer. But many pet parents don’t realize that cocoa mulch, if eaten in large quantities by mischievous dogs, can be toxic.

“Dogs are attracted to the fertilizer’s sweet smell,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA Chief Operating Officer, “but like chocolate, cocoa bean mulch can be too much for our canine companions.”

Ingestion of large amounts of cocoa bean mulch may cause a variety of clinical signs, including:

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• elevated heart rate
• hyperactivity
• muscle tremors
• neurological disturbances

Dr. Hansen recommends that the gardeners among us consider using a nontoxic alternative, such as shredded pine, cedar or hemlock bark, to beautify their yards. These will keep your pooch and your garden happy and healthy.

If you suspect your dog has ingested cocoa bean mulch, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

I read this on the ASPCA's web site and I thought I would share it with all of my readers.  Our pets health is important to us as I know your pets health is important to you.

Watergate Salad recipe

I could not believe this recipe was in my inbox from Kraft just a minute ago. This treat brings back many yummy memories for me as a child. I think this was the first thing my Grandmother had ever shown me how to create. I have made this salad for many different occasion and I hope you do also!

What You Need

1 can (20 oz.) DOLE Crushed Pineapple, in juice, undrained

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding

1 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows

1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans

1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make It

MIX first 4 ingredients in large bowl until well blended.

STIR in COOL WHIP.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour.

ENJOY!!!!

Petersburg Court House - Virginia

One of the many things we have had the honor of seeing while here in VA is the Petersburg Courthouse. I have to say that the photo does it no justice.

This is one of the great things built that have been around for a very long time. This was here during the Civil War in 1865 and to think it is still standing today amazes me.

This is what the City of Petersburg website says about it -

"The Petersburg Courthouse, built between 1837 and 1839, was the official Confederate headquarters during the Siege of Petersburg. On April 20, 1861, local volunteers formed in its square to enlist. On June 9, 1864, its bell sounded the warning for the local militia to meet the advancing Union cavalry.

During the Siege, soldiers from both sides could see the courthouse clock from the trenches and they set their timepieces by it. The clock tower was a favorite target of Union artillerists, who poured an estimated 20,000 shells into the city. When Petersburg fell on April 3, 1865 a Union flag waved above it."

More to come so keep checking back...my three month trip has only begun!

OMG!!! It Has Been Awhile

Boy I have been super busy so sorry for not posting..lets see what has been going on...

My daughter came to visit us in Louisiana.  We had so much fun.  The above pic was taken while we were on an outing to the coast and getting in some alligator watching...woohoo so much fun.  I promise to post more pictures soon.

After she left and went back to Kansas we had to get super busy with packing.  Yep we are taking a bit of a holiday of sorts in VA for three months while hubby is attending school.  Super busy I tell you.  We are here now in beautiful Petersburg, VA.  There is so much history from this and surrounding areas, I am very excited to experience all I can...food too!

I will be posting more later with kinda flash backs on what has been going on so check back often to read all about it :)

Smiles

Thursday...

So today I think I will post a couple of layouts.  I am also hoping that the weather holds up and tomorrow is a nice day cuz if so we are going to the zoo.  I am so excited for that.  I have not been to a zoo since spring of last year.  If we do go I promise to take a bunch of photos.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday...

Yesterday I said that I would share with you the ABC's of photography so here it is.

A: Angles
B: Backlit
C: Chronology
D: Diagonal Lines
E: Everyone
F: Frames
G: Groups
H: Hands
I: Individuals
J: Juxaposition
K: K-9's and Kittens
L: Little Details
M: Mirrors
N: Natural Light
O: Outdoors
P: Playtime
R: Reactions
S: Self-timer
T: Toys
U: "U"
V: Values
W: Weather
X: "X-treme" Close-up
Y: Youthfulness
Z: Zoom

I hope you enjoy this list. I challenge you to go through this alphabet and take a photo for each letter. As an incentive I will create something to give participants...not sure what it will be yet, maybe a digi kit or it could be a blog layout. I will post it later when I figure it out...so what are you waiting for...go on get your cameras and start snapping those pictures!

I decided to create a new desktop for my computer. I thought I would share it with you.

If you would like to have it for yourself click on link and then right click on image and save as.  If you do download it please leave me some love.
Click here for desktop!!
Thanks!

Wednesday...

With Daniel out of town again I found myself with time on my hands...of course this was after I came up with a site redesign for a client on Monday (design complete - just waiting on fresh content). I figure with my girls out of the house (taken over by their love for Kansas)and Daniel on a field exercise the house will stay pretty clean. Of course do not get me wrong, my lil girl Harleigh will chew up a toy I am sure and shed her loving fur all over the house but for the most part pretty clean. I should be able to get quite a few layouts completed before he gets home next week.

So here are some layouts I created today.

above layout created with random pieces from SweetshoppeDesigns

layout created with Adoration kit by Kim Hill

Mix and match pieces from IM-Loveable
photo booth strip created by myself.

layout created with random pieces by JadyDayStudio.



I think tomorrow if all goes well I will post the ABC's of photography. I think it will be fun to share it with all of you.

Smiles:)

New layout

I finished another layout and as you can see I also gave this blog a makeover.  I am going to try and give my blog a new look every once and awhile.  What do you think?

