My "Visit" with Paula Deen!

Before I "introduce" you to Paula Deen (lol), I just wanted to make a few "service announcements." First, I want to thank everyone who took part in last week's Poll, in relation to making weekly memes into monthly memes. The vote was pretty close, but I decided that for now - I will hold all my Events on a monthly basis. It's just easier for me right now with my busy work schedule.....so I hope you understand. I will keep the dates of all future Events at the top of the blog as a reminder. I look forward to everyone's participation.

The next What's on Your Wall Wednesday will be next week, June 10th.


The next Porch and Patio Party will be the following week on June 17th.

And, the next Tea Time Tuesday will be on June 23rd.

Mark your calenders, and feel free to grab the logos to place on your sidebar, so others will know that you participate in these events.

So, as many of you know...Mr Grits and I went out of town for a few days to Tunica, Mississippi. We stayed at Harrah's - a casino and resort. While we did not come back with any great wins, I had a spectacular time. Best of all, I did not even realize what was in store for me.

(Remember that all pics can be enlarged by clicking on them)

I was excited that we would be able to eat at the new "Paula Deen Buffet." It is her pilot store, and from what I saw it is ahuge success. It happened to be the One-Year Anniversary.

This is the outside of The Paula Deen Buffet and Store. You have to go through the store to enter the restuarant. It looks like this was taken outside at night, but it is inside.

At one end of the restaurant is a beautiful rotunda dining room. I was not able to get pictures of the inside of the resturant. I did not think the people dining would appreciate that I was taking their pics. But, it was equally beautiful. They said that she personally chose the fabrics and tables/chairs and antique hutchs, etc.

Well hello Paula! I wish I had $1 for everyone who posed with this cutout to have their picture taken with Paula. Then, I might have made some money on this trip. LOL

The store was simply beautiful. It was a bonus that everything in there was just my style.

Her dishes were 40% off. Good thing we flew there and I had no extra suitcase room.

I mentally spent about $1000 as I walked around. I love the red and white "Towel" bin.

Does this look familiar to all you Paula Deen fans? This area was modeled after her own kitchen on her show.

I love this rooster painting above the hearth cooking oven.

Okay, I can hear all you plate and toile lovers taking gasps of air. I was drawn to these like a paperclip to a magnet.

Needless to say.....regardless that we had flown there and only had one suitcase and a carry on...these beauties were going home with me. I got a set of 4, and will showcase them later in the week.

I did not get the matching cannisters....but I heart them!

These tee's just cracked me up. I had to get the "Butter" one and brought some home as gifts.

The Buffet had the most awesome desserts, and she sold them in her store as well.

Don't these make your mouth water? I probably do not need to tell you that my diet was totally blown! LOL

Here are the lovely pewter and stainless measuring cups....just like Paula uses on her cooking show.

This about says it all!

I wanted to lick this wall it looked so yummy. I love those square blue plates.

Hello my lovelies!

LOL! This came home in my suitcase, too.

So after I had done all the shopping my credit card could afford...I went back outside to sit on the front porch to wait for Paula.

Keep in mind that this was an unscheduled visit....and I had only learned of her visit a few hours earlier from a Blackjack dealer. I tipped him well. LOL

I was like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to arrive. I am a huge Paula fan!

But finally she arrived with her party. I recognized her husband, Michael, right away. But, it took me a few minutes to spot Paula amongst the group she was with. She was wearing this cute, pink hat that said "Hey Y'all!", and her signature jeweled reading glasses.

(sorry the pics of Paula are not that good)

Like any mild-mannered Southern woman, I pushed and shoved my way right up to her. ;-)

I told her about my cookbook, and she said she loved the name and told me to send her a copy.

(I know, I know....somehow I think Paula Deen has more on her mind and schedule than sitting around waiting for a copy of my cookbook. LOL)

In this pic above, I was trying to convince her to give me a set of her plates because I was her biggest fan. :-D I got her to sign four copies of her magazine. One for me, one for my Mom, one for my Sis, and one for my Aunt. We are all fans!

Now Michael was a hoot! He was just a big Teddy Bear. I asked if I could have my pic made with him, and he just grabbed me and snuggled right up to me. He is just as sincere as he appears on TV. I asked him if Paula was as funny and vivacious in real life as she was on TV. He said...quote - "Oh honey, they have to edit out a lot of stuff." And he just gave a big laugh. He was kidding around with all us women.

Paula was laughing and talking and thanking eveyone for coming. She seemed like an everyday person. She was not all dolled up like I thought she would be. Here's the funny part...Mr Grits and I had to get up the next morning at 5am so we could go down and grab some quick breakfast and catch the shuttle to the airport. The casino had a food court. There were not that many people there at 5am. But, guess who was there? Paula and Michael! She said they had been up all night gambling. And I could tell that she had because she had on the same clothes. LOL

But I had one more treat in store later that night after I met Paula. I went to see a concert with...

