Some Florida curb appeal I find appealing, II...

Photographer I am not.  If I had let Josh break out his mack daddy camera and take these pics for me they'd be much nicer.  I didn't want to freak out the homeowners though, so I snapped all these with my little camera.  Have you ever checked out Hooked on Houses?  Now Julia knows

 how to blog about houses the right way.  

In any case, here are a few more pretty houses for you to take a gander at.  The first house on yesterday's post is my favorite so far.  Thanks to those who've posted their picks.  Keep checking back as I share more.   (Pssst...There will be a giveaway on the last post!)

Let's see if we can't find one you like today:

Beautiful tile roof, and the balconies call to my inner Juliet...

Entryway...the Florida sunshine was working against me...

Wrought iron fence and pretty posts...

I like the trim work around the windows, and the elegant entrance way...

Entrance with arched transom window...

A very similar balcony on another home, the bump out on the left catches my eye...

Close up of the balcony with double doors leading to it...

It is hard to capture the size of this home in a photo...

Covered breezeway leading to garage...

Hope you enjoyed today's homes, I've got a few more to share with you. 

 I'm off to get the Tea for One prize sent to my winner, Pink Ink. 

Some Florida curb appeal I find appealing...

Josh and I were out on one of our (that's a lot of o words in a row, right?) drives this morning to take pics for a BPO he's working on, and I decided to take a few of homes that caught my eye to share with you.  Hope you enjoy this first batch, I'll be posting more over the next few days:

I love the palm lined & pavered driveway, as well as the little tower...

Pretty bump out master bath on the right, and more pavers and palms...

This one is more French Country than Mediterranean...

This is it's adorable little detached garage.  They did a great job tying it into the house...

I enjoy our BPO picture taking drives because they allow me to explore the different neighborhoods in Spring Hill, and all around Hernando County.  There is such a variety, and it is always inspiring.

Today's drive inspired me to finally get a few more palms planted.

Come back tomorrow for more.

Tea for one winner!

My beautiful elves did pick a winner this morning before heading off to Grandma's to visit with Santa.  He happened to stop by the clubhouse in her development to indulge in some cookies and milk with all the kids.  Sorry it took me so long to get it posted.  Hope I'm not on your naughty list.  

Picking a winner:

My lovely elves enjoy a good giveaway drawing...

however it appears the attention loving poodle is quite bored by them...

Congrats Pink Ink! 

 Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.  I hope you enjoy it.  Please e-mail me (via my profile) with your shipping info.  I'll be sending it out on Monday.  Tuesday the latest.  

I've already got another giveaway idea in mind so check back soon!  Enjoy your Saturday night!

Sanity savers...

Do you have any tried and true sanity savers in your home?  I've got one that has become indispensable at alleviating clutter in my daughter's bathroom, a hanging shoe rack:

Not having to dig through drawers, or having all this stuff out on the countertop keeps the bathroom neater, and helps her get ready faster in the morning.

It worked out so well for us that I put one on her bedroom door as well.  This keeps all her miscellaneous computer/game system attachments, extra pens & pencils, band necessities, etc., all in one area where she can quickly find them.

I've even added one to the back of my niece's door and she's already starting using it to organize her miscellaneous accessories, etc.

I've got pretty decorative boxes that I'm using in the master bath.  I'm thinking of using a shoe organizer in there as well because it'll work better.

What sanity savers are you using in your own home?

I need all the organizing ideas I can get!

If you haven't signed up for my giveaway yet, please do.  

Merry Sitsmas & a giveaway!

Merry SiTSmas to all, and to all a good...

Giveaway!!!

Tea for One, The Octavia Hill Garden Collection, by Tracy Porter

Isn't it pretty? I'll also be including a $10 Target Gift Card, and a yummy package of Tea, so if you have a favorite flavor let me know.

It will be sent to you beautifully gift wrapped (or as pretty as I can accomplish), so you can give it as a gift, or keep it as a present for yourself under your tree!

Quick easy rules:

Comment this post = 1 entry

Following this blog = 1 additional entry, just comment again letting me know you're following.

Following me on twitter = 1 more entry, and again throw me a comment so I know!

This contest will close on this Friday at midnight EST, and the girls - I mean my beautiful elves - will be cutting up, folding, and putting all your entries in Santa's hat first thing Saturday morning.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

Don't forget to stop by SiTS and join in all the SiTSmas fun - there are giveaways every hour!!!

Christmas past...

Here's what I have done in the past in order to make the kitchen feel Christmasy on no budget. No budget as in no money to spend. This year I eyeballed the cranberries again and decided to wait and see if they go on sale! HA!

A couple of dollar tree ornaments and a bag of cranberries

make the holidays feel bright...

Already had the oranges and cloves at home, so I made a bit of no cost decor for the other countertop:

Cloved oranges make the kitchen smell like Christmas...

We've got our decorations starting to go up, but I have to admit they're not nearly as beautiful as yours!

Update: Just got in from Tuesday Morning and found a great frame for a pic I took of my Snew yesterday. Have to wait for a new computer so I can print it. Did I mention I broke my lap top?Twice. (I'm operating in safe mode right now, ugh. )

Pretty as a picture...

T.G.I.M.!

Whew, what a weekend!

First some very exciting news: The F.W. Springstead Marching Eagle Brigade, my own sweet Snew included, placed 4th at the FMBC's! Woohoooooo!!!

Name in lights at the Tropicana Dome - Home of the Rays

They just left it all on the field...

We are so proud of her.

We took advantage of her Dad being in town to celebrate his Birthday and Thanksgiving together. At 10:30 am Sunday when I hadn't even gone grocery shopping yet I didn't think it was going to happen. Thankfully we pulled it all together and we all spent some much needed time sitting around together and being thankful for eachother.

Birthday/Thanksgiving celebration...

Birthday/Thanksgiving Cake...

I think we're going to it this way annually because it was lots of fun...plus, in addition to pumpkin pie, I got to eat chocolate cake, yum yum.

So, I'm officially done with Thanksgiving Day and am ready to move on to Christmas time. We're packing up all the Fall Decor and sending it over to my Mom's for her celebration on Thursday.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with those you love and who love you.

I'm thankful that so many of you inspire me daily with your blogs!