Highlighting "Twirl and Taste" and Some Odds & Ends

I was visiting Libby Murphy at her beautiful blog,Twirl and Taste, this week and found that she has a wonderful giveaway going on. It's a darling 7 piece French Home etched wine set. I must tell you that I have fallen in love with it! Libby posts fabulous recipes every day and fun stories about people you read about in the newspaper and magazines. I especially enjoy reading Libby because she is from the same place I am originally from, near Knoxville Tennessee.  Libby talks like my people, she cooks like my people, and she makes me feel like I'm home again when I visit her. Libby's current post includes a wonderful southern recipe for Refrigerator Rolls.  I remember my own mother making these.  So if you haven't done so yet, check Twirl and Taste out soon - I think you'll love it!

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This Blog:

"Contains Brilliant Content and/or Design"

and/or

 "It's Creator Has Been An Encouragement To Me"

One of the sweetest and classiest ladies in blogland, Kat, Just A Beach Kat, sent me this sweet blog award last week.  Coming from this beautiful, classy lady, the award is an honor.  I'm going to pass the Honest Scrap Award along to:

1. CeeKay, Thinkin' of Home - My old friend encourages me, keeps track of what's going on with me, and she prays for me faithfully.  She has shared her life, her family, and her friendship with me for nearly 30 years. Plus she has an awesome blog of "brilliant content and design" and she is the one who introduced me to blogging nearly two years ago!

2. Janie, Blondie's Journal - Janie writes beautifully (check out her current post) and she's a lovely new friend

3. Suzanne, Southern Inspiration - What a lovely lady Suzanne is - and she writes a beautiful blog!  She's been a source of encouragement to me.

4. Bernideen, Bernideen's Tea Time Blog - Bernideen's blog is filled with the most beautiful tea related things and she is just a wonderful, encouraging lady too.

5. Libby, Twirl and Taste - I've just got to add Libby tothe list because of all the reasons I listed in the beginning of this post!

6. Catherine, Catherine de the Cups - Catherine has a classy, beautifully written blog and she has been so lovely to write me encouraging notes during the paast months that my father has been so ill.  Thank you, Sweet Catherine!

7. Ro, A Hint of Home - I can't tell you how many times Ro has written me notes and comments to let me know she is praying for me.  What an encouragement!  Plus, her blog is just filled with photos of her beautifully decorated home and tutorials for crafts and projects.

Here are the rules for the Honest Scrap award:

1) Post "10 Honest Things" about myself.

2) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.

3) Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

 

Ten Honest Things About Me:

1.  I love plain white cake so much that I could eat one all by myself in a weekend!

2.  On average, I go to bed at about 3:00 AM and sleep about 4 or 5 hours.

3.  I sleep with both a fan and an electric blanket on year round.

4.  The beach feels like church to me.

5.  I met my husband when I was 15, became engaged to him when I was 16, married him when I was 17.

6.  I despise dishonesty.

7.  I actually DO NOT pray that my son and DIL will have quads, even though I may have on occasion hinted that I do.  I'm not sure why - just a mean streak I guess.  Well, yes, I do know why.  It makes my son crazy, especially if I hint the quads might ought to be all girls!  Oh, the fun in turning the anxiety around once in a while!

8. I have watched General Hospital since I was coming home from elementary school to watch it on my lunch hour.

9.  I did not rest on my beloved deck swing ALL SUMMER LONG - why, why, why???

10.I start getting depressed in August because summer is almost over and I CANNOT enjoy Autumn because the trees will be naked and my garden will be bare soon, and the seemingly endless winter will over take us any minute.  I know...I need an attitude adjustment.

Ok, ladies, I spilled my guts.  Your turn!

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Have a beautiful week, ladies!

Winner Of The Giveaway Is...

I published my first post on March 9, 2008 and today, one year later, is my 285th post! It's been a great year of blogging and meeting many, many wonderful new friends.

Thank you all for the interest in my giveaway over the last few weeks. I wish I had a big old stack of paintings to mail out this week to each one of you who were so kind to comment and enter. I am pleased to announce that the winner is Danette, of Hand Knits That Blossom! If you have never visited Danette you simply must! She creates the most remarkable, beautiful knitted creations! Danette, I promise to get your watercolor off in the mail to you shortly. Here's a preview:

I love foxglove and hummingbirds always remind me of my parents home in Tennessee. So when I saw a picture of a hummingbird enjoying the nectar from foxglove in a book called Birds In My Garden by Sherry Nelson, I decided to do a watercolor like it as a gift for my blog anniversary. I hope you like it, Danette!

Saturday Afternoon Mish-Mash

A reminder: Tomorrow, Sunday, March 8, is the day I'll draw a name from the list of those bloggers who entered my One Year Anniversary Giveaway! I have quite a few names but I would love to add your name to the list. Simply let me know in a comment to any post by 11:59 March 8 that you would like to be included in the giveaway drawing. I'll post the winner on Monday, March 9, the one year anniversary of my first post! The winner will receive one of my own watercolors. I'm sorry I haven't had time to post a picture of the art I'll send to the winner - it's been a very busy few weeks of wedding and shower preparations. I WILL include a picture before I mail it off to the winner though!

