Spring is Springing....

The weather is definitely not cooperating

with my Spring yearnings...

With a few gorgeously warm and

clear days last week, I was really feeling

Spring was going to be right on schedule. 

Little did I know we

would have snow in our local hills.... yikes.

The weather hasn't gotten in the way of fun however. 

Tammie hosted our

lovely March bunco,

embracing the green of the Irish.

with lots of food...

(that was friendly to the waistline)

It was a fun night....and I even won one of the

top prizes. 

I must have been channeling the luck of the Irish.

Thanks Tammie!!!

The Irish fun continued into St Patrick's Day!

The Rush's hosted

a delicious dinner which included all

the best things you would expect from the Irish.

Everything was so festive and fun....

and did I mention Green?

Tim took the opportunity

to speak with an Irish brogue for the day.

If I didn't know any better, he

may have some leprechaun in him.

(which he did an imitation of ...oh

how I wish I had gotten a pic of that)

The girls were sporting their new St Patrick's Day dolls

(I know really?  Mermaids??)

and of course most importantly...

The green beer...

We also had:

Corned Beef Rubens

Cole Slaw

Mac & Cheese

Fruit....

Soooooo yummy!!

and even a low fat chocolate and pistachio filled cake.

Thanks Tim and Kristi!!!!!!!

It was so much fun!!!!!!

On Sunday I had

2 projects I wanted to finish.

I wanted to put up a frame collage in my hallway

 (including new pictures)

which I did and LOVE!

As you can see the rug

is going to stay.

I think it looks great with the dark frames.

2nd

I wanted to do my entryway arrangement. 

I am happy to

report I got them both done.

Lastly, I would like to

"WELCOME SPRING"

with my new little sign

and my new and I think happy welcome mat.

Now if I can only get those bunnies out

and hopp'in.....

Happy 1st Day of Spring...tomorrow!!!

A Bit of the Green

Yes...as a 


"Kelley" 


I tend to embrace the Irish traditions.  
I love St Patrick's Day 
and have already sent 
my little Bella some "


GREEN"  
in the form of dollars...haha.  


Stacy will appreciate that.

Riley has decided she needs 
some sort of Barbie, 
so we

will be shopping today. 
And of course

Madi will do whatever Riley does...maybe...as long

as it includes something extremely sticky and dirty.

So off we go to brave

the weather for an

adventure, while

Kristi cooks our 

delicious St. Patrick's Day meal.

Hope we see "Himself"

while we are out.

 and maybe if we can catch
him we can get some
gold

I hope everyone has a .....

Don't forget your Green.....

Halloween Bunco

It's time once again for my Halloween Bunco.

I have written my annual invitation poem,

but this

year I have added something new....

It’s that time once again, but look for a Twist

And if you dare to not come, the Powers at be will be Pissed

Rumor has it that a Masquerade Party has been planned

With Murder and Mystery, it’s bound to be Grand

An invitation will arrive with your part, which is Key

To give you the tools you will need to administer the Third Degree

You will play an important part,

so bring your Wits and your Cunning

And a Masquerade Mask that is both Glitzy and Stunning

You may Dress as you wish, but in Character I would Choose

Rewards will be given for those that step it up and Amuse.

October 28 is the date I think would be best

Let me know if this works to eliminate my stress

A delicious Mexican dish is the price of Admission

not to mention a lovely Bunco Tradition

Please come ready to play and help solve this Masquerade Mystery

And I apologize ahead…….you do know my History.

We shall be playing a murder mystery...

Something I have been wanting to

try for a long time.

Mystery at the Masquerade Ball,

I will let you know how it goes.

I'm hoping it will become our new tradition

and will be a party to die for.

FOT time again

After deciding not to design a Festival of the Trees,

tree this year,

I found myself...

you guessed it,

with a TREE. 

I took delivery and now with a design

in mind will again be decorating a tree for the festival.  

As always it is a 

terrific cause, and I look forward to it. 

Once a tree designer, always

a tree designer I guess....

If you live in Southern California and

would like to see the trees,

here is the website. 

It's at the Riverside convention

center, right across from the great little shops

downtown. 

You can make a day of it,

and be sure to go to Simple Simon's for lunch.

Here's a tease of this years design. 

I will even give you a hint

with my title...

"Home for Christmas"

Welcome October

I feel like Fall is really here.....

this morning while

having our coffee on the patio
it actually started drizzling. 

