So excited to be featured in an Etsy Treasury!

These teacups are so adorable and they were featured in an Etsy Treasury!  I hate to sell them as they would look so cute in my lil' vintage hutch, but I should.  I am hitting too many vintage shops and collecting too many goodies!

Vintage, Shabby Chic light blue/teal and creme, floral pattern - set of four tea cup and saucers

Be sure to check out the rest of my vintage goodies and a few handmade treasures at my Etsy shop ...

Also check out my design blog at www.kathleenannedesigns.blogspot.com ...

have an amazing day!

Another School Year, Already????

It's the beginning of August and my youngest has started school!  That's crazy!  It's earlier and earlier every year.  I think they used to start early due to the farming schedule, but let's face it, unfortunately there isn't much farming anymore so???  It's just not right.  The weather is finally perfect pool weather and people are still having great BBQ's and more.

I think I am more bitter about school starting earlier this year as this is the last year of school for my youngest daughter  as she will be a senior in high school!  A senior!!!?????  Didn't she just start preschool?  Weren't we just at Field Day for her 3rd grade class?  What's happening?  Were we too busy chasing the next biggest dream to slow down and really enjoy it?  Or is it really true that time flies as we get older?  I think my daughter is feeling the same things as she said she still feels so little.  This last year, I think it will be imperative to enjoy the little things in life and spend more time together doing, maybe, nothing -  talking, sharing, just being together!

I am going to have to make sure I do this as.... at the same time, my oldest daughter will be a senior in college!!!  Holy moly!  They will both be ending a chapter and beginning a new one!  It's absolutely crazy, crazy, crazy!  I am so excited for them, but we all know it's such a bittersweet time in life.

And, then, there's all the things I have to do... sell a family home as I won't need it and I am so ready to downsize to a little cottage in the foothills of Colorado.  But, that means purging sooooo much stuff and deciding what to do with it all.  Ahhhhhhhh.... I wish I could ignore it, and I suppose I could and just live in the house longer, but I am too excited to move on with my life, too.  Empty nester issues?  Not me!!!!!  Having been a single mom for so long has been tough, so this is my new chapter, too!  I am approaching it with so much excitement.  Probably too much, so it's going to be really important to slow down and enjoy this last monumental year in my girls' lives.

Happy new school year everyone Don't let the early start end your summer.  Try to let the kids stay up a smidge later than normal and continue to eat smores and savor the summer nights (we know it's too dang hot to enjoy the days!).  The first few weeks of school, at least for littler one's moves at a slower pace, so let them enjoy the season still.  Enjoy each and every moment... take more pictures, save more artwork and volunteer as much as you can!  You won't regret it.  

have an amazing day!

My design blog... up and running....

I'm excited to finally get to my design blog... if you get a chance, hop on over and see what I am up to.... 

Kathleen Anne Designs where you will find vintage, upcycled, handcrafted and repurposed goodies!

have an amazing day!

Fabulous Friday!

My daughter's Cheerleading team had a fabulous banquet a couple of Friday's ago. So today, I thought I would post some pictures of that wonderful event that my honey and I attended in Lily's honor. The girls dressed up and looked amazing!  They are all incredibly beautiful and fun-loving girls.  They are talented beyond belief and so devoted to what they do!

 

 

I volunteered to do the table decorations for the tables the girls were going to be sitting at.  The banquet was for Varsity and JV cheer.  I was so thrilled to use my creative talents to make something that would be fun, as well as a little gift for each girl.  

I took pictures of the girls and made crepe paper rosettes with their picture in the middle. Then, I had these small boxes that I covered in pictures of the teams... in the boxes, I loaded them up with Dove chocolates.  I put these in cellophane bags and made them all pretty.













         

I then designed and created each of the girls a scrabble tile key chain in a cheer theme with matching glass beads.  

I made 54 of these goodies and then placed them in the middle of the tables along with lose candy, shimmery streamers and lots of confetti.

The parents and girls loved these!  It was a joy for me to make them even if I didn't allow nearly enough time.  I spent two weeks straight, but I still could have used more time.  The story of my life, hee, hee.  It was fun to use my talents as I haven't been able to find the time or energy to do so in a while. 

