Lovely Lavender

Ladies fair, I bring to you

lavender with spikes of blue;

sweeter plant was never found

growing on our English ground."

Caryl Battersby

Be sure to go HERE to enter my 

One Year Blogiversary Giveaway

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Alphabe Thursday: K is for Kaleidoscope

ka·lei·do·scope/kəˈlīdəˌskōp/Noun

1. A toy consisting of a tube containing mirrors and pieces of colored glass or paper, whose reflections produce changing patterns that are visible through an eyehole when the tube is rotated.

2. A constantly changing pattern or sequence of objects or elements

Google Images

What kid, young or old, doesn't love the wonderful illusions provided by a kaleidoscope?  Even now,at the half century mark, I have to pick one up at the store and play.  I know, I am a kid at heart.

These wonderful toys have been around since the early 1800s.  Not many toys have enjoyed such longevity.  Check out this giant kaleidoscope found at San Diego Harbor.  Have any of you had the opportunity to enjoy this gem?

San Diego Harbor: Wikipedia

I've never visited Sand Diego.  If I ever get the chance to go, I will hunt down this jewel.

Instead of showing you some kaleidoscope images, I played with some photos making them appear as though they are being viewed through a kaleidoscope. 

Fall foliage

American Flag

Daylily

 

I hope you enjoyed this colorful post.  Please hop over to Miss Jenny's classroom to see more more homework assignments for the Letter K.  

Don't forget to go HERE to enter my One Year Blogiversary Giveaway.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Blast from the Past: Blogiversary Giveaway

Hello Friends.

This giveaway is now closed.  

Today marks the anniversary of my first blog post. It is hard for me to believe. It has been an amazing ride and I have met some fantastic people, from all corners of the world, along the way. I learn something new daily… and they say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. I beg to differ.

I'm fairly certain I chose baby names, when I was expecting Jordan, easier than I chose the name of my blog. As part of the process, I needed to determine the subject matter and ambiance I wanted to convey.

Aside from being a fairly decent cook, no one in the family is starving, I have no expertise worthy of devoting an entire blog. Although I have strong political views, this blog will never be used as a political platform and I rather doubt I’d have many visitors if I wrote about paralegal studies or workers’ compensation premiums.

Finally, I decided there were plenty of how-to blogs with far more creative and talented writers. What I do best is laugh at myself.  Although I am not an expert in any one area, I am interested in experiencing new opportunities, stretching my wings, and learning.

So the business plan, so to speak, was to write about a wide variety of topics, to keep the ambiance light and cheerful, and to admit my shortcomings (which incidentally gives me plenty of material about which to write). After playing with the dictionary and thesaurus for a while, A Musing Potpourri was christened.

Life can be a struggle at times and boring at other times. A Musing Porpourri is meant to be a fun, carefree oasis where you can relax for a few moments during your day. I hope when you visit you always feel welcome and comfortable. From time-to-time I hope I make you laugh and I guarantee there will be visits that make you scratch your head and think, What was La thinking?!

Thank you all for your encouragement, your generosity, and most of all for your friendship. You all mean the world to me.

Now, let’s have a giveaway! Woo-hoo!

What should I give away? I’ve been thinking about this giveaway for quite some time. I decided I wanted to make the giveaway a representation of the past year’s posts, and of A Musing Potpourri’s readers.  For the…

Foodies: Bake Potato Bag

Tablescapers: Placemat and Napkin Set

DIYers: Gorilla Glue and Painters Tape

Crafters and Artists: Assorted Embellishments

Photographers: Photography the Art of Composition

Tea Lovers: Teatime Treats, Tea, Chocorooms, and Tea Towel

Gardeners: Herb Picks

Thrifters: Blogging Tote

As always, there will be a surprise or 

two thrown in because I love surprises!

Here’s how to win…

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!

******

You do not have to be a blogger to win.

If you do not have a blog please provide a way

for me to contact you when you win.

******
This giveaway is open to all
international readers.
****** 

1. Leave a comment.

2. Become a follower of A Musing Potpourri. 

3. Post my giveaway on your blog (if you have one).If you are having trouble following, you may click on "Follow" on the title bar at the top of the page.  Thanks.

4. Like A Musing Potpourri on Facebook and leave a message.

5. Get a bonus entry for completing all four listed above. (Leave me a message stating “I did all 4!”)

Good luck and I look forward to the next 12 months.

