Southern Hospitality

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

 

So, what is Southern Hospitality, anyway? 

It's  southern women (and men) inherently gracious, taking the time and extra effort to make others feel welcome in their homes.  It's treating family and friends in your home with kindness, respect, and attentiveness, putting them at ease, and making them feel a little special. 
  
My association with the garden club ladies, which started about twenty years ago, gave me a wonderful opportunity to see gracious southern women in action. Their homes warm and inviting with much attention to detail. I learned a lot from these fabulous ladies and still today, am most grateful to have had (and still have) them in my life.

Making another person feel welcomed in your home - a satisfaction, for me, in the simple pleasures that using beautiful things can bring.  Making guests feel welcome by seating them at a pretty dining table and making them feel a part of a warm, personal, and happy occasion. 

I am one who loves pretty things. You know what I mean, don't you? There are just some women - especially southern women - who love pretty things.  For me that's crystal, china, and silver, etc.    For others it might be bright colorful pottery and / or colored cut glass, stoneware, etc.  The kinds of things that we love to use to make our family and guests feel our hospitality.  I claim, or perhaps even blame, the garden club ladies for my love of dishes, silver, crystal, and "pretty things."  They definitely rubbed off on me - in a good way!  Entertaining family and friends, tending to every detail of putting together a cocktail party or dinner party -- watching and observing how they did all.

There is no greater compliment we can pay our friends than to invite them into our personal environment.   I recall, 30 or so years ago, when my then colleague - now my dear 85 year old friend - invited me to her home for the first time.  She told me she liked for her friends to see how she lived.  I thought that was so telling of her loving personality,  opening her home to me, which was also her offering me her friendship.  She often graciously shared her southern hospitality with me.  I was very young - a newlywed -  and she definitely had a major impact on my life and influenced me as I put together my own southern home.

My grandmother was a gracious lady who extruded southern hospitality, but she wouldn't see it as entertaining - she was always just having "company."   She was the country cook who didn't think of having a dinner party, but she was always ready to cook for others, and share her food with company.  It doesn't matter which word you use - entertaining or having company - it's southern hospitality. 

We are our most open and gracious self when sharing food and conversation with others in a relaxed and beautiful setting.   What better way to enjoy our friends than by lingering over a delicious meal served on a beautiful table in our homes?  It doesn't matter if the meal is made from scratch or picked up from a gourmet grocery store.    Our family and friends will appreciate the personal attention and effort, no matter how extraordinary or minimal the food served and shared. 


As I conclude this blog, let me just say thank you to a few of my favorite garden club ladies who had an impact on me... to Jeanne Kumpuris Spencer, Imogene Miller, Ruth Rawls Lawson, and Joan Olson for your natural grace and southern hospitality shown to me over the years. 

It doesn't matter how you describe a gathering - it doesn't matter how fancy or minimal -- what matters is that you share your graciousness - your warm and inviting home in love and kindness to the people important to you in your own "Southern Style of Hospitality!" 

Now, how about dessert,
Gayla



Clicking My Heels No More!

The Gayla Pink Apple

Do you recall my splurge purchase last fall in NYC?  The Dolce and Gabbana heels?  Well, I wore them tonight!  I was clicking my heels just like Dorothy - well, not really like Dorothy - but, indeed I loved wearing these sequin runway heels.

 

I have always enjoyed wearing my heels.  Through the years, I wore heels daily to work - just one of my signature things. 

 

One cold Thanksgiving weekend (2007) Blair and I drove to Chicago on Friday after Thanksgiving.  It was bitter cold with snow mounds piled higher than the top of my car.  I wore heels!!  Yes, I did.  I quickly took them off and switched to boots - but my point is that I had my heels with me!  LOL

My fab Dolce and Gabbana heels -- on "my" feet

 

So, for my splurge purchase while in NYC last fall to be a pair of heels was pretty typical, yet the shoe itself was not typical.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I put these shoes - the sequin Dolce and Gabbana heels - on my feet! 

 

Getting to the point of my blog - other than the fact that I wore these fabulous shoes - is that my fear of a possible rude awakening, for this lady in her late fifties, almost became a reality!  When you give 'em up, it's hard to get it back.  I haven't worn heels in a little over a year.  I haven't worked (outside my home) since the summer of 2011 and therefore, no longer wear heels daily.  Running around in flip flops or uggs boots - depending upon the time of year -- for the past year and a half - well, it kind of kicked me in the behind. 

