Oh, Pardon Me, I Did Not Mean To Intrude

On Sunday I pulled the weeds in the planting beds outside the office. I usually plant the flowers in the Spring and did not want to leave them flowerless this year just because I leaving.

I get to the big Cedar tree that has a bunch of Virgina Creeper growing up it and get busy pulling it down, well this little Robin is very unhappy about it and starts to Make loud Robin sounds.
It has a nest and protests loudly about my gardening. All of a sudden the other Robin comes at me. I notice that there is a nest and let go of the vine and plop to the ground. This a pretty busy street and police are very common. It just so happens that a police car is driving by at the same exact time that I fall. Oh great!
He stops and questions me thinking I am drunk or crazy. I mean, I am gardening on a busy street in Northern, VA, I am covered in dirt and falling to the ground. I explain everything he looks at like I am crazy and goes on. Thanks Robins, thanks.

I saved the best Robin picture for Friday's Five Photos. come back in the morning to see it!

I'm Not Going To Cry... I'm Not Going To Cry....

My coworkers are so sweet to me. We are practically family. I will miss all of them so so much. I will be back in December to work on a specific project, but it will not be the same. I won't see them everyday like I have for the last six years.

They brought me a strawberry cream cake, yum!

Took me to dinner at a lovely restaurant.

We talked and laughed and really had a fantastic time.

They gave me presents

Thank you for everything both C family's, the H family, the three little ones that I will miss so very much, KL and everyone else that I have become close to. See you in December!! Just so you know...

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.”

Who is kidding.. I cried.

My Morning View

Yesterday's post at Rue's PB & J Life made me realize that I needed to show you something that I will miss very much. The view from my bedroom window.

When I am ready to go to sleep each night I turn off the light and then open the curtains so that this is my first view each morning. I really love it. I wish I would have taken a picture when it was snowing, talk about nice.
I am excited to see what my next view will be! Luckily, I can make my view anything I want at the next place and I am thinking Morning Glories. Lots and lots of Morning Glories. They are my favorite flower.

Downsizing the Wardrobe and Gross, Just Gross!

This weekend I went through all my clothes and shoes and decided to give away anything that had not been worn in a year or any shoes with dust on them. Man I have a lot of clothes that I have not worn in a year and I am so ashamed of this!

All dusty!!
I put the clothes down in the laundry room of my building

When I returned an hour later half the clothes were gone

I am pretty proud of myself, it was a hard thing to do but I did it.

Swap Suprises

I joined a Spring swap a few weeks ago over at Bakow Babble and my swap buddy was Angi at Funky Bag Freak . I am so lucky to have gotten such a sweet swap buddy! Take a look at all the cute things she sent me.

A sweet pea pillow! She made it!

Note cards!

Watkins lotions and lip balm!

Cute towels!

Godiva Chocolates and a Hoops and Yoyo card!!

Angi, You are so thoughtful and I am so glad to have you as my swap buddy thank you, thank you, thank you. Thanks to Cherie for hosting the swap too.

Friday's Five Photos

Photos I have taken this month

Spring Starflower

Sounds like a good Hippie Name. I took this picture in a church yard near my house and then immediately started to research it. I have never in my life seen a white flower with black stripes.

Ipherion uniflorum, is a native of South America in areas of Peru and Argentina. Spring Starflower is a vigorous, clump-forming bulbous perennial that has onion-like leaves and uniquely shaped, white or blue-violet fragrant flowers that resemble stars.

You may now carry on with your day.

New Address Book

Isn't it cute!! I don't want to lose touch with one single friend when I move so purchased a new address book. Kelly made it for me and it is so cute. I picked out my own pattern and she lovingly made it for me by hand. I love things that are crafted with care and this certainly was.

Go by and say hi to Kelly at her blog posted up above or go to her Esty Shop.

When I add information in to my address book I always write everything in pencil so that I can easily change the entry if the person moves or get married. I hate having to cross out things.

My Favorite Chicken Salad and Labeling Food at a Party

This is the chicken salad recipe that I make for showers or daytime parties. It is always a favorite. I print copies of the recipe to hand out because everyone always requests a copy. If you make it I suggest you also make copies on cute paper and hand them out if there is a request. It is that good, trust me.

Chicken Salad with Bacon & Grapes
Ingredients:
· 3 cups cooked diced chicken
· 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
· 1 can (8oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained
· 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
· 1 cup seedless green grapes, halved
· 1 - 1 1/4 cup mayonnaise
· 1 tablespoon parsley, fresh or dried
· 2 tablespoons finely minced green onions
· 1 teaspoon lemon juice
· 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
· Dash or two Worcestershire sauce
· salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:Combine first chicken, bacon, water chestnuts, celery, and grapes in a large bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients; combine with chicken mixture, using as much or as little as necessary to moisten as desired. You may add a little more mayonnaise if you like a creamier salad. Chill and stir again before serving.

Tell me what you think and take pictures!

I usually serve it on ciabatta rolls that I get at Trader Joe's. I was not near a one when I made this for a shower last August so I had to use a chunky ciabatta rolls, we all turned them into open face sandwiches. The bread was just too tough.

Labeling Food At a Party

Have you ever been to a party and skipped trying something because you had no idea what it was? I certainly have. I always make up cards and place them near the tray so everyone knows what is being served. It is also another chance to add cute decorations to the table.

Sunday on the Chesapeake Bay

I went to visit a friend in Maryland on Sunday. Their home is right on the Chesapeake and I took a couple shots to share with you. It was rather gray out but I think a rainy day near the water can be relaxing.

I made the roasted potatoes and brussels sprouts that I posted about before and pea salad. My friend's husband made grilled orange honey chicken and mudslides. I had never had a mudslide before, it was pretty darn tasty.

Pass On the Plastic Please

If you know me at all, you know that I hate plastic bags with a passion. I would rather carry things in my arms than take a plastic bag. OK, I will stop being preaching (for now).

Anyway....

I am going to the Del Ray farmer's market this morning with my new shopping bags. They are called Envirosax. I love that they roll up into a little tiny package and can be thrown in my purse. When I need them they hold a massive amount of stuff and they are sturdy.

The most important thing about they is that they are darling.

Have a lovely weekend!

Friday's Five Photos

Photos I have taken over the years.

I Think I'll Miss You Most of All

Dear small dining room,

I will miss you. You have been my favorite room the entire time I have lived in this place. You have hosted a few parties, watched the family play games and talk over dinner. You have put up with so many changes over the years and not once complained.

Notice the lack of window treatments. For the first two years, I did not even put up curtains. Poor thing. And the the suitcases on the floor? I am not sure why I even took this picture, but now I am glad I did.


Yes, they are licking their plates. No, I did not mind it was my sister's birthday and we had such a fun silly time that night. I am glad I snapped a few shots.

Thanks so much for all the fun,

Ali

Fawn Lake

My good friend MB invited me to her sister's lake house to celebrate Easter this Sunday. The house is on Fawn Lake in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. I had such a lovely time! We relaxed, talked, and then relaxed some more. We had a fantastic dinner of salad, steak, roasted potatoes, asparagus and dessert.

The view from the Living Room Window

Look at that blooming tree against the blue blue sky!




We took a boat ride around the lake and got to see more pretty views

The kids fished off the dock. They caught quite a few fish! All the fish were small so they went back into the lake to be caught another day.

I want to thank MB and the H family very much for having me over for the holiday!!