I'm so blessed and I am always thrilled to play an active daily role in my girls lives.  A day doesn't go by when I don't think about how I can help them or do something for them.  A mother's love runs deep and never ends, does it?  My older daughter, who is a junior in college, is growing into her own woman.  I love watching this happen and sharing this with her.  She calls me several times a day to ask for advice, share her joys and sorrows or just chat.  It won't matter how old the girls get, I will always be by their side.

It's been a bumpy road over the last few years for the girls and I, but the joyous times are starting to out-weigh those horrible moments and recede further back in our minds.   

So, enjoy another fabulous Friday and make it a wonderful weekend!  Maybe you can find something creative to do for someone else... I know it fills me with joy! 

have an amazing day! 

Welcome to 2011!

A new year?  Crazy, I say!  Where did last year go?  I feel like I can't keep up with how fast time is going.  I feel like there are way too many things to do and so little time.  Don't we all feel that way?  Why, why is it like this?  Is it just because we are getting older, is it because I have too many ideas and things I was to do and then, because my mind gets on overload, I end up getting nothing done?  Or is it because I am a bad planner?  Okay, it's probably all of these things!

So, do I make a resolution to get more organized or resolve to get more focused?  Hmmmm.... let me think about that for oh... did I tell you I am a procrastinator?  Ugh!  Yep, that's me!  I think I need to focus on planning and doing instead of thinking about doing it and pondering how, when and why!

I have spent the last few days browsing the web and trying to find a system that would work for me.  I have found nothing earth shattering.  I think I just need to get my day planner out and schedule things.  I also need to step away from the computer more often.  But, I'm addicted.  I admit it!  argh!  This is going to be rough.  Very rough!

I have a couple more weeks before my classes start and I am eager to get things done.  I have started getting my studio area more organized and have decided to get rid of the supplies I just won't use anymore.  I have to do this.  I am overwhelmed with stuff.  My whole house is filled with stuff.  After my divorce and having to deal with all the material items we owned, it is time to purge.  To donate, sell and just throw away.  I have started to do that and it feels amazing.  So freeing.

My list of things I want to achieve in the new year are overwhelming.  Some of the items rolling around my head are:

• expand my creative business
• keep my full-time schedule of classes in school
• get our house ready to sell in about a year which entails painting, repairing, purging things
• ride my bike more this year (last year the weather made it difficult along with my silly illnesses)
• spend more time playing in the kitchen

What are your plans for this fresh new year?  Do you have a great system that keeps you organized?  Do you make resolutions?  How about an accountibility buddy?  Does that help?

I do know that baby steps are the way to go.  Start small and don't overwhelm yourself... 

So, what are you waiting for?  Let's get started and do it!!!!

have an amazing day and make it an incredible new year!

Where is Christmas?

It's in a week!!!!  Isn't that crazy?  It always happens to fast!  This year, it seems like it's more enjoyable as I think I have absolutely lowered my expectations.  We are keeping the holidays very simple.  My girls don't care about the gifts and "stuff", they are really more interested in relaxing.  I think that everywhere around them is hustling and bustling, so they are content just being home and together!

Frankly, I love it!  I love just hanging at home with my girls and my honey!  We have been making gifts and sweets to give to friends and family.  I haven't really had to hit the stores and I won't ever have to go to the mall, which I despise.

Life is incredible when you slow down and enjoy it!

Enjoy your friends and family for who they are and embrace the moments you can spend time together...

Happy holidays to you and your family!!!

Where did my babies go?

Where did my little girls go?

Time keeps rolling along so quickly and, at times, it's hard to remember the past.  

As I read this post from a fellow blogger, I got teary eyed... I do remember... I remember the innocence and wonder my little girls had.  I wish that I knew then what I know now.  I would have stopped worrying about the house and the other silly details of life that weren't important and just enjoy each and every moment with my girls.  Fortunately, I was able to stay at home with my girls while they were young; however, I was young and naive.  I thought my role as wife and mother was to keep a perfect home, cook a perfect meal, volunteer in the community helping others and keep the life for my husband easy so he could focus on his career.  I know now that I should have been doing the opposite.  I did all of it and it took a toll on me. 