 

Not to be outdone - I knew this would be a possibility.  Last week I'd walk around the house wearing a pair of heels to make sure I could walk in them tonight.  Yeah, do I really want to admit that?  Sure, why not - it's the truth!  Sadly, I think I lost the battle.  I can no longer strut my stuff in my heels without a little mental focus.  Oh, I wore them and loved wearing them.  I survived the evening in them.  But, I am so glad all I did was get out of the vehicle and walk into the State Capitol - made it up the stairs - sat down in a chair for the wedding ceremony!  Afterwards, walked back down the stairs and to the vehicle!  Whew! 

I may have to start doing laundry wearing heels, huh?
Gayla

 

 

 



My Backyard Rejuvenation Complete!

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

Several weeks ago, I went on a rampage revamping my neglected backyard.  I hate to use the word neglected - but it is the word that fits.  For the past five or more years we let the yard go.  I've written several blog posts, along the way, about the backyard revamp - so forgive me for repeating myself here.

Since I am no longer working outside the home - which by the way, I've always considered myself a stay-at-home Mom - I now have time and no excuse not to help with the yard, so, I decided to take on the backyard.  The entire yard hasn't been overhauled, -- a lot has been done and it's all I can take on this year.  So, for now, I'm finished. 

On a side comment... I became a stay-at-home Mom when my daughter turned two years old.  I didn't work outside the home for many years.  My association with a couple organizations during her young years were either volunteer work or part-time with hours of 9am-1pm.  I was always at home when she wasn't in school.  Then, I returned to work outside the home (full time) in 2005 and continued working until June 2011.  So, there's the five plus years of neglecting the backyard (LOL.)  In addition, I went through breast cancer surgeries and treatment in 2005 - another period of time where the yard was not a priority. 

So, back to the topic...I had no idea what to do with this backyard - I just knew something, repeat something, had to be done.  I dug up weeds with a hand tool.  I've hauled bricks and edged walkways with them.  I've hauled and placed pavers to extend and add new walkways.  I've transplanted perennials - digging them up from one spot and replanting somewhere else.  I've planted a few new shrubs and flowers.  Planted urns with annuals to bloom for the summer.  Added a couple nice comfortable patio chairs; brought back an old birdbath to life with a new birdbath bowl; and converted a huge birdbath fountain into a planter with flowers now blooming in it.  I've mulched, fertilized and watered, oh dear, watering -- water, water, water! 

I think it is now time to just sit back and enjoy - well, wait a minute - there is this thing called maintaining it all.  So, I guess now it is really time to find a routine of weeding, fertilizing, and watering, while sitting back and enjoying it all.  Darn, seems I just created work for myself!  Oh well, goodbye unsightly yard and hello to oscomote, preen, and watering hoses!

Flowers planted in Urn

 

The large birdbath fountain converted to a planter with begonias blooming.

Flowerpot renewed and planted

 

Old birdbath brought back to life!

 

Walkways edged with bricks

 

Walkway out to Casey's Blooms

 

Walkway to lower level

 

New Patio Chairs

 

If you ring my doorbell and no answer, just come around to the back yard --  I'll be sitting and chatting with Alvin and Theodore (my little backyard chipmunks) - after I've weeded, fertilized, and watered.  Oh, and...NO, I do not like yard work.  Ugg, now...why did I do all this?  What was wrong with a few weeds, anyway?  You know...it's kind of like exercising - I like having done it, but I don't like doing it, however, it feels good after I'm finished. 

Weeding, fertilizing, and watering,

Gayla



Here Birdie, Birdie!

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

We moved into this house 30 years or so ago.  While pulling up old ivy, which was planted on a slope / small hill, I found the bottom portion of an old birdbath buried in the overgrown ivy.  I was never able to find a bowl for it - but, admit I really didn't try very hard.  I am not sure why - no reason really - just wasn't a priority.  However, I kept the old thing - moved it here and there!  Even spray painted it several times and used it as a plant stand, etc. 

 

 



While I was out shopping today, I saw this glass birdbath bowl! YAY!  I'm thinking, wow, here's a new top for the old birdbath bottom that has been in my backyard for years. Since I've been working the past month rejuvenating portions of the backyard - why not bring the birdbath back to life - I think it's pretty darn neat!  

Oh, the round rock in the center is a rock we found years ago and kept it because it was, well, round. Just thought it was a little unusual to find a round rock and felt it added a little 'interest.'
 

 

Here Birdie, Birdie!  Come get a drink or if you prefer do a little splishing and a splashing! 

