LADIES OF SAN GIOVANNI ITALIAN AMERICANS HAT LUNCHEON

 We all attended Mass at Sacred Heart Basilica on Galveston Island Texas after Mass we said the Memorare together and met for lunch at Sapori's a new Sicilian restaurant on the island. The food was absolutely wonderful. Below are photos of our lovely ladies and their hats.

MY LUMBERJOCK - VICTORIAN MAILBOX STAND

 My husband decided he needed a hobby while he was home. So he bought all manner of wood working equipment and saws. He wasn't home long enough to build many of the things he had in mind because he had to go back to work overseas a week earlier than planned. I had ordered this beautiful hand painted mailbox and wanted him to build just a simple stand for it . Well he didn't do simple, he went all out and built this one with a copper cap, gingerbread and a planter box for me. I love it!!!! I am the envy of the neighborhood.

 Our mail is actually delivered to community mail kiosks in the neighborhood like most of suburbia these days. I wanted this mailbox on my porch for those small packages the postman sometimes brings, for the Avon Lady to drop off Avon books, and for the Jehovah Witnesses to leave brochures. I am a Catholic but I have a great respect for the Jehovah Witnesses, they are kind people , who have never once asked me for a handout. Also just in case I need to leave something for a friend to pick up or drop off its a nice spot.

 

I got these antique wooden mallets at auction for my husband. I figure they might bring his wood shop some Good Luck. Cause " Ya know if your a 1/8th an inch off, your an 1/8th an inch off the whole way"..lol quoting my husband

GALVESTON CHICKEN SHACK STRUT TOUR APRIL 2013

I had no idea when I started keeping my bantams that chickens were the new yuppie thing to do. I was really surprised how keeping chickens has caught on in suburbia. I love my chickens and I am so glad so many folks are enjoying small flocks as well.

 

These are just a few candid shots of interesting coops etc I saw while on the tour. I love the creativity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is actually a cistern. I liked the pattern of the metal. I am hoping to have a cistern put in my yard this summer. We are way behind on rain, so I want to save it up while I can and use it when my garden really needs it.

ST. JOSEPHS DAY 2013

 I was so proud that one of my lambs was placed at the foot of the St. Joseph statue.

 

This is the St Joseph's Altar at Santa Fe, Tx K 0f C Hall

This is the St. Joseph's Altar put on by the San Giovanni Italian Americans Assoc and held at St. Patrick's Church in Galveston (Holy Family Church since the storm)

 I baked all these cakes and cookies and divided them between the two altars. Baking for the altar every year lets me hold on to tradition. After Hurricane Ike destroyed everything I have ever known, things have never been the same. I no longer feel deeply rooted.

 Lime Jello cookies

 Cherry Jello Cookies

 Peach Jello Cookies

 Cherrywinks

 Lemonade cookies with jelly beans

The lamb and rabbit cakes are staples on my family altar. My rabbit cake mold was damaged in the hurricane so it did not come out as I  had planned. I ordered an antique rabbit mold and will use that one next year.

CARNIVALE/ MARDI GRAS

These are a few of my decorations for Mardi Gras. I love the Venetian masks and the romantic ideas of the Masquerade balls.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Chinese New Year is on Sunday February 10 this year. This is year of the Snake. I went to Hong Kong Market and picked up a few traditional things for the celebration. It was amusing that various Asian women kept coming up to me inquisitive about my knowledge of the custom. They were all happy to see that me a person of a different culture was celebrating their holiday. One lady even helped me pick the Luckiest Mum plant for my celebration.

LULU AND HER NEST

Lulu has laid 9 eggs and Buttercup has laid 11. Lulu just began sitting the nest yesterday so we should have baby chicks in 21 days, just in time for my birthday. They should be cute little balls of fluff running around by the time my husband gets home from Antarctica.