Looking for advice on wall color

We have a wood wall very similar to the one in this picture. I don't like the wood and want to paint it but haven't decided what color. I've noticed in magazines they paint walls as such in a white or a cream color. But I don't want to look like everyone else and I really like darker colors. I have a lot of black and dark wood furniture in the living room. What do you think about the color they painted the wood wall behind the bed? And if I paint the wood wall this color what color do you think I should paint the living room walls. I was going to go with a darker yellow but now I really like the color of this wall and yellow will not do. Any suggestions what will look great with this color? How about the post below....the second picture posted. Look at the color of wall there and tell me if it will match the color in this post. What do y'all think?

Decorating Inspirations

I've been looking over sites for some decorating ideas and came across these. I love the bathroom. The colors are perfect for the color scheme of our home.





I've been also looking over landscaping ideas. I really want Hydrangea's and Angel Trumpets. They are beautiful!!!

Pie in the Sky

Jill, have you been to Pie in the Sky? My hubby is working on a project in Conroe and has been telling me all about a cute little place called, Pie in the Sky. We stopped by this weekend and had brunch and pie for dessert. WOW! It was awesome. The restaurant is cute and funky. They had a 1950's old television as a coffee table, old school house benches in the bathrooms, and antique doors with light fixtures hanging on the ceilings. It's really a cute place. Just wondering if you have ever been?

Holiday Weekend

Hope y'all enjoyed your holiday weekend. We drove up to our friend's gorgeous lake house. They built it last year. It's over 4,000 sq. ft. and just a few feet from the lake. It has massive windows everywhere in the house so almost every room has a lake view. As we sat down for dinner a huge storm rolled through and it was so exciting to watch the waves hit the boat house. There was a huge crane that landed on the upper deck during the storm. He was so beautiful! He sat the storm out with us. And just as fast as the storm rolled in it disappeared. It lasted only about 30 minutes and then the sun was out again. All and all it was a great relaxing way to spend Memorial day weekend. What did y'all do?

Healthy Recipes?

My husband.....bless his little heart. Y'all, I'm trying to get him to eat healthier. I tell him how much we need to start eating healthy and that he's going to have to cut back on those sweets. And he loves his fried shrimp and now that we've returned to the Gulf region he's in shrimp heaven. I know he's meeting his friend down at Papaduex's Seafood and ordering that fatty fried shrimp platter. And don't get me started on those hush puppies. He tries to sneak it from me. The other day I asked him what he had for lunch and he began sweat'n like he was on trial for murder. Y'all, I spotted fried shrimp crumbs in his goat tee but he replied, "Oh, I had a salad." I smirked and said, "as the appetizer."

You would think after working several years in the Emergency Room that he'd learn better after working heart attacks, etc... But to tell y'all the truth, after years of being around doctors and nurses they are some of the most unhealthiest people I know. Seriously, no joke. And they never go for their doctor's appointments. My hubby and his friends like to self diagnose themselves. It would take something drastic to get him to go to the doctor. And even then he'd probably text his friends and e-mail a picture so they could all discuss the treatment plan. They love to share medical stories that I find interesting and repulsive (usually over dinner). I've learned to not ask any questions and focus on what I'm eating, HA!

Does anyone have any good eating tips? Any healthy recipes? Any good sites that I can get some ideas on what to cook for lunches and dinners? I could eat salad and grilled chicken for almost every meal. But that will last about two meals and he'll want something else. I would appreciate any input y'all have....

Tennis anyone?

I'm really into tennis. I LOVE it! Before we moved from Austin I was playing on a league and attended weekly tennis classes. I played 4x week and played most Saturday mornings in doubles with my husband and another couple. But since we relocated to Houston I haven't played once.

Last week I joined a summer league through our local athletic club. However, my husband and I met some neighbors last weekend and I found out that the wife is on the tennis league at the country club. We're going to end up playing against each other this summer. That should be fun but I can see that she's just as aggressive as I am. The competition is going to get heated.

Y'all, I would be lying if I said I was playing for fun. I'm totally serious when I say...I want to win! I want to beat my neighbor so bad. She's a bit of a snob so sweet victory would make me very happy. I know, not a very nice thing to say. I try to be humble about the whole thing but something inside takes over. Like I have a little evil tennis monster living inside me. Does anyone else experience this? Doesn't have to be about tennis but anything that you find yourself competitive over. Well, I started my diet this week and I have weight training over the weekend. I'm seriously going after these matches like two guns blazing. What are your plans this weekend?