I was kind of excited this week when I received an email from Helen, of Creative Baby Nursery. She had seen my blog post last week about the nursery I painted for my granddaughter and she wanted to publish it on her web site. The web site's purpose is to provide inspiration and ideas for baby nursery design as well as to provide information about furniture, equipment, recalled products, and current infant safety issues, and other pertinent nursery information. Whether you have a baby or a grandbaby to create a nursery for, Creative Baby Nursery Gallery is fun to see. Who doesn't love a sweet baby nursery?! I know I love them! If you want to see a copy of my post published on the web page, see the link below:

http://www.creative-baby-nursery-rooms.com/flower-garden-nursery.html

Speaking of my son's wedding, I bought my dress on Friday! Whew! That's a relief. I was dreading the search. When our daughter got married I saw a photo of a dress in a Sunday ad, went to the store, and was on my way back home with a dress for the wedding AND rehearsal dinner within 30 minutes! I'd say that's close to qualifying for a miracle! The search for my dress for our son's wedding wasn't quite that easy, but I think finding it in one day of shopping was still fairly remarkable. Actually, I bought two dresses. The first dress is very pretty and I LIKE it, but I don't LOVE it. It was love at first sight for the second dress, the one I'm planning to wear to the wedding. It's an antique rose color, empire waist, with a beaded bodice. The underskirt is satin and there is a chiffon overskirt which is divided down the center front with beading along the edge. The sleeves are sheer chiffon with beading along the edges. Here it is:

Now the search is on for jewelry and heels that I can hobble around in for an entire day and evening! I think...something strappy and bejeweled, you think? I welcome any suggestions from all of you stylish ladies for jewelry suggestions. Come on, CeeKay, you're the jewelry master. I'm leaning toward something with a vintage style since the dress has that romantic, vintage feel. Help me ladies!

One Year Of Blogging - And A Give Away to Celebrate!

I published my first post on March 9, 2008. My friend CeeKay, Thinkin' of Home, had been blogging for about a month and she begged me to start my own blog. She said she knew I would just love it. Frankly, I was happy C had found something she loved doing so much, but I couldn't imagine I would like it that much. I couldn't picture myself "talking" to strangers online regularly, actually making friendships. My husband and I visited CeeKay and her husband in mid February last year. Several times during our visit she sat me down in front of her computer to see her blog and interactions with other bloggers. I could see that C really enjoyed it and that all of the people she communicated with and the blogs she visited actually seemed quite normal - even nice! So when Hubby and I came home after our visit to Arizona I created my own blog. The rest is history!

How did I choose the name for my blog? First of all, my granddaughters call me Mimi. I knew I wanted to be Mimi as a grandmother from the time our son was a toddler. Our daughter and all the children on both sides of the family called their grandmothers Grammy - except Jacob. He called my mother and my mother-in-law Mimi as a toddler. I thought it was cute and loved that he had chosen a unique name - at least unique in our families. The Garden attachment to Mimi happened because I adore flowers and I've always loved gardening. I work at creating several gardens each Spring, adding new plants and accessories. Whenever our four year old granddaughter visited as a toddler she always asked to go out to see Mimi's garden. So it just felt natural when naming my blog to choose Mimi's Garden.

I am still quite stunned at my involvement in Blogland! I, Kathy, check my blog several times a day. I take pictures of my house and dishes and crafts and projects to post for perfect strangers to see - and comment on! Ok, CeeKay, I admit it...I LOVE it! Thank you for relentlessly encouraging me to create my own blog :) !

I have gotten to know some perfectly wonderful ladies during this year of blogging. You are all so incredibly creative, talented, generous, and kind. You encourage and inspire me, you pray for me, you provide incentive to accomplish more and reason to believe that the world is mostly made up of good and kind people! I am truly thankful for all of you!

To celebrate my one year blogging anniversary I would like to host a give away. To enter, leave a comment on any post between today, February 20 and midnight March 8, leaving your e-mail address and expressing a desire to enter the give away. The winner will receive an original watercolor, painted by Yours Truly. I'm not going to advertise the give away on other blogs because I would like the winner to be someone who already visits my blog rather than someone who just enters give aways. I'll post the winner's name on my one year blogging anniversary, March 9.

Finally, if you do not already have a "Mimi's Friendship" graphic pictured below, please take it now and link to Mimi's Garden. I would be honored to see it on your blog!

A Give-A-Way

Melissa, Little Things In Life, is having a great Christmas give-a-way! Check it out! Her blog is just wonderful.

Old Red Barn Give Away

I just thought many of you would be interested in a great give away at Old Red Barn Co. Dana is giving away three of the most gorgeous quilts! Go on over and sign up!

Thankful!