In the end, my marriage of 18 years fell apart (we won't go there as to the real reason - sometimes, you can't change someone who will inevitably stray!) and my life as I knew it was changed in an instant.  It also took a toll on my health as I have acquired many health issues that are "silent".  No one can see the pain I live with or the disease I have that could take my life.  Fortunately, my life is better than it ever was.  I am with the love of my life and my girls are happy and healthy and thriving.  I live with a smile on my face and my chin forever up.  My glass is still half full, in fact, overflowing!  I have amazing friends and family who have supported us through the worst of times and now enjoy the best of times with us!

Today, after reading about this darling little girl who had found a new joy in books, I was reminded blessed I have been in my life.  My girls are still full of wonder and hope.  They have been given a great foundation in life and they are happy and healthy.  They are positive young ladies with a huge wild world ahead of them. 

I am blessed to have wonderful memories even if I feel like I could have done more, which is silly as I was always there for them and need to remember that they are who they are because of my love for them.  My girls had a great life growing up, for the most part.  And, now after some horrific turmoil, they have a wonderful life again.  We have great memories with few regrets.  I don't believe in regrets as I have seen too many people be burdened by regrets and it's hard to be happy when you feel regretful, angry or hurt.  I have instilled the love of life in my girls which includes enjoying the moment and believing in the future.

As Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

 

Dream a little dream every day!!!!

   



To read this fellow blogger's post click here:  Sweet innocence... fellow blogger's poignant post made me teary eyed!

“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.” 

 -Unknown

have an amazing day!
 

In this moment... Life stands still and...

I smile!!!

I am thinking about life! I am thinking right now how amazingly blessed I am! Even with a wicked trial coming up that has been turned into a huge trial due to my unbelievably sociopathic ex and his controlling wife... And even though I live in pain daily... And I wonder how I will continue to afford the rising cost of raising two kids on my own...

I can't stop smiling at the amazing fortune I have! And I don't mean monetary fortune! Money doesn't make you happy.  What makes me happy is having the love of family and friends! It's the security in knowing that you found your soul mate in life! It's the feeling that you get when a stranger thanks you for just smiling at them for no reason!

A week from today, my sweetie and I will be on our way to Hawaii to celebrate our commitment and love for each other... Forever together! We are committed to each other for life! Through the good times and the bad times! Knowing that neither one of us will ever hurt each other by a selfish act as with our previous spouses!

I smile today, as I will always know that I have raised two amazing daughters despite the circumstances that have been thrown our way! Everyday, the girls continue to amaze me with their unselfishness to those around them and their positive attitude toward the world!

I could go on and on with my gratefulness for all that I have! And, it's never the material possessions that make me happy.  However, instead, I will leave you to ponder all that you are grateful for... 

and remember to smile! 

For as they say, "a smile is worth a thousand words"!

time flies when you are having fun...

The weeks are just flying by!  The weekend was so rainy and cold - unusual for this time of year.  Everything is so green.  Fortunately, there wasn't any hail to destroy the few plants I have planted this year.  With my Fibro getting worse, I have had to back off on all that I do; therefore, this year, less flowers in the garden.

I do enjoy a little rain to keep me indoors and not out riding my bike.  I decided to put a printer tray to good use and am using it for my earrings.  I think it works very well.  I was tired of having to find earrings that never seemed to stay together in my jewelry drawer.  This is certainly a fun way to see what I have.

Well, it's off to class on this Monday morning.   Hopefully, the sun will come out and it will warm up later today.

Enjoy your Monday... what exciting things do you have planned for this summer day?

 

Schools out for Summer!

It's June.... where does time go?  Both my girls are home for the summer, looking for jobs.  My older gal just found one!  Yippee!  The younger gal, well, it's too hard out there to find a job.  That's okay.  She's busy with Cheerleading practices, already, and headed to a 4-day camp next week.  Then, back to town to get her license!  Ahhhhhh!  Car insurance, again... my older one just renewed hers on my account.  Where does it end... all the expenses of raising kids????