Flour Sack Dish Towels

I don't know about y'all but I love a good dish towel. There's nothing like hanging cute dish towels to brighten up your kitchen. But I also like a good sturdy towel to dry my dishes. I don't do many dishes by hand (have a dishwasher) but occasionally I'll rinse a glass or two. And I never put my good china or crystal in the dishwasher. Therefore, I need a GOOD dish towel. Not just any dish towel will do. I've learned over the years that the terry cloth towels will smear the water and not properly absorb it. And it's too thick to get into the nooks and crannies of a wine glass or deep dish. The best dish towel I've used for actual "kitchen work" is the flour sack towel (just like my Grandma used). You can find them by browsing online with any style and design. I found these on a kitchen site. They are perfect if you live in Texas.

What a Grand Idea

My friend made the cutest floral arrangement for her table. It's so simple but looks absolutely beautiful. She took old hat boxes and lined them with plastic. Then she set a flower pot inside. The flowers look as if they are growing inside the box. I wouldn't have thought to use hat boxes but I suppose y'all could use anything around the house. I found these pictures online that will give y'all more of a visual of what I'm talking about. Aren't they gorgeous!!!

Saturday Sales

My husband and I hit some antique sales today. We found all sorts of wonderful goodies. Part of the fun of antiquing is trying to hunt down things at a cheap price. My relatives own a antique dealership in Dallas. They are always finding great deals at garage sales, antique sales, and estate sales. They are REALLY serious but I do it for fun. My hubby has a great eye for hidden jewels. He's the best person to go with. Check out my great finds....

Antique Lace Table Runner $3.50

The Bird's Nest $2.00

Silver Children's Plate $3.00 *still in original package

Black Floral Tray $3.00

Iron Bird Candle Holder $4.00

Grand Total $15.50

Now where can you go on a shopping spree for under $20.00? I can't wait to hit more antique sales over the summer.

OLD TOWN SPRING, TEXAS

I just got back from an afternoon of exploring in Old Town Spring. Boy, oh boy, did we have fun. Some of the shops were cute and some were disappointing but I did find a couple of things today. My friend, Tracie, and I drove over this morning. I think we would have had a better time if it wasn't so hot and muggy. We both had to pull our hair up because of the hot humid morning. That's when you know you're in the South. When your sweating and it's only 9 am! Y'all haven't experienced summer until ya lived in New Orleans or Houston, blah.


Here's a pic's from my trip today~

My friend, Tracie. Isn't she cute!

The old houses they converted into shops

Cajun/Creole Cafe (owner's are from New Orleans)

Cute chick bell ornaments for my Easter tree. They were 60% off! I got them for pratically nothing!!!


My Powder Room sign that I've already put in our Shabby Chic bedroom. Sorry I'm not going to show off my bedroom until I'm finished. I just painted my mahagony sleigh bed white. It's AWESOME!!! I'm going to buy new bedding this weekend. I have a trunk I'm going to paint Shabby Chic white also. I'll post pic's soon of the transformations.


I got these the other day & thought I would share. These are for my Shabby Chic bedroom. I got the pillow and bird house last week. I love them!!!

Check out my new Audubon bird prints. I just had them framed at Aaron Brothers. Our bedroom is going to be green and white. I love the color green! They will go above our bed. I'm going to ask my hubby to hang them this weekend. I can't wait to see them up on the wall.

Easy Gumbo Recipe

Jill, here's one of my favorite Gumbo recipes. The key in making a good pot of Gumbo is in the Roux. These days I don't have much time to spend in the kitchen so I'm jumping for joy that I came across this easy Gumbo recipe. It's a crock pot Gumbo & it tastes awesome!!! I think y'all will love it.

Chicken & Shrimp Crock Pot Gumbo

Ingredients
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons oil ( I use olive oil)
1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
3/4 to 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, cut in bite-size pieces
1 1/2 to 2 cups frozen cut okra
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup frozen medium shrimp, cleaned and cooked
1 1/2 cups uncooked regular long-grain white rice
3 cups chicken broth

1.) In small saucepan, combine flour and oil; mix well. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring constantly, about 8 to 12 minutes or until mixture turns a light red-brown.

2.) Place flour and oil mixture in 3 1/2 to 4-quart crock pot. Stir in all remaining ingredients except shrimp, rice, and broth. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours.

3.) Add cooked shrimp to the gumbo; mix well. Cover and continue to cook on LOW for 20 minutes longer. Meanwhile, cook rice in the broth according to package directions. Serve gumbo over the hot cooked rice.