This layout is of our Christmas tree this past year.  We have since purchased a new one and I am pretty excited to put it up next year.  The small picture is of  my favorite ornament the tree.  It is a Hallmark ornament with my dogters picture in it.  While Daniel and I were shopping the after holiday sales I was able to find a kit to make an ornament out of her paw print so I am excited about that too!

Hodge's Garden

Today We took a hike at Hodge's Garden state park. We set off and I had my new back pack for my camera all packed and ready to go (thanks A for getting it for me). I had my bottle of water, sunglasses, hiking boots and Hubby. We had so much fun. We found an old trail that is no longer used or mapped for use and we probably covered about 6 miles. We crossed over a creek, which hubby was kind enough to create a bridge for so i could cross easier...Thanks. We got turned around and for a bit we were lost, but all in all it was so much fun. While on the hike I did manage to take my camera out of the back pack once...when we came in contact with an armored opossum. I will admit I was a bit afraid. I thought it was going to attack.

Hubby on the other hand was bent down trying to call him over...silly men I swear.

None the less we are planning on returning for more hiking fun...maybe I will take more pictures. Guess we will have to see.

When in Rome...well when in LA...

Well as the saying goes...

We have made up our minds that life is way to short to have regrets.  We set out to try new things with an open mind and empty belly (lol).  This held true to craw fish.

We moved to the south with the knowledge that Craw fish were a big thing here and we told ourselves we would try it.  So when a vendor showed up here on Post we pulled over and bought us some boiled craw fish.

We did not know what to expect but we tried it.

Daniel thought it was exciting and yummy!

Amanda not so much !!!

I know personally I loved it.  There are several places that sell craw fish out in town and we plan on trying them out.  I hope that I have the camera with me when we find a place to try.

Happy eating!

Happy Holidays

I guess you can never be way to late to wish everyone Happy Holidays. We ahve been so busy spending time together this year that I have not been very good at posting. I once again hope this will change.

This is a picture of our tree this year. Yep it looks kinda sad but it is what it is.



From our family to yours...Happy Holidays and we hope you have a safe New Year!

Fisher, LA

Daniel and I went driving around the other day and ended up eating our lunch at a wonderful sandwich shop in Leesville called “Muffuletta”.  This is pronounced “muff-uh-LOT-uh”.  We had a terrific lunch and talked to the owner Dianne.  While we were talking she told us about a great little town up the road called Fisher.  Daniel and I decided to take the drive and check it out.

This is what Fisher looks like when you first turn the corner into it.  It has that Mayberry feel if you ask me.  Very quiet and the inhabitants here have no problem giving out friendly waves.  Once into the town we crossed over some railroad tracks and got to see an old store. 

This is now the home to a wonderful antique store.  Daniel and I walked around the store and were swept back to a time from the past.  The old saying is correct…time flies when you are having a good time.  We were in there looking at all of the treasures for over 2 hours.

At the store we talked to some very nice people.  This general area also has a restored post office (still in use), some old homes that are being restored, an old church and a theatre.  The theatre once had great legends such as Hank Williams Senior and Hank Williams Junior on its stage playing.  It is also said that Elvis too once performed there.  The people we talked to allowed to enter the theatre and look around.    I will post more pictures of that later.

This is the old town depot. 

Some have said that Fall is not seen here in the south but I happen to differ from that.  On the day Daniel and I were in Fisher I took this picture of this home right over the tracks.

Looks like fall to me!

Funny Pic...

With Halloween right around the corner I thought I would mess with a picture I took of Daniel and I while on the river beach.

Not the ocean but beach anyway

We had just got into Texas and had to cross a bridge.  We took a side road and came to the beach of the river.  Here are a few shots from that day.

 
Yep we are still so much in love! 

Newton, TX

Out for a drive came across a gem of a town called Newton. They are a small town with all the small town feel. I am looking forward to going back and walking on the streets and shopping in the shops. I can see a day full of picture taking...Hmmm sounds fun!

Lunch Out with Daniel...

The other day Daniel took me for a morning full of junking (garage sales) and then for a drive.  I of course did not have my camera with me so no good shots of the day :( 

Junking was fun and we were able to pick up several books to read for very little money.  This is a huge deal because there are really no good book stores or thrift stores near by us since we moved.  We had so much fun driving around and looking for some treasures.

After a long morning of junking we took a drive and came across a wonderful restaurant called Chef Chad's.

Let me tell you the food was so amazing!!!!  I had a Spanky Special...this is a yummy sandwich with shrimp and the most delicious jalapeño mayonnaise.  We sat out side on the deck and enjoyed a gentle breeze and the quiet (we were the only ones there)

Really was a wonderful meal and we are looking forward to going back again...next time I will bring my camera {wink,wink}

Pictures...

I wanted to share some pictures with you.

The first couple are of the forest road right out the back gate.

The photo below is of a near-by lake - Anacoco Lake...We didn't have a bunch of time there for me to take pictures but it is on our lists of places to go back to and look around more.

The final picture I am going to add to this blog post is of a black widow spider that was living in our back yard.  She was very pretty as you can see.  I am just glad that she didn't bite anyone.