my 1st new set of wheels!

I picked up my new car yesterday!!! I was so nervous {and excited} to drive it off the lot yesterday in the pouring rain especially after the salesman took the leisure to tell me how much a new car depreciates as you drive it off the lot ... seriously ... must you share that tidbit. My cell phone rang on the way home so many times ... for the first time I ignored it. Despite the congratulatory calls I was terrified to attempt to talk and drive! Not to worry ... I will be a better multi-tasker soon enough!

I just LOVE the new car smell!! It is smooth, quiet, roomy, and everything I didn't have to have, but hubby wanted for me. I was more than content driving my previous Honda and really was crushed when she finally died...God knew that I was a little too attached to my 1992 Honda Accord and that she wouldn't be retired until she quit running. I think I can get used to this new model though!

She barely fits in the garage...I will either have to get much better at it or hubby and I will be bonding daily getting her in and out of the garage and up the hill on the side of our apartment...gotta love vintage brownstones!
I can't think Mrs. Diller and her hubby enough for letting us borrow their car for 6 weeks! It was such a blessing to be able to have a car when hubby was away and to take our time in picking out the car that was right for us and not having to rush into such a big decision. What precious friends the Lord has blessed us with! I will miss that sable!

christmas tree oh christmas tree...

oh how I miss thy branches! With the busi-ness of life, T&T, and going home for the holidays for a month...it has been decided that we won't be putting up a Christmas tree this year. {Sniffle, sniffle} I can't tell you how much I LOVE putting up my Christmas tree...I have done it professionally, personally, and for friends for many years and can't believe this year I won't be putting ours up. So...in celebration of all the Christmas trees of years past I will be posting them randomly and a few over to the right on the side bar. Just bear with me as I decorate my blog instead of my living room with thy beautiful branches!
I did decorate the mantle and have pulled out the vintage Christmas balls. My mom sent us boxes upon boxes of vintage Christmas balls the first year we were married. Hubby began to get scared when the boxes kept coming weekly full of Christmas balls! I just love the colors!!!

I found these glittered reindeer at the Z-Gallery last year! I'm so impressed that their antlers survived storage...just my luck they would have turn to doe this year!

jolly ol'e sale!

This week ONLY T&T is having a jolly ol'e sale! To make finding that something special for all ages I have created a HOLIDAY GUIDE. Enjoy 20% off your order of $25 or more for this week only. Enter coupon code: jollyfriends20 in the comments box at checkout. You will be refunded the 20% once your transaction settles. As always, FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100. {Sale ends 12.1.07}

back to Texas he goes...

We loved having Austin visit this last week! He has headed home, but it was so nice to have him here and it was a nice jump start to heading home for the holidays next month! His visit made us miss home even more. We are really looking forward to going home and feel so blessed to be able to be there so long.
To say the least Stanley gave me the boot and his uncle Austin his undivided attention! I can only imagine how he will love being home in Texas too with 2 other Yorkie boys!

first snow...

The first snow came the day after Thanksgiving...what a reminder that fall is passing and winter is moving in! I better find out where the gloves are!

a new car!!!!

Hubby and I have been looking at options for replacing my car since it died several weeks ago. We narrowed down our choices earlier this week to a 2008 Honda Accord. We felt very comfortable with this as I come from a family of Hondas, but it still doesn't make taking a jump into purchasing a new car too much easier to swallow. Hubby and my brother headed to the dealership on Wednesday and handled the wheeling and dealing so I wouldn't have to be "subjected" to it! They were so sweet to handle the nitty gritty so I could just come in today and pick my color and interior.

{ test driving...take a look through the windshield at the SNOW! }

{ sealing the deal...taking the jump! }

They didn't have the color we wanted so I will have to wait a few more days for my new set of wheels, but come Monday I will be cruising a new car...fresh car smell and all!!!

{ This is my 100th post!!! What a way to celebrate! }

shopping before the sun comes up!

Austin has been wanting to cross over into the new age and get a digital camera! What better time than "black" Friday right! I must say as much as I enjoy shopping and love a great deal...I have never ventured out on the day after Thanksgiving so early that the moon is still out for a few hours! Well....today that changed forever! Austin and I made a memory...and bought a few things! The plan was to get his camera at Best Buy...lets just say when we drove up at 4:50AM and the line was wrapped around the BACK of the building we quickly moved on to creating a plan B! We headed down the street to Wal-Mart, stood in the pouring down snow, and listened to the locals bicker about the crowd at the front that thought they were too good to stand in line and staked out the spot to stampede the front of the line...rude! We waited in line like crazy patient patrons! Plan B worked!!!...Austin got his camera...and a few other "must-haves" for a great deal and were back home in bed by 6:10AM!

