Kay Ellen

Moody Blues

What kind of a mood are you in today? Does a bike ride sound like fun?

Shopping for a chandelier with character?

Working in the garden?

Are you headed to the snow?

Feel like painting?

Do you like to entertain? The dishes are in the cupboard.

Bon Appetite!

Stop by and see more table scape ideas click here

Thank you Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursday.  

I have been sick this week, so I am headed off to take another nap~~

A little blue inspiration has cheered me up today:) you too?

:Kay Ellen

A glimpse of creativity

Hi friends,

I thought you would enjoy seeing a glimpse of what I am currently working on.

This bathroom originally had a wall to wall mirror which I had pulled out for a change.  I replaced it with two iron arched mirrors. The new counter tops are Italian marble. The back splash has a carved scroll and leaf detail.  The under mounted sinks are elegant and a simple solution to draw your attention to other details in the room.

This beautiful light is center stage of a re-modeled kitchen. The original cabinets in the kitchen were laminate. The new cabinets are made of wood with beveled door fronts, painted and glazed. The crown molding, carved swag, cabinet doors and even the garden window are all painted and stained to match. The new counter tops are granite with creamy colors and movements with swirls of taupe and black touches.  

I am still on the hunt for finishing touches for the kitchen. I did find this creative container and added nuts to it. I promise to show you more soon. 

New wood floors, black poster bed and mocha walls gave this room a rich new feeling. The window swags are soft and timeless. Two sheer fabrics combined. The flame stitch crocheted throw makes a beautiful finishing touch.

A new pendent light and ceiling medallion has become the focal point in this lovely dining room...it was installed just in time for Christmas!

Thank you for stopping by...back to creativity!

:Kay Ellen

Singing in the Rain

Hi Blogging friends,

Rainy and cold this week in Southern California.

Today, rain or shine it was going to be a beauty day. My oldest niece spent all day dolling up these three headed for a dance. I am tearing up just looking at the pictures!

A toast with sparkling cider before they go... 

One more Kodak moment ladies.
Oh my goodness! You three look beautiful! Don't forget to do a little singing in the rain:)

Happy Pink Saturday Friends!

Stop by and say hello to our sweet Pink host! Always an inspiration~~~Beverly~~~Click here

Thank you for stopping by!

:KayEllen

Cowgirl Adventure

Hi Friends,

I had a wonderful time on my cowgirl getaway!

The Kay El Bar Ranch has been in operation since 1928.

A charming and old fashion western setting.

A welcoming staff which included cozy and quaint rooms.

The weather was perfect for horse back riding.

Look at all these beautiful horses! Each one was a colorful character.

Here are some of the cowgirls I came with. We were gathering for a group photo and our first riding adventure.

This is Reba, what a sweet girl.  She has one blue eye that makes her even more beautiful.

Lots of hats to borrow if you forgot to bring one...

This is cowboy Joe the wrangler that I rode with each day. 

After my three hour morning rides... I enjoyed walking around the ranch and capturing new things with my camera.

The ranch is surrounded by cactus gardens with colorful rocks and old western decor. 

Each morning we had the opportunity to wake up early and spend time with our horse. Grooming and brushing them before breakfast.

When we would return from breakfast our horses were ready to go!

Because we had a large group of cowgirls we went out in four separate  groups. We would wait by the gate until our wrangler called our name to giddy up! 

Amazing how thirsty you can get out on the trail.

Beautiful Arizona scenery...

This is the bell they rang for our meals each day...

Did I mention how wonderful the food was? Well, it was amazing!!

This is the head wrangler of the ranch, "D" what a gentlemen and kind man. We were spoiled by him and the rest of the staff! He offered to brand our boots after dinner.

I really felt like a genuine cowgirl with my boots branded! Thank you "D"!!!

We sang each night after dinner in the lodge. Saturday evening Caroline honored us with her voice and sang old western melodies...she reminded me of Julie Andrews when she sang. I found out the next day she has a couple of Grammies, she was raised in Chicago but now calls Wickenburg, Arizona her home.

Thank you for stopping by!

I laughed and cried with these two cowgirls alll weekend! Re-kindled old friendships and made wonderful new friends. 

 

If you are interested in this historical Dude Ranch Click here! for more information. I highly recommend it:)

Myself and a new friend Jan from England~~~ getting ready to ride:)

Bye-Bye Tank. I will miss you and the ranch life!

:KayEllen

Happy Trails

Howdy Friends!

I am ready to hit the road for a cowgirl adventure and horseback riding!

A  fun road trip driving to a Dude Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona.

I will be with twenty three cowgirls!

Thrilled to have sometime away to relax.

I was feeling inspired this week by my getaway, so I decided to set the table with a western feeling... Do you have any old pie tins? 

I love recycling and giving an old tin a new purpose!

Here's a small tin that would work great for a side salad or dessert. 

You can add colorful bandannas as napkins to the western feeling table. 

The Arizona desert should really be beautiful this time of the year. 

I will see you next week refreshed and ready to get back to work.

See you soon~~~Ye Haw!

If you enjoy setting the table stop by my friend Susan's blog Between Naps on the Porch for more creative ideas:)

 

:Kay Ellen

Cupcake Love

Hi Friends!

Do you love cupcakes? I sure do, but my waistline doesn't. I have a solution for a guilt free cupcake treat!

OK here it is! One box of cake mix and a 12oz. can of Diet Coke, mix these two ingredients together, do not add eggs, oil, butter or water. Then bake just like the directions tell you on the box. 

One diet coke cupcake with a spoonful of Cool Whip "lite" is less than 100 calories (3 points on Weight Watchers).

You can also try a white cake mix with one12oz. can of sugar free Cherry 7up. The cupcakes come out of the oven fluffy, taste good and have a lot less calories.

I am trying to make some healthy changes in 2010 and these cupcakes will really help curve my sweet tooth! Maybe yours too?!

Enjoy!

Happy Pink Saturday!

Click Here to stop and say hello to Beverly the sweetest Pink host ever!

 :Kay Ellen

God's Handy-Work

Hello Friends,

The new year has begun... Our first week of 2010.

I wanted to share with you some of the beautiful sunsets we have been experiencing here in southern California...

Truly God's Handy-Work.   

I also wanted to tell you how thankful my family is this week. My son had an accident on his new long board "skateboard". He has a concussion but is feeling better as each day passes. He doesn't remember the accident, or the people that witnessed him flying in the air and landing in the street...he also does not recall the fire truck or ambulance ride and most of time he didn't know he was in a hospital. The doctor shared with us that not remembering is common with a concussion, and once the Cat-Scan was clear we were so happy, relieved and praising God.

The sunsets this past week seem to be a beautiful reminder how majestic he is and to thank him daily in all things.

A huge thank you to my church, family and friends that were praying for Kyle right away! 

Bless you all,

:KayEllen

Sparkle in the New Year!

May you sparkle in a new way in 2010!

Look for opportunities in unexpected places.

Make time for new beginnings...

Beam with wisdom.

You may have a golden opportunity coming your way!

Celebrate with family and friends...

I am reflecting on this past year with gladness and sorrow. My family said goodbye to cousin Colin, Aunt Bobbie, Grandma Ruby and Father-in-law Duane. 

Eager to experience new blooms in the coming year.  

God Bless each one of you....with new direction and light in 2010!

Happy New Year!

:KayEllen