Felt like Fall! 

What do you do in October

when it feels like Fall? 

Get out the goulies of course.

Plan a dinner of course!

Light the candles of course!

Put out the appetizers of course!

The only question remains....

WHO

What shall we

have for dinner?

Proof?????

Happy 4th of July...

Independence Day...

a day for barbecues, swimming, eating and fireworks. 

Did it happen? 

I am looking for proof...

Proof

that Kevin straightened and hosed

in anticipation of family and friends coming over.

Proof

that I cooked and prepared an assorted variety salads

as well as

hot dogs, hamburgers and brats to barbecue

Proof

that Sean made two flavors of homemade ice cream...fresh strawberry and cookies and cream.

with the help of an electric ice cream maker...

we don't want

to give him too much credit. 

He even snuck away

for an additional 2 bags of ice for beverage icing

Proof

that Kristi made a two tier cake

with the same flavors, as well as made deviled eggs,

a yummy pasta salad and brought

after dinner cigars for the firework show.

Proof

that Tim iced drinks

and was the best Cabana Boy Man EVER.

Not to mention, he entertained his

lovely daughters in the pool

(as well as us)

Proof

that Riley and Madison came festively dressed in

Red, White and Blue

Proof

that Baba made little wienie wraps

for our appetizer pleasure ... along with chips and salsa.

Proof

that Grandma Kelley decorated and

added some cute little touches to the "Pork"

and Grandpa Kelley tried out the new TV in the "Pork"

Proof

that the "Pork" received yet

another gift from Auntie and FU.

Proof

that guests arrived bearing lovely gifts, delicious food, iced beverages and a patriotic spirit.

The Trifilletti's brought

the infamous "Fiesta" dip as well

as a delicious bow tie pasta salad.

Proof

The Moore's brought a delicious

capresse salad and I even got to keep

the cute dish it came in...very 4th

Proof

that the Sinner's are a blast as well

as Kim the zip liner...(not that

we did any zip lining yesterday)

Proof

that after much fun, sun, swimming, eating, laughing

and did I mention fun,

I still had 

NO PROOF

No pictures to validate the event...

we are limited to only memories

of an extremely fun day.

Hope your 4th was as good....with or without pictures.

Himself

I had my annual talk with Himself this morning,

and he wanted me to wish everyone a

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

He would have done it himself but he

was too busy hiding his gold.

May those who love us love us.

And those that don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts,

May He turn their ankles,

So we'll know them by their limping."

--Irish curse

Oops...

wrong one...

"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you each morning and night."

--Irish blessing

Now off to Kristi's for our annual

St Patrick's Day celebration.

Cheers!!

Endless Love .... ..

and Tablescape Thursday

hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

Ladies of my generation ....

do you remember the movie

"Love Story" ?

I must have watched it a million times,

and sadly music student Jennifer Cavilleri  still died

and law student Oliver Barrett IV was still heartbroken. 

I haven't seen it in years,

and I bet it is so corny now....but alas, it was

a love story for all time, or rather for my time.
Love means never having to say you're sorry
(hahaha)

Valentine's Day,

this day of romance and love

caused me to think about other love stories. 

As I started decorating my table I realized it was

taking on a very vintage look. 

Maybe more vintage than the generation

I am going to tell you about,

but vintage enough to stir my memories.

Who were some of your favorite romantic couples?

Maybe Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant

in

  Philadelphia Story

(of course I would take Cary Grant anytime, anywhere)

Tulips are so plentiful this time of year....I could put fresh tulips  in every room.  Oh wait, I did!!!

Except for on this table....

Maybe Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in

Sleepless in Seattle?

Oh Valentine...Be Mine

Maybe Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in

It Happened One Night.

You don't know that one? Yes it is very old.

As I sit here and think of some of

my favorite romantic comedies

I think 80% of them have Cary Grant in them.

Here's a romance you don't know about.

Once upon a time, sometime prior to 1953,

on the east coast of our great country,

another love story was about to begin. 

This one started in the usual manner, a boy met a girl. The girl was not as crazy about the boy as he was about her.

But as most stories progress, they got to know

each other, they fell in love and were married.

This is my mom and dad on their wedding day .... 1953

They looked happy, but on the way to the ceremony

my mother's car lost sight of the lead car and they

got horribly lost.  She was at least an hour

late to her ceremony and my grandfather

had to force her down the aisle.  She

was so embarrassed.  Can you imagine

how my dad felt, thinking he had been stood up.