{ pic from The Plain Dealer...I wasn't awake enough to think of grabbing my camera this morning! }

lovely day of thanks!

We enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving full of reminders of all to be thankful for! We were so excited to have Austin joining us this year and gathering around the table with the Dillers again this year.

{ What a group of hungries! }

{ Table is set and ready for the feast! }

{ A table full of laughter of the littles, warm food, and family! }

best friends {the hostess!}

{ the boys and their bird!...fried! }

...because of her

Thanksgiving has always been my Nanny's holiday! The reason for the season defined her. She lived her life full of thanks! She opened her home and her table to so many each year on this special day. There were always so many guests that there wasn't one table, but 4 large ones. She cleared out the living room, pushed out the couches, brought in 6 foot tables, cooked for days, and hosted all the family whom many started out years ago as family-less.

You see, she didn't define family by blood, but by heart. She was the one we were all thankful for. Because of her Thanksgiving changed meaning for many families...families who had no where else to go for Turkey Day.

As we celebrate each Thanksgiving after her passing we are not only reminded by how special she was, but what an even more special day Thanksgiving is because of all she taught us. Thanksgiving will never be the same without her, but because of her we will never be the same either.

{ our last Thanksgiving all together }

When I got married she gave me the most precious gift. A cookbook full of her recipes in her own hand! Since she has gone on tis book is all the more precious. So today and always I think of her when I am preparing the meals from recipes that she has left me and I know that these meals start from love! Each Thanksgiving I continue to keep her memory alive by preparing the favorites from her table...Nanny's cheese potatoes!!

menus, memories, and munchins!

Gettin' ready for turkey day!!! I have made it to the grocery store { and survived!}, my brother has landed from Texas, and I have pulled out all the menus...its almost time!

Miss Hannah and I have been busy today getting ready. We kicked the boys out of the kitchen, pulled out the vintage aprons, and started cooking! She has been such a big help...stirring, pouring, and even cracking eggs {her favorite!}.

We are having Thanksgiving Dinner at the Dillers again this year. Briana and I split up the menu and each cook our family's staples! The guys will be handling frying the turkey! Here is my portion of the menu...full of family memories!

{ Menu } Mom's Dressing : Nanny's Cheese Potatoes : Sweet Potato Creme Brulee : Chocolate Pie : Deviled Eggs {Austin will be covering this!}

sooo needy!

Mr. Stanley was quite needy yesterday. He wouldn't let me work on T&T...I was trying to create a new homepage for the holidays. Umm...he didn't care. I needed to get it up yesterday so I could spend the rest of the week not worrying about it. Ummm...he didn't care. He cried at my feet, he cried on the couch, he cried from the table on the back of the couch...who cares that he was going to get in trouble for being there...it at least was attention.

So...realizing that I wasn't going to get ANYTHING done with his whines I decided to give in to his neediness and take him outside to exert some energy.

It was gorgeous outside yesterday! It was like a treat of good weather before the snow hits later this week! The boys loved playing in the leaves and running about. I walked next door to check out the blanket of leaves on the ground below the tree outside our living room window...GOLDEN! A golden opportunity too to snap a few pictures of the little boys...well kinda! Check out this first shot. Little Wilson all calm and taking in the fresh air. He is quite the poser for the camera. Then check out this second shot. Mr. Stanley enjoyed the fresh air racing through his lungs! This was the ONLY shot I got of him sitting...it of course was by chance! He exerted his neediness though and was busy running about. What I got was a little quiet time since they both fell fast into a nap when we got back upstairs...and a beautiful walk to check out the leaves...exactly what I needed after all!

giving + receiving

Hubby and I have been give the task of making Christmas lists of wants by our mothers! {they mean business!} I can't get on the ball to put our lists together. I can't explain it...its not that I don't WANT anything! oh I want! ... I WANT every time I go into Target and see that cute top on the racks and that sweater...adorable!; I WANT each time I step into my favorite quaint shop and admire the eye candy of the vintage treats; I WANT when I stumble across a new website and see "the cutest thing ever!"; and I WANT anytime I stumble across vintage baubles at a flea market.