Vince Gil!!!!! WOOHOO! Our casino host asked upon our arrival if I wanted tickets and I almost tackled her in my excitement. I had pretty good seats. Paula and her family were sitting in the front rows and Vince kept picking on her. He said at one time after he plucked a few "off" keys...."my guitar is squeaky...does anyone have any butter?" It was too funny.

It was a great 2 hour concert.

So I hope you have enjoyed seeing my trip to Tunica, Mississippi. I might not have come home with any winnings, but I brought back some great memories....and some awesome plates!!! LOL

Have a great week dear friends.....Barb

Sunday Favorites...an Office Makeover and Floral Project

I am trying to get back into the groove of blogging after being away for more than a week. This is not a new post - but Sunday Favorites is a way for me to showcase an older post.

Sunday Favorites is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely and always entertaining Chari at Happy to Design. You can see a full list of all the particpants who are sharing Oldie but Goodie posts. Please hop on over for a relaxing Sunday afternoon of reminiscing.

Welcome to My 2nd Metamorphosis Monday

sponsored by

Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

Please visit her blog to see a full list of all Met Monday participants, as well as, Susan's fantastic blog. You'll be so glad you did!

So why did I name my post "Two-fer" Met Monday? You've all heard of a "two-fer" haven't you? "Two fer the Price of One?" Well, that's what you're getting today. Two Before and Afters's in one post.

I am also breaking away from my home to share with you my second home. My home away from home...the home that allows me to pay for all the pretties in my first home...the home I can't wait to leave at the end of the day to head home...my office.

In July 2008, I made the decision to start my own Real Estate firm. It was a five year goal and I was on tract - and more than ready. I purchased a small office building instead of renting. The purchase price was "as-is," and the Seller was mighty proud of how he had furnished and decorated it. Below is how it looked when it was purchased.

The ink where I signed my name on the deed was not even dry when I started painting and re-decorating. :-) The area you see is the large waiting area when you first enter the office. There are three larger offices and a conference room.

THE BEFORE

I painted a warm, neutral color - sorry but I cannot for the life of me remember the color as I type. I salvaged the desks, but otherwise all the furniture was sold on Craigslist. Other than the two wing back chairs which I purchased on sale for $150 each at JoAnn's, I did some "in-home" shopping, and this is what I was able to pull together in about a weekend - with the help of my sweet Hubby, my Mom and Dad and friends. We have spents numerous hours in our fair share of waiting rooms. Buying a home can be a scary process - so I wanted my clients to feel at ease and " home" while they were waiting.

THE AFTER

I needed something to go on each side of the print above the distressed, white cabinet. This is one of my favorite prints that I own. I love all things botanical. This used to hang in my former office, but when hung alone in the new office - it looked very insignificant. So, I searched in my basement and garage for items I already had. Nothing seemed to do any justice to the print. Then, I remembered two metal grates I had purchased at Michael's at a year end sale, for about $6 bucks each. I bought them simply because they were on sale, but didn't have any clue what I would do with them. (Oh please....don't even pretend you've never done THAT before!) :-)

THE PLAIN GRATE BEFORE

They just looked too plain against the wall.. I wanted something with some "umph."

I like umph. Umph can be your friend.

I also had two metal planters.

THE PLAIN PLANTERS BEFORE...

They were very similar in color tone. hmmmmm.....the gears in my mind started churning....(and there is no telling what will happen when that starts!)

Using some ordinary floral wire....I attached the planters to the fronts of the grates.

It then looked like this...

I am famous for saving wreaths and baskets for recycling the florals. My attic is filled with them, I never throw them away. And this was a time which called for recycling like no other. My decorating budget was....well....$0.00

I tore apart a wreath and a floral arrangement, too...and started filling the containers.

This is what I ended up with....

But, it needed one more thing. You see - here in the South - a floral arrangement or wreath ain't completely finished 'til you've added "the moss." I added a few wisps of Spanish moss for texture and softness. It was the perfect finishing touch.

THE AFTER

And here is how they look now, hanging next to my favorite dragonfly and botanical print.

In case you're wondering...although I am a huge fan of Creedence Clearwater Survival (its an old Southern band in case you didn't know LOL) - that is not what the three letters on the wall stand for. It's my business name - Crossroads Carolina Realty.

(By the way....my logo reads "...where all roads lead to home!"

Here is my business logo....

Here are some more views of the waiting area...

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of my office, and also my floral project. Thank you, Susan, for hosting Met Monday.

Happy Home Away From Home....Barb

Taking a Little Bloggy Break...

Hi Guys! I'm sorry I have been MIA this week. I am just a little overwhelmed at work right now. So...I am going to take a little extended Bloggy Break through this week, and hopefully I will be caught up and have more time for my favorite hobby - blogging. (That darn paying job gets in the way of ALL my fun!) :-/

I do have something exciting that happened to me over the weekend, and I promise I will blog about it and share all my pics. I met Paula Deen and her husband. They were at the casino in Tunica. I was able to talk to her and get her autograph (four times) and we had about a 30 second chat about my cookbook. Then, I chatted with her husband, Michael. He was a charmer and a hoot, too. I have pics and will tell you all about it...and my visit to the Paula Deen Store. (Oh my!)

