Thursday, March 31, 2011

KISS - Keep it Simple Sweetie


"KISS" - Keep it Simple Sweetie.  That is my new motto because I tend to over-do things.  Getting back to a simple life for me is about seeing things in their natural beauty.  I still love bold glitzy color, but neutral tons are so smoothing like a sweet song.  I like the textures in these gorgeous pictures from the Horchow home collection.  The use of wood tones and rough textiles are a beautiful combination.  Natural flowers simply stated in containers, just hoping to be noticed.  I guess that's how we are too.  We are simple at heart, yet long to be noticed and admired.  I'm starting to incorporate  new "natural" designs in my aprons and home decor.  I will be posting some of them next week.   I wish all of you a blessed Friday!  I hope you find time to enjoy the natural beauty around you.

  

Friday Blog Hops
Blog Hop Friday at Chubby Cheek   -   Social Parade Follow at Smart and Trendy Moms
Friday Blog Hop at Home Grown   -   Follow Friday 40 and Over at Never Growing Old
Friday Blog Hop at Momma to 3 Blessings   -   Following Friday at Lets Just Give it Away
Boost My Blog Friday at Design it Chic   -   Friendly Friday at Thanks Mail Carrier
Frugal Friday at The Frugal Free Gal   -   It's a Hodgepodge Friday
 

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Country Senorita - ACM


I grew-up around music.  There was always a radio playing or we were watching it on television.  We heard all genres of music like Rock & Roll, Country, Tejano, Disco, Mo-Town, and Christian music.  In fact, we sang in our church choir for years and I often sang solo in front of the congregation.  Heres a secret...my father always wanted me to be a Tejano singer.  I sang okay but not enough to go big.  Growing up in south Texas gave me a love for all things western.  Cowboys and trucks were everywhere...oh yeah!  As I grew older, I continued to explore other genres, and I found my love of Jazz, Blues, and Southern Gosple.  Time and time again I still come back to my Country roots.  I had considered naming this blog "Country Senorita", but stuck with Apron Senorita instead.  I hope you will join in this Sunday to watch the Academy of  Country Music.  Below are some of the nominees.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean  -  Toby Keith  -  Miranda Lambert  -  Brad Paisley  -  Taylor Swift  -  Keith Urban

TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean  -  Brad Paisley  -  Blake Shelton  -  George Strait  -  Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCATLIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert  -  Reba McEntire   -  Taylor Swift  -  Carrie Undersood  -  Lee Ann Womack

TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
The JaneDear Girls  -  Joey & Rory  -  Montgomery Gentry  -  Steel Magnolia  -  Sugarland

TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum  -  Little Big Town  -  Randy Rogers Band  -  The Band Perry  -  Zack Brown Band


Thursday Blog Hops
Fab Friends Thursday Blog Hops
Keepin' Company Thursday at Heck of a Bunch
Buzz on By Thursday at The Two Savvy Sisters
Thirsty Thursday at For the Love of Blogs
Its Almost Friday at Family Friendly Frugality
Having Fun Blog Hop at A Mommy Having Fun
Traveling Through Thursday at Living on Love and Cents
Thursday's Friends and Giveaways at Tammy's Two Cents
Think of Me Thursday at Mrs. Mama Drama
Blog Hop Thursday at Bassigiraffe
Thirsty Thursday Blog Hop at Obviously MARvelous
 

Word Filled Wednesday




Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words

I love magazines!  I have several subscriptions and YES, I look at all of them.  My kids get frustrated with them but I do my best to keep them in one area and organized.  I don't spend much on subscriptions because I look for the best deal online.  For me, magazines are an inspiration, much like the blogs I visit.  I can see a picture of landscapes or houses, and gather from it inspiration for my apron designs.  I also cut pictures out and paste them in my "dream" book.  I've been keeping a Dream Book for years.  I write notes on it and it helps me focus on my goals and dreams.  It is also an inexpensive way to shop, to travel, and to decorate.  I'm a current events junkie and I watch a lot news programs on television, so magazines are my colorful escape.  I hope you find things in your life to motivate you to be more creative and more in touch with the beautiful you!!


