Booooo! Happy Halloween to All!

Now, just to prepare you... you will be seeing these shirts again.  Our own little version of the Griswold family LOVES to wear our Halloween gear.  During my visit to see the Little Men, we washed and wore these at least every other day!

Things are back in full swing at The Bungalow.  Maddox Air Conditioning is working away on a correction of faulty ducting done by a previous owner on one of the Old Girls.  Flooring people are laying new hardwoods on a not so old re-model. 

I am taking a moment to wish you all a very Happy Halloween.  May your days be filled with smiles and laughter...

May you find time to savor the beauty and joy of fall...

And, have a spooktacular good holiday!!

As you can see, holding still for these 'scary' cemetery photos was a challenge!  LOL!

Little Man had miles to run and too much to see to be slowed down for photos!

Now, is that just too sweet or what?  No bias here, of course.

Littlest Man had enjoyed our outing as much as he could... Sweet, sweet sleeping angel.

Now that I have whisked out a Happy Halloween wish to all, I am about to tackle this desk.  Yes, it is a 'big mess' as Little Man would say!!  Being gone for twelve days can leave you with some big messes to tend when you get home! 

blessings to all ~
tanna

Back at The Bungalow

I have enjoyed a whirlwind of fun over the past dozen days and have finally landed back at the Bungalow.   There was a wonderful treat waiting for me from Tricia at Saving Room for Dessert. 

I LOVE this beautiful bowl.  Made of bamboo with wonderful natural shades, it will be enjoyed for years to come.  Thank you so much, Tricia!

If you haven't checked out her recipes, you are missing out!  She is making 52 pies this year!!  I have vicariously enjoyed dessert with her this summer while I have been trying to lose a few pounds!  ;)

Amanda, I enjoyed my Coke Zero while I was downloading a ton of photos!  Thank you.  You know your Momma does so enjoy a good coozie!  LOL!

I'll be posting many more adventures from the past week, but I'm leaving you with these two photos...

Notice Little Man's focus of attention. 

There was a rooster in the barn at The Pumpkin Patch.  Mr. Rooster crowed and strutted across the other end.  Little Man was not so sure about  the "Big Chicken."  As a matter of fact it was, "Big Chicken, NO."  He kept an eye on him the whole ten minutes we were there. 

The Pumpkin Patch Adventure had been greatly anticipated.  Sadly, it was so bitterly cold and WINDY that we only lasted long enough to grab a few photos and then pack it in for the day.  Poor Little Man was shivering in spite of being bundled up; and, the cold wind would take the Littlest Man's breath away.  Brrrrr.... Besides, that Big Chicken was on the move!  LOL!

I had a great trip, but I am glad to be home.  Little Man comes by his love of "home" very naturally... runs from one generation to the next... to the next. 

I'll be catching up this week!!  Blessings to all... tanna

City Hall - Buffalo 2

Just a quick little photo dump.  It has been days of running from one session to the next and squeezing in a few tours along the way.  Instead of lunch, we ran over to the Buffalo City Hall for a tour at noon.

This building was started in 1929 and finished in 1931.  It is the second largest City Hall in the U. S..

This is the sky light above the City Council meeting room. Reminded me the Senate meeting room in D.C..

It is an amazing example of Art Deco architecture.

These are the original seats.  They are very narrow and have wire holders on the bottom of them to hold men's fedora hats.  Beautiful woodwork.

Plus, you can see for more or less 15 miles from the observation deck at the top.

Even with all of its beautiful historic treasures, the most wonderful asset of this city is the graciousness and friendliness of every resident we have had the pleasure to meet.  Very warm and welcoming and interested in the preservation conference in their town.  Proud of their city... and rightfully so.

I have to get some sleep!!  I'm sorry I haven't had time to visit, but you know I'll be around again soon!  Have a great weekend!  blessings ~ tanna

Buffalo, NY

As soon as we checked in, I whipped out my camera to get a shot of the view out our window!

Yep, we've made it to Buffalo!!  There are swarms of people here for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference... and, to my delight, lots of young people, too! 

 This is City Hall.  It is gorgeous.

I don't have near enough lens to get the detail of the stone work on the City Hall building, but maybe when we tour I will be able to get some closer views.  It is amazing.

 This building is left of City Hall.  A very different style.  Beautiful with the flag flying against it.

Cassie, the Executive Director of Historic Tyler, Inc. was getting some closer shots of this impressive entry and light.

Look at those owls... keeping out the pigeons.  ;)

Loved the buffaloes on the same building.

 Oh, and you know this Old Girl caught my eye... Sale or Lease... reduced... {sigh}... So many Old Girls... So little time and resources!!  ;)

That's it for now.  We've been up since 3am this time (Eastern) and it has been a very long day.  I am excited to get to our first meetings tomorrow!!  blessings ~ tanna

So FAR Behind!!