Oh well... they are amazing girls full of life and so much passion about their futures!  Me, too!  Back in school and loving it.  I am finally going to be able to focus on me and get a college degree.  Strange, but good.  The college scene is different than 30 years ago, that's for sure!

well, it's off to make dinner... Vietnamese Noodle Bowls... a request of my daughter.  Yum!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Happy Mother's Day sweet mom...

May you be dancing in heaven today and always!

Thank you for giving me life!

have an amazing day!

Wonderful Wednesday!

The weeks are flying by...  Spring is here... it's beautiful here in sunny Colorado...

I have been immersed in my classes at college.  It's the end of the school year for my girls and myself.  My girls and I have all accomplished so much!

I am so proud of my girls.  My oldest daughter was initiated last night into a Sorority, Delta Gamma.  It's one of the first woman's fraternities, founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi.  The cost, well, we won't talk about that.  First and foremost, the connections and benefits of working together for the community is the best thing about this sorority.  Sure there are parties and such, but not like the other sororities.  This sorority is amazing as far as community service and the amount of things the girls get to learn from this experience.  Just for initiation, I was asked to write a letter to my daughter and send flowers as it's a tradition.  It was a lovely surprise for my daughter.  She has been so excited to be initiated.  She has worked hard to be involved.  I am so proud of her!  Next year, she will live in the house as she has earned a spot there.  Most of the girls don't live there; however, they are required to live a minimum of two semesters in the house.  They have to work hard to earn that spot!  Fun times will be had.  The house mother is apparently a sweet caring woman.  I am sure this will be wonderful for my daughter.

Yesterday was also an exciting day for my younger daughter!  She tried out for cheer-leading at school all last week and final try-outs were last night - postponed from last Friday due to the snow storm we had.  Nervous and excited... she made it!  She is thrilled!  She loved cheer-leading as a child, but didn't continue.  Once her dad left, it was too hard for me to handle that along with the commitment to her sister's activities.  I am glad that her interest stayed with cheer-leading.  I was one in high-school and it was a great time.  Cheer-leading these days is a lot different from when I was one back in the day.  These days, you have to pay!  The expense is $800, up front and that doesn't include tumbling classes twice a week and other expenses associated with the competitions and such.  Phew!  I remember getting my wool skirt and top from the coach and then having to purchase saddle shoes.  That was it... done deal.  These days, there's several pairs of shorts, shirts, socks, etc. and, required warm ups at $125 bucks!!!!  There's JV Bonding camps and stunt camps, choreographers and more... that's an extra $300 bucks!  And, so much more!

Between the two girls, I will be designing, creating and selling this summer to cover those expenses... phew!!!  Crazy!!!!  I'll be sure to post anything and everything I have for sale on etsy.com, eBay.com, craigslist.com and... everywhere!  LOL!

The pride and joy of seeing your children succeed is the best thing in the world! 

Take a moment today to breathe and have an amazing day!

 

~ ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ ~

It s a rainy, foggy morning here in my part of the world... A good day for class, lots of homework, reports and exam results!  Ahhhhh...

for today enjoy this picture from one of my photography assignments.  The assignment was a photo essay... mine was the process of baking ~

Grating zucchini ~

Cracking the eggs ~

have an amazing day!

Merry Monday!

Merry Monday dear friends!

It probably seems like I have been missing in action... Well, I have!!!  Since starting college, I have been buried in books, clay, vo2 machines, digital cameras and more!  I love it, but I can't get to my home life at all!  I haven't been able to play on etsy or with my fabrics... or anything!  I was going to take a few summer classes, but I think I will take, possibly, ONE!

I have enjoyed taking classes immensly, but taking 15 credits with 3 online classes is pretty intense.  I have learned a few things for registering next year... which is in a few days.  Classes start August 16th for the fall session!  When will time slow down?  LOL!

The weather has been fairly nice in this part of the country.  However, we do have our share of wind in the spring.  So, I haven't hopped on my bike yet this season.  I was really sick the past two weeks with bronchitis, anyway.  This week is going to be crazy with school, again.  Yet, I really need to get out and play in the dirt.  The yard is trying to green up and there are things growing in the garden.  Spring is really here!  How refreshing!