Winner will be announced on July 6

Make it a Great Day!

Thrifting Finds

Hello Friends.

One of the wonderful revelations I can attribute to blogging is the initiation into the world of thrifting.  Aside from shopping at the Dollar Tree, I had never thrifted.  I had never been to a thrift store, a yard/garage sale, or an auction.  I KNOW, RIGHT?  Now, I hate to pay full price for anything.

This is the first time, in a very long time, I have some thrifty buys to share with all of you.  I am an estate auction junky.  I love to bring home vintage items that hold wonderful memories.  Although they are not my memories, I think you can just sense when something has been loved. 

I went to an auction, at the beginning of the month, with mixed success.  I missed out on a kitchen pantry because the auctioneer didn’t catch my bid and I had to leave before a collection of unique silhouettes were auctioned.  I was sad about missing out on those two items, but I did win a few items that I love. 

I spent $28.50 and walked away with a sweeper ($22.50) and…

Copper Kettle

Crystal Relish Tray

Sadler Teapot

Hand Forged Tin Bowl

Vintage Flatware

Are you a thrifter?  

Something all shoppers need, whether they are bargain hunters, farmers market consumers, or simply environmentally conscious is a tote bag.  Check out this fantastic blogging tote.  How many times a week do you say to yourself, I am SO blogging this?

Guess what?

This blogging tote can be yours.  

It is part of the One-Year Blogiversary Giveaway Package 

I am offering to one lucky winner.  

Want to win it?  

YOU KNOW YOU DO!

Come back tomorrow to enter this fun giveaway.  

There will be something for everyone 

in this spectacular collection of goodies....

and a surprise or two.

I will be linking to Nifty Thrifty Tuesday and Thrifty Treasures Sunday.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

  

 

Garden Update and Another Giveaway Peek

Hello Friends.

Thanks to all of you who have been so encouraging about my lack of gardening skills. The squirrels have backed off the garden, probably because the tomato plants are bigger than them.

The strawberry plants still look iffy to me, but the tomatoes and jalapenos are doing great, and LOOK at my Topsy Turvy. Holy Cow! These plants are huge. I see a lot of salsa in our future.

My herbs that I planted from seed didn’t take off so I replaced them with some already flourishing plants. Hopefully, I don’t kill them… Every time I walk near them, their leaves shake.

Do you have an herb garden? Look at these cute garden picks. Aren’t they fun? Wouldn’t you love them for your herb garden? You can win them in my One-Year Blogiversary Giveaway. Stop back on June 28 to enter this spectacular giveaway full of fun items and perhaps a surprise or two.

Stop back tomorrow for the final peek into the giveaway package. 

I will be linking this to Outdoor Wednesday and Metamorphosis Monday.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Patriotic Tablescape and Another Preview

Can you believe June is nearly over?  Independence Day is just around the corner and Summer is going too, too fast.  Last week I was in Hobby Lobby and they already have their fall and Christmas decor on the shelves!  I chose to ignore those aisles.

In honor of the approaching patriotic SUMMER holiday, I am setting the dining room table in red, white, and blue….how original is that?

I started with white square plates layered with blue bowls and each setting has a striped glass.  I purchased everything for the settings at Dollar Tree.    

For the centerpiece, I started with a wicker picnic basket.  Atop the picnic basket, I used this cute little red bucket I bought at Hobby Lobby to use on Jordan’s graduation buffet a couple years ago.  I added white and blue flowers and accented with the Stars and Stripes.  The star holds a tealight and came from Hobby Lobby...from one of the aisles not containing fall holiday decor. The little red pitcher was on clearance for 50% off.  

BIG NEWS!

Visit A Musing Potpourri on June 28 to enter my

One-Year Blogiversary Giveaway! 

I’ve collected items to interest all sorts of bloggers.  

The Gift Package includes more than $100 in prizes.  

For the tablescapers, there is a package of 

six placemats and napkins.  

Think of all the patriotic and nautical
tables you can set with this fantastic set.

Stay tuned for more peeks into the prize package.

I am linking to the following parties:

Tabletop Tuesday

Tablescape Thursday
Seasonal Sunday
A Holiday Haven 4th of July Party

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY! 

