SunShine Award

What a surprise to be nominated  for the SunShine Blogger Award by LetaMarie  of Letamariedesigns.  Her blog is so much fun - just like the wonderful jewelry she creates.   She'll have you singing along to Rascal Flatts before you know it!  Please stop in and say Hello to LetaMarie!

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world.

So here are the rules for the Sunshine Award:

1. Place the logo within your blog or post

2.Pass the award on to 12 other bloggers

3.Link the nominees within the post

4.Let the nominees know they have won by commenting on their blog

5.Share the love by linking back to the person from whom you received the award.

I am happy to pass on along the Sunshine Blog Award to some of the blogs that I follow and enjoy reading!

 1. Moags & Smeet
 2. The Fifth Street Palace
 3. Surviving Little People
 4. Two Southern Girls
 5. Honey Sugah Dahlin
 6. God Bless Kellys Home
 7. Just a Queen
 8. Le Petit Poulailler
 9. Flight Fancy
10. My Dream Garden
11. Jumping Jack
12. Sweet Tea and Biscuits

Please check out all these wonderful blogs and have a really Great Day!  Norma

Gulf Coast Charity Series Art Prints

We've spent most of our lives vacationing along America's southern Gulf Coast, anywhere from Texas to Florida.   Unfortunately, we've only recently come to the full realization of the unique and wonderful beauty that is the US Gulf Coast. For us, the wonder of childhood was replaced by the wanderlust of youth and we longed for unfamiliar horizons.  Travel and longevity have brought us back home in our hearts, and replaced our territorial pride with knowledge certain.....from the Mexican border in Texas to the Florida keys, this is one fantastic national treasure!

Now this entire region is threatened, along with a time honored way of life that can never be replaced.  The family heritage of fishermen and shopkeepers will come to an end if action isn't taken soon.  Surely politics and greed won't keep our countrymen from actually stopping this flow of oil.  Hopefully fear and fanaticism won't stop the drilling that feeds families and fuels our nation.  Common ground and common sense must win.  We grow up tough here in the south, and we will survive.  All together, and One step at a time.

We've added a shop section featuring gulf coast images.  A generous portion of the profits from all sales will be donated to Ducks Unlimited.  We like their history and charity ratings, with over 86%  of donations used in programs, not administration.  Their stated mission:  "to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North Americas waterfowl".    Please shop with us today, or contact Ducks Unlimited to make your own donation.

Happy Music!

Life's been a bit tough around here lately.  And now the heat is upon us!  It's only June and it's been near 100 degrees and dry for weeks.  I thought I'd add one of my favorite musical moments for a guaranteed "pick me up".  This is The High Kings, an Irish traditional group.  They are fantastic musicians and fantastic folks!  They've just dedicated this song to my husband....the man that invented Beer!!  Enjoy!

Reflections on Life

Last week we lost a 3 year old cousin in a terrible accident.  We graduated a grandson from high school.  We hospitalized my father-in-law.  It was a week of highs and lows, a real roller-coaster ride.  It was also a time for much reflection on the important things in life, and these 3 stand out: Faith, Family and Friends.

Faith brings that peace that passes understanding; knowing the family will hold that sweet child in their arms again some day.  Family joins hands and shares hugs and tears in joy and sadness.  And friends make life sweeter with their words and prayers of kindness.  I am blessed with all three in abundance, and I am thankful for those that walk with me in this circle of life!

And the Winner is.........

Thanks to all that entered our "Shoppers Prefer" contest.  We have chosen our winner via Random.org, so......drumroll, please.....the winner is VKT (Veteran Kindergarten Teacher)!  Congratulations on your $25 gift certificate. 

In addition, we would like to thank all who voted in our comparison poll.  The results were consistent, with Zibbet maintaining a lead from the beginning.  The final results were: Zibbet at 58.5% preferred to Etsy at 41.2%.  We love all our shops and know that life would be boring if we all had the same tastes, so please don't take offense if you are an Etsy fanatic.  We love Etsy too!