Yesterday, my honey and I went on a hike with my nephew and his girlfriend.  My nephew just finished his second tour of duty in Iraq and is now going to be stationed here in Colorado.  I am so excited as this is the only relative of mine that is finally near me!  All of my family is on the east coast, so I have been alone in navigating some good and bad (extremely bad) times.  You never realize how much family means until you really need them!

We went on a fun hike... it was pretty mellow at first, but then... hee, hee... the adventurist in all of us wanted to keep going and decided that there must be a way to go around this big reservoir we were hiking by.  So, an hour later, hiking in thigh high snow at times, we made it.  The unknown was fun as well as sliding down boulders and hanging on to trees for fear of slipping down the mountain into the water!  I did get a gash on my leg from the snow, that was pretty much ice with tree limbs hidden by the snow.  We would be walking in this snow that was so icy, thigh high and feeling trees and such with our legs.  Of course, we were dressed for fair weather... LOL!  Oh well, it's still fun!

Well, I am off to finish some homework and get a head start on this weeks deadlines, which are many!  There's also a visit to court I get to make a week from today thanks to my ex... argh!  When does it end?  Six years of being divorced and...

Enjoy your Monday and make it merry!  I know I will....

have an amazing day!

Fabulous Friday find of the week....

Isn't this divine???  I picked up some vintage jewelry at my local thrift store near college and I would love to make something like this with my finds... 

We shall see.  I may just put it in my etsy.com shop instead.  I will have a lot of goodies to list for sale as my hunting expeditions have been very successful!

have an amazing day!

~ ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ ~

Livin' in a small western town...

 I had a photography assignment that was due today.  It was to take photos that represented a "sense of place".  I realized that after living in this small little town for the last 13 years, I have taken for granted what a truly small western town this is after taking an hours worth of photos.  I went right down to Main Street and looked at the town through the lens of my camera.  

What I found was that even with all the growth surrounding Main Street, we still have that small town feeling.  To me, it's harder to find that western small town feel all the time, but it still resembles a small western town ~

 

We actually still have cowboys.  I caught this man heading to the local real estate office.  Maybe looking for more land for his horses?

This is a historic home converted into an office (Engineering firm) ~

 I was bummed that I caught this too late, but this was a refurbished John Deere tractor being pulled by a big truck with the dually wheels... I could hear it coming, but I didn't expect the tractor.  Everyone out this way loves a big John Deere!

This is the Episcopal Church in the center of town and the brick path leading meandering through the grounds ~

Another historic home converted into a Veterinary clinic ~ 

 There aren't too many huge trees out this way.  It's just so dry out here.  I thought this was a great shot ~

~ ~ Enjoy ~ ~

Home Sweet Home!

Back to reality!  It's always a good thing coming home to my girls and critters, but it's soooo bad not waking up on the beach!  Oh well.  It will only be a few months until we go to Hawaii for our honeymoon!

We saw a few couples getting married at the resort we were staying at and it confirmed that we just really want to elope!  So, the fun begins for planning our wedding, just the two of us, in Hawaii!  I don't even know where to begin... fortunately, simplicity will make things incredibly easy!

Enjoy your Monday!  I'm off to reality... class and everything else!  How blessed I am!

Superbowl Sunday!

It is snowing lightly here and so a yummy, homemade tortilla soup was in order.  It was well received by my sweetie and daughter #2. I thought I would share my recipe.  I never can create the same thing twice, however, this time, I wrote it down...  enjoy!

Kathleen's Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 smoked jalapenos in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 (15 ounce) can rotel tomatoes
• 3 boxes organic chicken broth, I get it from Costco
• 1 cup whole corn kernels, frozen works well
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 boneless chicken breast halves, frozen
• crushed tortilla chips
• sliced avocado
• shredded sharp cheddar or jack cheese
• chopped green onions
• fresh cilantro

Directions

1. In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion, garlic and smoked jalapenos in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes, broth. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Stir in frozen chicken breasts, corn, beans and cilantro. Simmer for 1-1/2 hours.
3. Chicken will cook and then you can shred it.  Add water if needed.
4. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top with crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, cheese, cilantro and chopped green onion.