Alphabe-Thursday: J is for Jealousy

J is for Jealousy, which is what my fellow classmates are going to feel after reading my J post for Alphabe Thursday. Why, you ask????

Just because I am clever enough to dedicate my post to the best J around…Jenny Matlock! Yep, that’s right…I’ll polish the hell out of this apple I’m presenting to Miss Jenny.

Whether she is ushering the Grandlittles here and there, tattooing a dresser, grading Alphabe Thursday essays, or sharing a chapter from her current fictional story, one thing is for sure…she will be witty, entertaining and endearing.


This shameless sucking up is brought to you by the Letter J.

Please hop over to Jenny's blog to check out other J posts.

 Stop back Friday for another peek

into my One Year Blogiversary

Giveaway Package.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Photo Composition and a Giveaway Preview

Have you been keeping up with the Giveaway Previews?  For those of you who are new, I will be celebrating my One-Year Blogiversary on June 28 with a BIG GIVEAWAY.  The package is worth more than $100 and includes items geared towards those who read my blog.  Today, I'm previewing an item for the photographer.

When I started blogging, I didn’t realize how important photography would be.  It stands to reason (in La-la Land) that if a picture is worth a thousand words, then adding photos to your post conveys a message with a lot less typing.  My carpal tunnel appreciates that idea.  


It soon became apparent my photography skills needed tweaked.  WAIT!  Can you tweak something that doesn’t exist?

When I began studying the photos I saw on other blogs.  What did or didn’t I like about the photos I saw out there?  I spent hours breaking down the techniques and composition of the photos that really caught my attention.

The use of a photo editing program helps a lot.  I can adjust lighting, remove shadows, enhance color, and crop the photos to make them look better and be more interesting.  However, it takes more than creative editing to make a photo stand out.  The composition is paramount to producing an amazing photo.  

Photography: The Art of Composition by Bert Krages provides insight into this aspect of photography.  It provides direction and exercises for developing an eye for good photography.  According to the inside flap of the book, This informative guide will help photographers develop their cognitive skills and take compelling photos. 


I bought a copy of this book for myself AND I bought a copy for YOU!  It will be part of my 1-Year Blogiversary Giveaway Package.  Stop by on June 28 to enter to win a fun collection of goodies.     

Would you care to be my study buddy? 

I will be linking to the following parties:

Outdoor Wednesday

Watery Wednesday

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Blast from the Past: Silly Putty v. Play-Doh

Ever notice when an idea is successful, there is suddenly an onslaught of similar ideas? For instance, look at how many reality shows are on TV since Survivor first became a hit. The other shows are based on the same premise but with a different twist.


When I started researching topics for the Blast from the Past Series, I noticed that many times there were people, places or things that were similar, but different. This is one of those things that makes you say, hmmmm (Arsenio Hall reference).

Today’s topic: Silly Putty or Playdoh?

Silly Putty is plastic putty sold in a plastic egg-shaped container. It was developed by Janes Wright, a GE engineer. Originally name Nutty Putty, it was resistant to rot and it was soft and pliable. Silly Putty can stretch many times its length without tearing and it bounces nearly 25% higher than a normal rubber ball. The best attribute is that it can copy the image of any printed material that it is pressed upon. It was first sold under the trade name of Silly Putty in 1949 and sold faster than any other toy in history with more than $6 million in annual sales.

I so wanted Silly Putty when I was a little girl,

but my mother always said no. 

Poor La.

Play-Doh was first tested six years later after development by Noah and Joseph McVicker who then founded Rainbow Crafts to start manufacturing their product in Cincinnati, Ohio. The original compound came only in off-white, but by 1957 came in yellow, red, and blue. Pay-Doh is similar to regular modeling clay, but without the toxicity or mess.

Mom did allow me to have Play-Doh. Lucky La

Come back Wednesday for another peek into my 

One-Year Blogiversary Giveaway Package!

 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Have you met...and a Giveaway Preview

There are so many incredibly talented bloggers in the Land of Blog. I am in awe of these fabulous artists who are so gifted they are experiencing great success at exhibits, sales, and contests. Some are even published in national and international publications.


One of these fabulous artists is Cindy Adkins. Most of you know Cindy, and if you don’t hop right over to her blog and pay her a visit…

WAIT!  

OK, I’d appreciate it if you wait until you finish my post first. Where did you leave your manners this morning?