You see I heart "things", but more than ever this year what I WANT is to go home. I want to lay in bed and my mom beg me to get up so I don't sleep the day away; I want to stay up so late watching home movies with my family that our stomachs hurt the next morning from laughing; I want to eat out at our favorite restaurants; I want to beg my mom to make my favorite meals since she is on day 6 of hubby's favorites!; I want to check out the Christmas lights with hubby's family and then the same ones with mine!; I want to enjoy the commotion of having 4 yorkie boys under one roof; I want to share the one jack and jill bathroom with my siblings again and hear daily for "someone to unlock the door"!; I want my dad to ask us yet again..."would you like burgers for dinner"?
I have been wanting to go home so badly this year that wondering what will be under the Christmas tree hasn't crossed my mind yet. I just want to be there! I'm gonna make a list...because the mommas said so and also because I know that they want us to be happy above all! I also know that the best part of a momma's giving is watching her children receiving! Well and I do suppose there are a few things I want!

a time of harvest...

Since I introduced you to our turkey at the front door...I remembered that I haven't even invited ya'll inside since my Thanksgiving decor is now up. I went with glitter, gold, white pumpkins, and "vintage" green for my look this year.
My mom sent me these feather trees our first Thanksgiving married and our first away from family. They are one of my favorite things! I have not seen anything like them since! I love the variations of colors...and the reminder that they are from my mom!!!

This year mom shared some of her white McCoy collection with me. Therefore, I only found it fitting that it take center stage on the mantle!

greenberg!

Look what greeted us at our doorstep today! Hubby's parents send us a Greenberg Turkey each year for Thanksgiving since we are unable to be home for the holiday. They send a taste of home to our Thanksgiving table! If you aren't familiar with Greenberg...then I must introduce you... faithful readers this is a Greenberg turkey {the holiday aristocrat!}, the best smoked turkey your taste buds will ever meet. It is made in our very own hometown of Tyler, Texas by the Greenberg family for 68 years now and is shipped all over the world for the holidays! If you would like to order your own check out their website rightly named...gobblegobble.com! If you are still not convinced...check out Oprah's thoughts on the bird!

...go ask my husband!

{ Quote of the day: }
"student": Ashley, what is the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis {sp?}?
"me": Umm...what?
"student": Can you explain to me the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis {sp?}?
"me": {looking around behind me} Are you asking ME that question?
"student": Yea, I am supposed to know this for my surgery exam. I didn't know if you could tell me.
"me": OH no! No I can't! Umm...not me! I am medically challenged. Email my husband he will be able to tell you.
"those listening": Oh yea, Brandon is her husband. He is smart...he will know the answer.

momma didn't say there would be days like this...

...but she prepared me anyway! I was asked to have my feet "borrowed" today for testing. {no not animal!} There was a radiology test in need of an extra pair of feet for x-rays. Ahhh...do you know the last time I had a pedi? Me either! I decided I couldn't bare my feet to the public without a little TLC. Therefore, I gave myself a pedi on the fly!

I pulled out all the tricks...my mom bought me this amazing file that has a lifetime warranty on it {it breaks they replace it AND its washable}...I used it to clean up around the edges! Then my nail polish...well I carry it in my work bag for those need-a-new-coat moments. Then to top it all off and to take away my dry heels I applied some of this Hand & Cuticle Salve...LOVE it! My mom sent it to me in my birthday package. I highly recommend it and have one for my purse and another on my nightstand! If only you could smell its soothing lavender! You can get some for yourself or a friend here or at your neighborhood Wal-Mart Supercenter {the plain Wal-Mart's don't usually have it}.

I must say my feet passed the test!!!! I mean, the students passed their test! Although, now I know...these students are so nervous when testing that they could have cared less when I painted my toes last, they were just happy to have small feet to work with!

take a look outside my window!

I snapped some pictures from within our apartment today. I can't explain how beautiful this time of year is to this Southern gal's eyes! We just don't have these colors in Texas! The tree outside our living room window is a gorgeous gold every year. Since we are not on the ground floor its as if you are living IN it and not under it! Love it!!!

{ a view from within}

{ still holding on }

{ nature's gold }


{ not giving in to peer pressure }

happy happy birthday austin!

...another day older, another year wiser!
We love you and can't wait to see you next week!

lovely comments!

did you notice? I am quite excited...Blogger has FINALLY added a feature that I have been wanting!!! They have added the ability for a commenter {YOU} to know when the author {ME} replies to a comment you have left on Have a Lovely! Now you will know that I am listening and that I heart each and every one of your comments!!

{ This is a feature that has left me contemplating switching to TypePad...way to go Blogger...I will be staying here! }

lovin' feet!

According to a recent report from the Center for Economic Policy Research in Washington and the Center for Social Policy at the University of Massachusetts, PODIATRISTS rank within the TOP TEN of GOOD JOBS!

Hubby will be excited to hear the news that he chose the right career...and I thought all my other feet lovin' friends would enjoy hearing that they too are on the right track according to recent reports! Makes going into those interviews next month a little easier? Probably not, but pretty cool that DPMs are getting the love and appreciation for keeping America walking!

a vintage holiday...