 

 

  

Pawprints Left By You!

The Gayla Pink Apple

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Today, May 17, 2013, would have been Casey's 15th Birthday!

 

 

Our beloved Shih Tzu, Casey, passed away three months ago and today would have been her 15th birthday.  Every day, I grieve the absence of her presence in my life. 

Lady Peek-a-Boo Casey Marie

May 17, 1998 - February 7, 2013

Photo shortly before she died at age 14 1/2 yrs

Today, my throat hurts as I swallow, fighting back the tears -- I allow my mind, heart, and soul to reminisce. 

 

 Casey's Blooms in converted bird bath!

A couple months ago I planted begonias in this converted bird bath in memory of Casey. I love it and it sits proudly right in the middle of the back yard -- in the area which belonged to her!

Then, I made a walkway from our back patio leading out to Casey's Blooms...

 



 

Finished walkway to Casey's Blooms

 

Missing you Casey girl!  

 

Evening Lights!  

Happy Birthday Little One,
Pawprints left by you,

Gayla

 

 

 

  

 



 

  

A Mother's Love - Happy Mother's Day - May 12, 2013

The Gayla Pink Apple

Happy Mother's Day

May 12, 2013

~~~

A Mother's Love

 

The day you become a Mother is the day a new kind of love enters your heart and soul.

Blair (age 1 yr) and me in 1990

It is also the day you realize just how your own Mother felt the day you were born.  I was in awe that my mother could have possibly loved me as much as I loved my baby.  As I sat and stared into my baby's eyes, how was it possible to love something more than this? 

 



 A mother's love is forever
A mother's love is for free
It doesn't matter if you're good or bad
She's there for whatever you need

Doesn't matter if you're good or bad
There's nothing like a mother's love

(excerpt of lyrics by Diana Ross)

 

Happy Mother's Day to my Mother, Helen Tapley.

My Beautiful Mother

 

Happy Mother's Day to all Mother's in my life.  A Mother's Love - well - there's nothing else like it. 

 

My Mother's Day last year, 2012, with my daughter

 

A Mother's Love,

Gayla



Reading With a Full View!

The Gayla Pink Apple

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Reading With a Full View?

 

I've worned reader glasses for several years. I have a big collection of them - all different colors.

Just a few of my collection of readers!

Most of them are basically the same style - they sit low and you look over the top of them to see at a distance and you look down through the magnification to read.   But, my new ones are different...

My New Reader Glasses-The Verdict is Still Out!

My new readers are a new style for me - they're a full lense.  I am not sure I am going to be able to adjust.  Seems odd for me to have a pair of glasses with the full lense on my face.  So, the verdict is still out. 

  

As you can see from the top photo above, most of my reader glasses are pretty much the same style, just a different color.  The photo shows a few of my collection - I probably have two or three times as many.  I love having all different colors - fun to wear a different pair depending upon my clothing, mood, or whatever!  

 

I don't know if I am going to be successful in switching to the full lense style or not - we shall see!  I do like the cream and black design, so I am hoping I will love to wear them too! :)

Reading with a full view,
Gayla

 

 

 



 

 



My Little Brick Road (Walkway) Phase II

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

My Little Brick Walkway  -  Phase II

 

Last week, I shared my Little Brick Road (walkway) redo with you.  Well, I decided to extend the walkway further, angling it out and connecting it to a couple other areas of our neglected yard. 

I guess once I got started, I couldn't seem to finding a stopping place....so I continued the walkway over to meet the lower level of our yard.  Before and after photos shown above are not totally finished - but it's complete enough that you get the idea.

Since I'm on a roll, I might as well keep going. Before and after photos above -- the walkway which connects up with an old area and joins the brick steps leading to the lower level of the yard.

 

That's all for now!  Oh wait, I do have a phase III which I just started.  You can see part of it in the photo above on the right.  It will extend the walkway out to the large concrete bird bath which houses flowers in memory of our precious shih tzu, Casey, -- who passed away three months ago.  Actually, her little bird bath with flowers is probably what started the whole redo in the first place.  I wanted a more pleasing and relaxing atmosphere as I sat outside, secretly chatting with her, to reminisce while admiring her flowers. 

Yeah, I definitely need to do something about all those weeds instead of grass.  However, the back yard has so much shade, it is very difficult - almost impossible - to grow grass in the shade. I'm not sure yet what to do about that. For now, I need to finish what I've started!
 

I need a make-over now; Whew,

Gayla
 



Our Own Little Alvin

The Gayla Pink Apple

~~~

The Backyard Chipmunk

Our Little Alvin 

 

A chipmunk is living in our backyard and he is the cutest thing! He lives in the rock pile located in the far back corner of our yard, where he has created his burrow. He roams the yard - I'm assuming he is searching for food. 