Cindy is a mixed media artist from Louisiana who is exceptionally talented, with an eye for detail. I own many of Cindy’s pieces of artwork. Some, I purchased from her Etsy store, but I was also gifted, by Cindy herself, several items; she has the heart of a giant.

Recently, Cindy expanded her Etsy store to include home décor. She offers many re-purposed items for your home for $10 or less. I know that speaks to your thrifter soul.


As if she isn’t busy enough, Cindy also publishes a weekly online magazine, Whimsical Musings Magazine, where she spotlights other artists, their wares, and their blogs. What a giver she is!


You can find Cindy in the spring issue of Creating Vintage Charm and this summer, she will be featured in a French magazine. Congratulations, Cindy!

Now before you go visit Miss Cindy, I’d like to show you what goodies will be in my One-Year Blogiversary Giveaway package that will appeal to those with a creative soul. To all my mixed-media, scrapbook, card making friends, I am offering a collection of embellishments, tags, and ribbon to add to your stash.

The giveaway will begin on June 28.  Stay tuned for more previews...

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

DIY and a Giveaway Preview

Hello Friends. How is your weekend going?

I’ve started collecting items for a kitchen makeover. This project is both exciting and daunting. We have been waiting for the sub contractor to finish the drywall for months and I am at the end of my patience. I dread having the kitchen torn up and unusable for a couple of days, but I'm looking forward to a new look.

Last year's big DIY project was the re-make of my bedroom.  It went from a deep purple bedroom with little style to a French Rose Garden.  You can read about the transformation here. 

No self respecting DIYer is without the basics of the trade: Gorilla Glue and painters tape.

What’s that?

You don’t have these items in your arsenal?

Your supply is depleted and you keep forgetting to pick some up when you go to the store?

Not to worry; I have you covered. These items are included in my One-Year Blogiversary Giveaway Package. The giveaway includes items for all types of bloggers: foodies, shoppers, photographers and more. Be sure to stop over on June 28 for your chance to win a package worth more than $100! 

I will be previewing more items leading up to the giveaway.  Be sure to stop back for another glimpse.

I am linking to Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Tea for Two: Sour Cream Pound Cake

Hello friends.

It's been a while since I shared some of my teacups with you.  Will you join me?

Jordan’s girlfriend, Ashlee, works at an assisted living facility.  Last winter, one of her residents was selling her teacup collection and Ashlee bought several for me.  

I love the delicate beauty of a teacup.  These two cups are very similar.  Aren’t they pretty?  I set the table with a pink tablecloth, a dainty doily, a beautiful pink candleholder I won from Happier than a Pig in Mud, and sweet floral dessert plates.

Today, I am serving English Breakfast Tea.  It is one of my favorites and will pair perfectly with this delicious Sour Cream Pound Cake I made just for your visit.  

Sour Cream Pound Cake
3 Cups Sugar
2 Sticks Butter, softened
6 Large Eggs, divided and beaten
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Vanilla (Yes it is a tablespoon not a teaspoon)
3 Cups All-purpose Flour
¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda


Preheat oven to 300*.  Cream sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl.  Add egg yolks and mix thoroughly.  Mix flour and baking soda in a small bowl.  Add to the butter mixture, along with the sour cream and vanilla.  Mix well.  Fold in beaten egg whites.  Bake in a greased and floured tube pan for 1 hour, 45 minutes.  

Would you like your cake plain…

 …or with berries and cream?

This recipe is from Teatime Treats.  It’s a sweet little book featuring recipes for teas, finger sandwiches, and desserts.  

Guess what?  

I am giving a copy to one of my readers as part of my

One-year Blogiversary Giveaway!

I’m also including

a box of assorted black teas
A box of Chocorooms (You will love them)
and a beautiful hand-printed tea towel 

for you to enjoy with your delicious treats.  

Be sure to stop back soon because I will 
 preview more items from the giveaway.

The giveaway post will be published on
 on June 28.  You will want to enter to win

a gift package worth more than $100.

I will be linking to the following parties:

Teacup Tuesday

Teatime Tuesday

Friday Favorites

Foodie Friday
Fat Camp Friday
Sweet Tooth Friday
Saturday Spotlight

Sweets This Week

Pink Saturday

Sweets for Saturday

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!