T&T was invited to participate in a quaint holiday guide right up my alley...A Vintage Holiday! Check it out for yourself here... It is full of fab finds, discount codes, and unique gifts! So if you plan on shopping online here is a great start!

I took a quick stroll through it and already found a few favorites...
How cute is she!? You can make her yourself from the kit at Angelina's.
and this...this would look just lovely around my neck!


and this for my arm...oh my! I hope hubby reads this post!

google showing T&T some love!

YEA!!! I randomly checked out GOOGLE today to see where T&T ranked for "art folio". Check out this screen shot...we are ranked #2 on the first page!!!!! SWEET!!!

{ now if only I can get "lunch tote" moved up from page 34. } We came in #75 out of 905,000 for "mommy calling cards"putting us on page 8...not too bad! I am happy to be in under 100 and on a single digit page!

hail, rain, & snow + an antique buffet...

The things I'll do for a good piece of furniture! I was on my way home earlier this week...it was hailing pencil erasers and already dark as I headed through the 5:00pm traffic! I spotted a piece of furniture with great legs on the side of the road. Got out in the hail and rain to check out this piece...it was a lovely antique buffet!...and being drenched by the rain, snow, and hail. I headed to their front to door to see if they minded if I have their trash and if they could keep it in their garage until my husband got home with his truck!

Knowing that hubby was in surgery fixing an ankle for either 20 min. or several hours {depended on the damage}...I was at a LOSS of how to get this antique buffet home seeing that it was only 1 block away and getting DRENCHED! Well...Miss Jessica called wanting company for a trip to the grocery store. I then proceeded to try to talk her into getting the dolly and walking the buffet back to our apartment. "Its hailing outside Ashley!!"...I know the furniture will be ruined! We decided to drive-by and measure see if it would fit in her car...nope! Again, I tried to get the owner to see if they would store their trash for me. To no avail! We ended up at the grocery store instead since the dolly was locked in the storage room of the basement!

Hubby called a bit later...tired and hungry since he had been at the hospital since 6:30am and hadn't eaten since then! I asked him for a favor to warn him of the help I would need...I offered cinnamon rolls in the oven! Hubby agreed {well sorta not really, ok not at all, but helped me anyway} and we headed to get the buffet...still raining and hailing pencil erasers!

I will try to snap a picture this weekend...with the time change it is always dark in the basement by the time I get home! Oh yea...the small part I didn't mention...the buffet is in the basement right now because it won't fit in our apartment...yet!

***ETA: I was able to snap a pic...only because of the flash though. Therefore, it is still hard to access the damage of the rain and hail. Nevertheless, I am planning to paint it black and detress it a bit. I think it might turn out just nicely!

the rainbow after the storm...

I am chilled and overwhelmed once again by God's blessings. In early May 2007, the Coble family of California lost their 3 young children, Emma, Katie, and Kyle when an 18-wheeler ran into the back of their mini van. I didn't know them, but can't explain how forever touched I was by their story. As many others, I was compelled to follow their story...I was drawn to their strength and amazed by their love for each other and their children which showed through in each picture. They were special parents...they seemed to not get caught up in the busi-ness of life. Lori was a stay-at-home mom who was all of a sudden not consumed with the morning routine of school, toys all over the floor, dinner for 5, and bedtime stories. I began reading their story, keeping up with their progress, and wondering how can one family endure the loss of all of their children to such a horrific and senseless act. There wasn't a day for months that the thought of them didn't flood my mind and ache my heart. So I would pray.

They closed their guest book in August and there was no longer a way to keep up with them...they still remained on my mind at random times. I was just thinking of them this week and wishing there was a way to see how they were coping with "the new normal". I heard today the blessing out of this tragedy...the Cobles are pregnant with TRIPLETS! One boy and two girls! They are due in May! "Bittersweet", they say, but a blessing all the way!

{ Borrowed picture from LifetoMotion.com }

NOT cool!...freezing!

It is SO cold here! It snowed today and hailed all evening...sooo not cool! I am not mentally ready for winter...now, I realize mother nature doesn't need my permission or mental stability in order to turn on the winter machine, but seriously she was just visiting in April. She has more than worn out her welcome this year! Please...not yet! I am enjoying the flaming red trees and golden leaves that have glittered the ground...lets not yet cover it with snow!

giggles make for a great weekend!

There is nothing like spending time with your sister! It was great to have her visit us this weekend! We had fun shopping, seeing the sites, making handmade treats, enjoying good eats, and walking the beach!