My Little Alvin eating my mulch 

As you may recall, I re-worked a small portion of the backyard - cleaning up a couple neglected walkways. I've planted a few new shrubs and perennials, along with impatiens and begonias (annuals) for the summer. It was during my many hours working in the yard the past two weeks that I met little Alvin! 

 

I do know that little Alvin is a member of the squirrel family. Yes, I know he is a rodent - but, I can't help it, I think he is adorable - he is so tiny. I am not going to destroy his burrow or try to run him out of his home.  I have plenty of yard to share. 
 

Welcome Wagon,

Gayla

My Little Brick Road...

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

My Little Brick Road (Walkway)

About a month ago, I blogged about how I was not a gardener, and how my association with the garden club ladies, some years back, didn't rub off on me very much.  I said the man of the house wasn't much into gardening either.  I even fussed a little how jealous I was of the garden club women who could just design and plant their landscaping and flower beds --  then tell someone else how to care for it.  In other words, they didn't really do that much physical labor.  Now, before you jump down my throat - I know a few of you who work tirelessly in your yard.  I commend you greatly.  I know who you are too!  So, this blog is not for you.  LOL!  I know you gals that love love love to be outside or working in your yard.

 

Since I am not working outside my home these days - ya know - the lady of leisure I claim to be --  I decided I'd try to improve our yard a little.  Well, frankly, I was to the point of being embarrassed that our yard looked so hideous.  I didn't think the exterior reflected how the interior looked.  Pat myself on the back!  The interior reflects me and, well, the exterior then must reflect someone else, right?  Actually, the exterior reflects me too and that is why I decided to attempt to improve the yard.  In its' current condition, it did not reflect me at all.   If you are my friend you'll understand that comment - but, if you have a caddy heart - you might roll your eyes.  I appreciate you as my friend, and if you are the ladder I won't know it,  therefore, it doesn't matter!   Moving on...

 

Here is the before picture... embarrassing!

 Neglected walkway in backyard

 

Attempting to make it better...below with a few plantings and a little brick work. Left side of walkway finished.

Too bad the buckets are in this picture!
But, hey, it's a work in progress!

 

Still working on the brick walkway and area...starting on the middle brick work.

Middle brick work almost finished!



 It's looking soooo much better, isn't it?  

 

Still working on the brick work...moving to the right side...uggg, I'm tired.  My leg muscles are working overtime.  I've hauled approximately 100 plus bricks from the brick pile, which is located on the lower level of our yard. That means I've carried five bricks at a time up eight steps to my walk/path work area.  Ghee, am I going to be able to run today?  I'd much rather be at the big dam bridge running than carrying these bricks and digging up weeds.  But, hey, I'm country strong!  Do you know that song - Country Strong?  Anyway, plowing on. 


My little brick road / walkway is practically finished!  A few little final touches and some spots to tidy up - but, all in all, it's done! 

Walkway no longer neglected!

 

I may not be a gardener, but on my way to the garden center to buy mulch!

 

Country Strong Done,

Gayla

p.s. - yes, I did it all by myself!!! 

 



 

 

 

 

 



Do You Have a Wall Like This in Your House?

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

Did You Write On The Wall?
Yes, We Did!

1999 - 2008 = age 10 - 18 yrs.

 

A Child's Height Chart Wall!

 

 

Did you allow yourself to chart your child's growth by measuring their height as they grew and marking it with a pencil on the wall?  Yes, I did!  It's a door in the laundry room and my daughter would back up to it - stand tall and proud as I marked the spot.  We'd write the date with her name or initials. 

Now that she is grown and out on her own, I still get to see this sweet reminder every time I do laundry.  Priceless! 

1992 - age 3-4 yrs

Yes, we had a decorative wall hanging growth chart in her room - it was Peter Rabbit - but - it's not nearly as special and neat as this door in my laundry room.  :))  As matter of fact, we never even marked on the Peter Rabbit one. 

 

And, when I'm gone from this house - somebody can just paint over it.  What's a little heavy duty primer and a couple coats of paint versus the fun we had writing on the wall and the smile it brings me when I look at it! 

 

Reminiscing a little today,
and doing a little laundry,

Gayla