Those cell phones would have sure come in handy.

On the opposite coast,

another boy was falling in love with another girl. 

They too were married and began their life together

This is my mother and father in law.  My mother in law

had just gotten out of the hospital.  She

had been thrown from her horse and had

a full body cast on under her wedding dress.

I don't know how she did it, but he was

pretty cute.

hugs and kisses ...

Both couples were lucky enough to have celebrated their 50th anniversaries.

My mother and father in law are shooting for their 60th.

I thought I would do a tribute to these endless loves.

Remember

Gregory Peck (fine figure of a man)

and Audrey Hepburn

in

Roman Holiday?

Or

Judy Garland and the boy next door

in

Meet me in St Louis

Should I be talking about my table or just listing more

couples?

How about Catherine Zeta Jones and Antonio Banderas

(one of my favorites...hot and spicy) 

in

Zorro

I guess I could go on and on.

My daughter Kristi took all of the pictures of

my table while I watched the g-kids

Good deal don't you think?

Thanks Kristi.

I guess I could add

Kristi and Tim Rush

in

Family Rush Hour ;)

to my list of romances

Tell me your favorite movie couple of all time.

Even if it's Thelma and Louise.

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant

in

To Catch a Thief

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

in

Twilight

(is that destined to become the

Love Story of this generation?)

Thanks for putting up with my nonsensical post.

and please leave me a glimpse into your

favorite movie couple.

Maybe it was

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore

in

50 First Dates.

I can't wait to find out ....

Happy New Year!!!

....and Happy Birthday to me...

I always enjoy my birthday, other than the part of being another year older of course, I celebrate the day

with people around the world welcoming in the new year.

I always start with breakfast with the family,

and this year was no different. 

We all met at Mimi's and I was surprised

by a special birthday cake.   

(picture is on my phone and I need to download)

This is a special cake made from cake

and filling not used in the "REAL" cake that

will be for my granddaughters party today.

Kristi decorated of course with my favorite, dragees. 
She probably doesn't want to take
credit for this one...but "I LOVED IT"

Can you believe they even lit the cake,

sang Happy Birthday and made me blow out the candles

in the middle of the restaurant? 

Very embarrassing.

After breakfast we proceeded on to an

afternoon of light shopping. 

Shopping spent birthday gifts

for my grand-daughters and my son. 

Do you see anything wrong with this picture? 

We also got to watch my grand-daughter Riley

get her ears pierced. 

That part was exhausting,

but she did so good and was so

happy to have her new little pink crystal earrings. 

We concluded the afternoon with beverages and snacks at my house...wait did I hostess that too? 

I don't think I am too good at this birthday thing....Kris HELP!!!

Kris did help...along with her husband Greg.  We, Kevin and I that is, were invited to the Grover's to ring in the new year and celebrate the rest of my birthday. 

Kris and Greg always make us feel so special and last night was no different.

We walked into these delicious appetizers

and welcoming set up. 

Kris I need this recipe and it would make and excellent post.....hint hint

Our gorgeous set up

Our charming hostess and host.

Now I must confess......

When it came time to order

our dinner my obsession began.

Kris pulled out these spectacular spectacles

(almost as a tease am now thinking)

to read the menu.

Can you see that they are lighted?  Can you see what that means?

The possibilities are endless....

all I knew is that I had to have them...and

they were small enough to fit in my purse for

a quick getaway later...hmmmmmm????

As I tried to bring myself back to reality...
living in a world

without these fantastic specs ...
I was

shown the beautiful table that was set just for us.

Another confession -

After doing hundreds of tables for others...

there is nothing like

the feeling you have when someone sets a

special table for

YOU.

Kris this was so special.

Speaking of special...the Mr. G even had a surprise for my hubby.

I can't even describe how excited he was.

Crystal glass and all....ahhhhh Mr. G!!!

and as if that wasn't enough...great friends,

great food, great beverages...

there were also presents. 

Yes you guessed it....

I got my own spectacular spectacles!!!

After games and some very funny

YouTube entertainment it was

time to toast in the new year....

and of course did I mention cake and other sweets too?

Thank you Grover's for such a great time and making

us feel so special.

and as Kevin suggested...maybe Times Square

is in our future for

2012!

Happy New Year!!!

and Happy Birthday to ME!