Until then - please know I am thinking of you all and wishing each of you well. I'll talk (or should I say Blog) to you soon.

Hugs, Barb

Remembering Those Who Served...

I have always had a hard time saying "Happy" Memorial Day....as in "Happy" Fourth of July, or "Happy" Valentine's Day. For I know throughout the country, there are many families who are mourning the loss of a loved one...and have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

To, me its not just a day off from work - or a day at the beach. I am grateful and heartfelt for the many sould throughout our country's history who have paid the price of freedom. I think on a day to day basis - we forget how blessed we are to love in a country where we are free to live and worship without harm or wrong doing.

With the tears a Land hath shedTheir graves should ever be green.~Thomas Bailey Aldrich

On Memorial Day - we are not Republicans or Democrats, we are not Methodists or Catholics, we are not even Irish-Americans, or African-Americans....(etc)

On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation! ~Thomas William Parsons

We are just Americans.

For love of country they accepted death... ~James A. Garfield

As the wife of someone who served in the Marine Corps for 30 years and two wars...and the mother and mother-in-law of two Army Soldiers who have each served two tours in Iraq...I know how extremely lucky I am that my loved ones have not paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I honor those who have....and pray they find strength and courage to carry on without their loved ones on this earth.


Please never forget the reason we enjoy our freedoms. Thank a servicemember or a Veteran for their service.

On this Memorial Day......I remember.....

Tablescape Thursday

Just a note: Because I am still on a Bloggy Break, and because there were so many problems in Blogland last week - I decided to simply re-post last week's tablescape. Hope you don't mind.
:-)


Welcome to Tablescape Thursday. This wonderful event is hosted by Blogland's own Dish Queen, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Please stop by her site to enjoy her own weekly tablescape, and see a full list of all the other Terrific Tablescapers.

So....its official. I truly have a sickness. We are leaving for a 4-day trip early tomorrow morning and to make matters worse....I am swamped at work, have not even began the packing process, need to clean the kitchen...I still need to call/email all my clients....etc, etc. So I said to myself: "Self, DO NOT even think about doing a tablescape this week. No, nada, no can do!" Self promised to myself I would not. So what did I do?

I created a tablescape....of course! :-D

(Remember that all pictures can be clicked on to enlarge)

It's all Kathysue's fault this week. When we ladies met last week in Asheville, we each exchanged gifts. That was never the plan, we just showed up with gifts for each other. One of the gifts I got from Kathysue was this darling set of salt and pepper shakers.

I know all you rooster lovers are drooling right now. Aren't they lovely? I have gotten rid of much of my rooster accessories, but saved some items and one set of dishes. These are a perfect addition!!!

The second I unwrapped them, I knew the exact tablescape I would create.

Using these dishes! It's as if they were made for each other. Aren't these handpainted plates lovely? I also wanted to try something that has been running through my mind for a while. I wanted to make runners using burlap fabric and a black marker....

.... and write sayings in French! (I will show more detail further down) I frayed the edge of the burlap, then layered the runners over a red, green and gold striped fabric.

I added Mr. Rooster (Le Coq) and Mrs. Hen (La Poule)...and added hydrangeas and hollyhocks. The small "eggs" are French-milled lavender scented soaps. I love how they resemble eggs.

Here is a larger shot of the hen and rooster centerpiece.

I simply used a black marker to write the words in a random pattern...in varying sizes.

At Hancock Fabrics, a yard of craft weight fabric depicting the tablescape theme was the perfect compliment to the dishes when used as napkins. The folded napkin was placed between a wicker charger and the handpainted Rooster plate. A length of black and white polka-dot ribbon added another whimsical layer and pulled in the black.

I love how the texture of the woven charger compliments the rustic feel of the burlap runner.

I loosely wrapped gold filigree wire around the stems of each wine glass. Why? hmm.....good question. I just thought it would be kinda cool. (does that count as a reason?) :-)

I am sooo glad I saved this set of rooster plates. They were just too pretty to give away. Now I am so glad I kept them because I have a wonderful Salt and pepper set to go with them.

I bought these large wine glasses at Pier 1 at an after-Fall sale for only $2 ea.

My handmade curly-end utensils are perfect for my rustic, Frenchy table.

Do you see what's on the bottom middle of the table? The ole' fruit tart. LOL I think it has become my trademark.

This shows a better view of the handwritten burlap runners.

A pottery wine jug is dressed with a length of tasseled fringe.

I love the raised embossed edges of the plates.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Rustic French Tablescape. It was really fun to put together. The only expense involved was $3.99 for a yard of burlap, and $8 for 2 yards of striped fabric from the remnant sale table. Everything else came from a shopping trip throughout my home.

Now I really must go....I have an empty suitcase waiting for me to pack. Have a lovely weekend everyone. Blessings Dear Friends....Barb