This is a great recipe for a busy weekend

My New Bird Feeder

I'm so excited about my newest find. I found this great bird feeder on the Twiggery site. It'll look great out on my patio. I already have two tea cup bird feeders so now it'll look like a set. Y'all I have to tell you about our newest pet. About a week ago a red Cardinal landed in my hanging flower pot. We have two sets of french doors that lead out to the patio. My husband likes to come home and sit in his chair next to the french doors and watch television while he's working on the laptop. Every night around 8:30 pm we hear chirping. He goes crazy and yells at my hubby to turn the lamp off. My husband turns it off and it stops. My husband thought it was cute the first two nights but now it's been almost a week and it's getting pretty old. He says it's ridiculous that a bird is running his house. It's so funny!!!

Who's your favorite Mom?

Since Mother's Days is around the corner I thought it would be fun to ask who's your favorite T.V. mom's?

Who is your favorite cartoon mom? Mine is Jane Jetson. Growing up I loved watching the Jestons. In the summer, when I was a girl, I would hurry after swim class and ride by bike 4 blocks so I wouldn't miss my show. I thought Jane Jetson was beautiful, classy, and fun. She's definitely my favorite cartoon mom by far.

Who is your favorite T.V. mom? My favorite is Samantha off of Bewitched. I think she's really funny and sweet. And how cool would it be with a mom that had special powers? Samantha is my all time favorite T.V. mom.

Who is your favorite movie mom? I love Ellen Griswold off of Lampoon's Vacation movies. She is the ultimate mom. I love it when she looks at Clark Griswold and says, "Sparky." She's hilarious.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

To paint or not to paint?

Ok, I'm struggling with a dilemma. Perhaps you lovely ladies could help me. We are in the process of remodeling the house. In the process of choosing colors I'm trying to rearrange our furniture so I can get rid of things I don't want. Here's the problem....I have this antique wardrobe that my hubby and I bought back in New Orleans when we were first married. It was one of the only pieces that survived Katrina so it's very sentimental. I consider the big scratch it's badge of honor.

I also placed a few things I kept as gifts from friends and hubby that represent Paris. My husband and I got in engaged in Paris and spent part of our honeymoon there also. Again, sentimental. The wall behind the wardrobe is going to be painted a cream color so the wood stains won't compete once it's painted. Should I paint my wardrobe or leave it the way it is? I have some other pieces that mismatch so I'm painting it a shabby chic black. You know where it looks a bit worn. Do you think I should paint the wardrobe as well? I really don't know what to do. My poor wardrobe has definitely seen better days. And what do you think about the old picture above it? Any suggestions?

On a Mission

Oh, I just love this time of year when everything is blooming. Walking on the greenbelts I can smell the sweet fragrance of honey suckle. And my neighbor has a Gardenia blooming next to my driveway. But what I love the most about the South is the gorgeous Magnolia trees. We have two in our front yard. They are so beautiful! Messy but beautiful. I have to pick up leaves every other day but it's worth it.

I'm absolutely in love with this Magnolia china. First Lady Laura Bush picked it out and now it resides at the White House. Does anyone have any big time connections up there on Capital Hill? LOL!!! I would love to own that set. I've been googling and surfing the net for something like it but came up empty handed. If y'all come across a Magnolia set keep me in mind. I'm on a mission to find one.

Nifty Thrifty

I just met a wonderful gal, Tracie, who lives only a few blocks from me. She loves Shabby Chic and is incredible when it comes to painting furniture. We really hit it off and last Thursday we drove all over creation and found some great thrift shops. A few were a bit scary but I did find some great deals. You really have to dig through some unusual stuff (and I'm not talk'n about cool and hip but T-A-C-K-Y). I now I've seen where all of our crazy relatives tacky disgusting gifts go to die, LOL! Y'all, they had a stuffed armadillo. Who would put a stuffed armadillo in their house? Not only was it a stuffed armadillo but a stuffed armadillo holding a Coors Light beer can. That's when you know you're in a good thrift store, LOL!

So here are some of my deals ~

A bought this crate box for $7.00 and used it as a planter. It now resides on my front porch. I bought the little white terracotta bird for $1.50.

I picked up this cute little bird clock for $14.00

I found these cute little copper bunny & rooster for my kitchen for $1.00 each

And I purchased this old tapestry for only $2.00

It was so much fun, y'all. We had a blast. We are thinking of heading over to Old Spring in a couple of weeks. Anyone been to old town Spring, Texas?