THANKFULNESS...
How often we overlook the numberless things and people in our lives in which we might count as blessings, to hold on to when life gets difficult, to be truly thankful for. Nanette at A Tale of Magical Memories is hosting a thankful giveaway. The challenge is to list 6-10 things we are thankful for. That's easy! After you post (including her cute button above), you e-mail her at nswhiting@frontiernet.net to let her know you want to participate.

Joyce, at Brookside Cottage is hosting "30 Days of Giving Thanks". I'd like to use #2 in the list below for my Day 2 entry.

I had actually been thinking about this as Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away and the holiday season begins. So, I decided to participate in Nanette's and Joyce's challenges.

1. My husband is a good husband by any one's standards, but he is often called to go above and beyond the call of duty! He faithfully drives me to my infusions every three weeks and refuses to leave me, even though I am in a hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses. He drives me home, puts me to bed, and waits on me hand and foot until I am on my feet again. What a guy! I'm incredibly thankful for my devoted husband of 38 years.

2. My house - I adore it. It's not very large by modern standards, it's 36 years old, and it is jam packed - but it represents US. We had our home built when we were married a year and a half - we were just kids. We moved in on December 22 and we did not have a stick of furniture - just a Christmas tree and a mattress on the floor. But we thought we had a castle. We've brought two babies home to our little house and now two little granddaughters have brought more joy and laughter to us and to it than we ever dreamed possible. During these days of difficult times in our country ANY home is a gift, but our home is a blessing which brings us much joy, because it is filled with love and joyous memories.

3. I have always known I was born to be a grandmother. I waited a long time to become a mother and I adored having children still at home. But my grand babies - oh, my goodness, I can't think of much I could be MORE grateful or thankful for! Two beautiful, healthy baby girls...blessings incomparable!

4. Mothers always want what is best for their children, what will make their babes happy. I prayed from before I first held my sweet girl and boy in my arms for their future spouses. I prayed they would find a match with whom they would share a lifetime of love, contentment, children, happiness, and Spiritual growth. Both of my babies have found loves with whom I believe with all my heart they will share a lifetime of happiness with - the things I asked God for in my heartfelt prayers. Our son-in-law is a wonderful man of God, father to our grandchildren, husband to our daughter. Our future daughter-in-law is beautiful in every way. She loves our son and makes him a better man. She is kind and giving. She is nurturing and I believe she will be a loving mother. Let's face it, we all think our children are pretty special - that's easy. But I am incredibly thankful that I can rest well in the knowledge that the hearts of my children are held by trustworthy people who love them as much as I do!

5. Memories - what would life be after all, if we could not live again the joys of yesterday? A wedding day, childbirth, a first home, sun bathing hand in hand, noisy road trips, Christmases, baking cookies, a daughter bride, precious newborn midnight feedings, family private jokes...etc, etc, etc! I'm so thankful for the memories of my marriage, my children, grandchildren, and friendships!

6. I am so thankful for a church that teaches from the Word of God, not the word of man! We have attended churches over the years where clothing or hair or income make up the worth of a human being. Many people and many churches are tied up in appearances and man made rules. At this point in our lives, my husband and I are not interested in wasting time with that sort of nonsense. Life is short. We want to worship our God. We want to sit under a pastor who will accurately teach from the Bible and where true worship happens! How thankful I am that we have found such a place.

7. I have had lots of casual friends in my life and many acquaintances. But I've had a few very true blue friends. I'm so thankful for Anne, Linda, Carolyn, and especially my sister-in-law and dearest friend in the world, Jeri.

8. I don't live close to the beach and I don't get there more than twice a year, but I find more peace and joy at the beach than any place else I can think of, other than my own little home. When I am blessed enough to walk on the sand in and out of the surf, I find myself in an almost constant state of worship. The sea itself, so incredibly representative of God's creation! The surf and the moon, in a waltz to keep the globe afloat! It's very sound, music directly from God it seems to me! A natural Eco balance only God could have created. The sand - how many billions of billions of grains of sand are there? Sea birds - natural fishers, graceful in their beauty. The mindless pleasure of selecting shells to cherish all year long. The beach is a source of great joy and thankfulness in my life.

9. Ok, I have to say it. I'm thankful for sugar!

10. My God - even though He is the most important thing in my life, I have curiously listed Him last. I think, because none of the above would be even remotely possible without faith in God and His unending love for me. I cannot express my thankfulness for the Savior!

An Unexpected Pleasure

Imagine my surprise and pleasure when I received a message from Cindy of Yapping Cat Studio telling me I had won her blue bird of happiness give away! I was especially thrilled because I happen to collect blue birds. I had the most delightful time opening the box when it arrived, finding each sweet piece of the gift. Beautiful bindings, stick pins, buttons, vintage washers, the gorgeous hand written tags, banners, stickers, the music sheet, the bird nests, and of course, the precious blue bird image - all so wonderful! And the cup. That sweet little gold and white cup is just so beautiful I can hardly stand it...I'm in love with it! So, Cindy, thank you again for giving me one of those lovely, unexpected joy filled moments in life that are such a treat. I've posted some pictures of the winnings below. If you haven't visiting Yapping Cat Studio, by all means do! She has many lovely things to enjoy.