 Wednesday Blog Hops

Welcome Wednesday at Take it From Me
Follow Me Wednesday at 3 Four and Under
Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family
Wondering Wednesday at Paisley Passion
Great Moms Think Alike at The Unexpected Mother
Catch the Wave Wednesday at Blogging Hints
Winter Friends Wednesday at 3 Princes And A Princess 2
It’s Be-Bop-A Blog Hop Daddy-O! at Mommy Living the Life of Riley
Handmade Wednesday at Blue Eyed Blessings
Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond
Relax & Make Friends at Mommie Point of View
Middle Matters a Mid-week Blog Hop at Makobi Scribe
 


Spring Flower Garden

I love flowers but I don't have a green thumb.  My mother came by my house Sunday and noticed the dead weeds in my flower bed in front of the house.  It seems that everything I plant in that area eventually whithers away.  The soil is very shallow and it looks like it could use some soil nutrients.   Potting plants and flowers is a skill that my sisters and mother have mastered but not me.  They have beautiful gardens and know the expert tips and advice on plants, yards, and gardening.  It all started back when we were kids working in my father's plant nursery business.   

I don't even own any garden tools.  Then I heard that garden tools should be sanitized so they don't spread diseases from one plant to another....huhhh?    I think I will start by look for garden tools at the flea market so I don't have to spend too much.  I can clean them up and file them for a sharper edge. Next is picking the right plant. First of all, I have no idea what plants to choose so I'm going to a local nursery for a few flowers.  I'm going with container gardens because I love flowers but I also love the beautiful pottery.  Container gardens offer the ability to garden in a small area and the flexibility to rearrange the plants in countless interesting variations.   The beauty and color of flowers make an inspiring curb appeal.


Tuesday Blog Hops


Monday, March 28, 2011

Make it a Marvelous Monday!


The weekend was too short.  I had so much fun that I didn't want it to end but yet here we are, Monday again.  So, here is my idea about how to make it a marvelous Monday...one hour at a time.  First, start by being in a positive and happy mood.  Put on something that makes you feel pretty and certainly put on a beautiful smile.  Next, find something special about the people you talk to.  Even if they are grumpy, try to look for the special gift that God has given them. At the grocery store buy a spring arrangement of flowers or give someone a much needed smile.  Find a few moments to write a little note to someone special or give them a special huge.  Select one thing from your "procrastination" list and get it done today, like cleaning out a kitchen drawer or sorting a basket of socks.  Put on some relaxing music if you need to unwind or some snappy disco music if you need a boost.  Don't fuss in the kitchen, instead cook "breakfast food for dinner". Before going to bed, read a verse from the bible.  It doesn't have to be long scripture because most of wisdom comes in small nuggets.  Remember, you are marvelous today and every day!

MONDAY BLOG HOPS

1. Crunchy or soft tacos?  -  Soft shell
2. Do you scrapbook? - No, but my sister is a Scrapbook Diva
3. Do you take any daily medications?  -  No  :)
4. What is your favorite sound?  -  Jazz
5. Where were you born?   -  South Texas



Sunday, March 27, 2011

A Pause in Lent ~ The Woman at the Well


 
Floss is hosting "A Pause in Lent".
 
Gospel of John 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42
Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.  A woman of Samaria came to draw water.  Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.  The Samaritan woman said to him,  “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”

Jesus answered and said to her,  “If you knew the gift of God  and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘  you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”  The woman said to him,   “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;  where then can you get this living water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself  with his children and his flocks?”  Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;  but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand;  we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.”  Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.”

At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people,  “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.”But he said to them,“I have food to eat of which you do not know.”So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?”  Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent meand to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified,  “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”



Saturday, March 26, 2011

Pastel Spring


Oh how beautiful the pastel colors of spring in Paris.  I know I will go there some day.  The work of a busy single-mother isn't done yet so I've got to wait.  I dream of flying off to Paris to find a new adventure and discover a new me.  I've been "Mommy" for so long that I forget that I was "Yoli" first.  We can't afford lavish vacations on my single-mom income but with the magic of the internet, I get to travel first class through my computer.  I hope you have a great weekend and find time to enjoy the beautiful colors of spring.




 

Friday, March 25, 2011

Fashion Friday



Lets go across the pond to the Ralph Lauren flagship store in Saint-Germain des Prés, located in the fashion district of Paris.  An 18th century townhouse is remodeled into a multi-level shopping experience. The ground level is the fashion forward restaurant called Ralph's, which is the fashion gem of culinary.  Beautiful French courtyards calls out for visitors to relax and enjoy a sparkling glass of fine wines. The store itself is huge with six floors of men’s wear, women’s wear, accessories, and jeans. The whole building has been painstakingly renovated, and everywhere you look, it is beautiful – full of rustic details that tell an all-American tale of success.



FRIDAY BLOG HOPS