People!!  I am so far behind with my blogging!   I have so many things to share and so little time!  LOL!  First, I want to thank Sandie, Chatty Crone for this wonderful prize that came in the mail!!  A beautiful card and a wonderful smiley face necklace to make me smile every time I see it!  Thank you, Sandie!!

Second, Susan of Days at Buttermilk Cottage is raising Breast Cancer Awareness with this cute little Pinky Lamb!  Check it out!  And, she is joining with Vicki, of 2 Bags Full in a wonderful giveaway!



This the bag that Vicki is offering in her giveaway!  Might want to check that out!!

And, lastly sweet Kelly, of The Essence of Home was kind enough to pass me The Versatile Blogger award.  I am not usually an award kind of gal, but I do so appreciate Kelly's kindness and consideration.  She is a new blogger, sister to my OLD blog friend, Kim of Savvy Southern Style.  If you haven't visited her blog, please go by and welcome her to our world. 

In addition to mentioning this to you, I am supposed to select 15 other blogs to pass it on to... I want to pass it to whoever is willing to accept it and to share seven things about yourself with us!!  I love all my blog buddies and I see each of you as very versatile and inspiring women.  Grab that award!!

Seven things about me you probably don't know:

1. I love spinach pizza from Cici's Pizza (yes, I know!!!  but, humor me... I do!)
2. I hate the work of rehabbing an old building!  (But, I love the outcome!)
3. I'm attending the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference next week in Buffalo, NY. (first time to attend... very excited!)
4. I hate olives!!  (The only food I just cannot stand.  Go figure!)
5. The only dream/goal (that only involved mainly myself) that I gave up on was going to medical school.
6. I always wanted to be able to sing like Stevie Nicks (couldn't carry a tune if someone put it in a bucket for me).
7. I keep thinking of things I love that you might not know... but, at one time or another I have mentioned most all the things I love in this blog!  This is harder than you would think.  Ummm... I dropped out of typing class in the 10th grade because I couldn't do it perfectly.

So, there you go!  Hope some others of you will share a few things about yourselves!  Come on!

Have a great evening!  blessings ~ tanna

Mad Dash Birthday Celebration!

We celebrated my Mom's 75th birthday this weekend!  It was a mad dash to West Texas, as I was painting right up until 30 minutes before we headed out the door.  It is a long way for a dash, but it was worth it to celebrate with Mom and see my family.

This is the gang.  Our Birthday Girl is front and center!  My brother, Jeff, to the far left is the 'middle child'.  Then me, the oldest.  Then my baby brother Greg, the youngest of the boys.  My brother Malcolm, who is next in the age line-up after me.  And, my baby sister Melanie, who is exactly eight years younger than me; we share the same birthday.  Hmmmm.... I never felt like the 'short one.' 

We enjoyed lots of fun and great food thanks to Melanie, who outdid herself!  and, Jeff who made some wonderful pulled pork! 

... not to mention the feast Mom had prepared for our arrival Friday night... shrimp etouffee, ham and a squash dish that was out of this world!  As always when at Mom's, I ate way too much!  And I loved every bite.

We were able to enjoy a beautiful storm and some much, much needed rain!

Then raced back to start the rat race again!!!  And, my time is up!  Got to get back at it.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

blessings ~ tanna

Lovin' My Men (and Little Momma)

Life has been running at a frenzied pace around here!!  I had worked all weekend scrubbing, sanding, patching and painting on my current remodel project.  I came dragging home Sunday night to find a prize from my Little Men.

Now, they (and their Little Momma) sure know how to lift their Noni's spirits when she is dog-tired and frustrated with some projects gone south (not in a good way).

Put a big smile right on my face!  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you, my Little Men and Little Momma!  I love this pumpkin AND its beautiful wrapping!!  But, most of all the thoughtfulness that went into every part of it.  My heart is full.

Now, I cannot talk sweet about my Little Men without mentioning my Beloved Man.  He sent this beautiful bouquet on Saturday.  It arrived when I was about to pull my hair out... over situations that had gone arwy (if you have ever started a remodel, you know how this is!). 

It kept me going. I'd smile as I would pass it by... heading on to the next step in the process.  I have wonderful Men in my life, folks; and, I do adore them!  I'm a lucky woman... a blessed woman. 

And, I am grateful.

I so wish I had had a tripod. 

As I closed the door at the end of my work weekend, the last rays of sunlight glowed off this bouquet.  It was amazing.  Of course, this is blurred... but, it makes me smile just to remember the glow... and how everything had faded to black... except the beauty.  This project will do that, too.  Thank You, God... for this blessed reminder.  Thank You.  Most of all, I am blessed by You.

Now, I'm about to head back to Sherwin-Williams and hit the paint brush again!  Been trying to tend to my bookkeeping, tax information (yes, it's that time of year for us AND we are still Examining By Mail from 2008!!!), some Historic Tyler business and the routine stuff... Time to get back to the remodel!

Hope you are all enjoying your week!  You are my bright spots during break times!  LOL! 

blessings to all ~ tanna