Decorating for Hallloween Night!

Happy Halloween to Everyone!  Isn't it amazing how Halloween seems to get  bigger and bigger every year with the decorations. People are really getting into decorating their homes for the big night.  Here are some awesome scary places to go trick or treating.

I'm scared to death of turanchulas, I probably wouldn't go near these houses.

And then there is my house...not very scary.  It's a happy place to Trick or Treat.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween...

Saturdays with Sisters!

As sisters we do all kinds of things together.  But it's extra special when we are all togteher with extended family.  Last Saturday I was lucky enough to spend the whole day with all 3 sisters.  We attended the Baby shower of our niece, daughter  of sister #2.  It was such fun being alltogether and the shower was decorated so darling, that I wanted to share it with you.   Here are some photos and some great ideas if you're planning  your next  baby shower.  The table of goodies was really cute!

An adorable large cupcake adorned with cute suckers of baby handprints was the center of attention.. Two beautiful cupcake trees with smaller chocolate cupcakes for everyone to eat.  They were so yummmy!

   Delicious pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate and sprinkles.

  Homemade fortune cookies with personalized fortunes for the new mom and dad!

 Pink Candies of m&m's, jelly beans, and rock candy, and nuts in a special  dish. 

 Rock candy on a stick, was a unique touch also.

And a baby clothes line of baby bibs and socks was added to the window valance, an adorable touch!  Needless to say it was super cute and the sisiters had a ball!  Great memories are created on

 Saturdays with Sisiters!

Saturdays with Sisters!

This Saturday I'm going to share a little bit of my younger sister Susan with you.  She is very skilled at Organization and Money saving ideas.  For years she has been shopping the bargains and I never paid much attention to her. Although I admired her for really shoppping to get the best deals, I couldn't quite figure it out. Well that has all changed since the economy has taken a down turn. Now I have been struggling with ways to save money at the grocey store, and shopping in general.   Susan has shown me lots of ways to get more bang for my buck. She's pretty amazing at how she can get a bargain.  

Today she  is going to share her top five tips.       

                                           "Top 5  Money Saving Tips"                      

As far back as I can remember I liked to save money and enjoyed the hunt for bargains. Being frugal allowed me to work part time and be available to my kids while they were growing up. With the struggling economy, a lot more people are looking for ways to save money.

My favorite 5 money saving tips are:

1. Plan Ahead – Make a grocery list, group errands together to save gas, or order early and avoid the last minute “overnight” shipping.

2. Compare Prices – There are many deals to be had and coupons to use. Check out the ads, visit several stores or look online to find the best price.

3. Pause Before You Purchase – Ask yourself is this something I really need and will use? Leave the store and go home and think it over.

4. Waste Not Want Not – Unplug anything that is not in use, put on a sweatshirt and eat your leftovers.

5. Make Do With What You Have – Rearrange your furniture, wear out your clothes and gift items you’ve never used. Be creative and use your talents and resources. See how long you can go without spending any money!

  $mart $avings from Sue

                                                                                                 

Happiness!

What is it that makes you happy?  Is it  free time, shopping, movies, reading, going for walks, sporting events, cooking, blogging?  Any of these hit home with you.  My sister and I were discussing a book that she has just read "The Happiness Project",

 http://www.happiness-project.com/ in which the author Gretchen Rubin tries to discover what is it that really makes her happy or what she has fun doing?  So often, people invite us to participate in something with them and they say "come on, it'll be fun".  But is it fun for them or is it fun for you? Sometimes we join in just to spend time with the person, for your relationship aspect. Sometimes we join in because we can't say no, and sometimes we join in to Have Fun!  She suggests thinking back to when you were a child, what did you think was fun and maybe it still is what makes you happy. Since our conversation I have really been thinking about what it is that I really get a kick out of, and it's so many things, from being with my kids, decorataing, crafting, cooking, spending time alone, going to the movies, and on and on, but I also know what doesn't really do it for me too. 
I am participating in a blog hop on Happiness,with a few other bloggers check out the next blogger in line, and maybe you'll discover something new about yourself and what floats your boat, or should I say, brings Happiness into your life! http://sophistishe.com/,  http://www.thatnewslady.com/ , http://oh.so-very.me/site/

Happy Day!

Saturdays with Sisters!

This week I want to share with you, my special sister Karen. she is a few years older and much wiser, I have to admit. Karen is a communications teacher at the university level.  She specializes in positive and inspirational messages for her students as well as her sisters.  For years Karen would come and visit and inspire us with her so many positive ideas.  "Your Words create your Reality" or "It's not your Circumstances, it's how you React to them" are just two of the ones that have really hit home for me. As a side line Karen is a writer, but you would never know that this was not her full time calling in life.  I am so excited to share with you some of the articles that she has written for her local newspaper.  a little over a year  and 1/2 ago she became a grandmother for the first time.  Well you will see from the article how beautifully she tells the story.  Get your handkerchiefs  ready, and enjoy...
"The Circle of Life"    click here  http://www.yumasun.com/articles/join-48152-circle-smiles.html

The Fun Theory!

Stockholm is trying a new theory to get people to take the stairs, rather than the escalators.  They painted the stairs to look and sound like a piano.  Watch what happens.  Great design idea!!, Not to mention the excercise and fun they gave to unsuspecting people.


I would love to try it out in Amercan cities.  Doesn't it look like fun?  I guess  thats why they call it "The Fun Theory".

Saturdays with Sisters!

As you get older you begin to appreciate more and more what it is that is precious to you.  My family definitely fits that category.  My husband, three children, and extended family.  I am one of the Blessed ones in life that has three wonderful sisters who I love to spend time with.  Each of us girls have very different interests, and I would love to share that with all of you.  Please join me each Saturday as I share my "Saturdays with Sisters".

 Kathy is the oldest of 4 and she is very much of an inspiration.  You see, that last few years she began a career in oil painting. We just celebrated Kathy's 60th birthday and I was once again reminded it's never to late to follow your dreams.  She made up her mind to do it and went for it.  Here are a few of my favorite paintings...

This one is "Lake Mary Road' in Flagstaff AZ

 

"Schnebly Hill" near Sedona, AZ

And "Summer Evening on Fort Valley Road" in Flagstaff, AZ

As you can she she is quite good.  It's amazing to me that she just picked up a paint brush and with the help of a few classes and workshops she is off and running.

 Kathy opened her own little studio in downtown Flagstaff on Oct 1 just in time for "First Friday Art Walk".  You must check out  her website and see more of her fabulous work.  

http://kathrynwillisart.com/

I'm very proud to call her my sister.

Blessings...what a Blessing!

A few weeks ago on a Saturday  I held a Blessings Unlimited party at the home of a very dear friend.  She has a wondeful back yard complete with green grass and  gorgeous prize winning roses among other flowers and beautiful outdoor furniture. She  wanted to hold the party in the yard, and call it a garden party.  I wish I had taken pictures, because it was a beautiful setting on the last day of summer.  Aside from the gorgeous garden setting, what  an awesome party.  All of the ladies were so encouraging to each other and very complementary  of the Blessings Unlimited products.  Once again the  best selling item was the Blessings Card Holder, everyone seems to love it.  I think I sold 10 of them!

As you can see it is a wonderful way to display cards and pictures, that says exactly what they are...Blessings.  I have to say this company has been such a blessing in my life.  It's awesome to bless people with inspirational gift items, and you get that blessing right back.  Be sure to check out my Blessings Unlimited website    http://debbiemoore.blessingsdirect.com/Pages/Story.aspx and see all the wonderful things that this company has to offer.  What a Blessing!!