Hurricane Irene - The Flip Side

Well from what we've heard Hurricane Irene wasn't the damaging storm that was anticipated, thank goodness! We are on the way on home from our mini-vaca in Raleigh, which was truly nice. Over the past few years, with our finances in the trash, we have had to forego vacations. So we ate yummy food at some fab resturants (another luxury we have done without); swam in the Marriott's indoor/outdoor pool and had a blast swimming in the rain; watched lots of movies; stayed up late, slept in, skipped breakfast, and went straight to lunch!

We've heard the yard is a wreck but the house is safe. We'll know soon enough. But at least we're safe and relaxed...couldn't have asked for a better outcome!

The Storm That Wasn't (Hopefully) ☂

Hello all. It has been way too long since I have posted, I know. However, I do have some fabulous excuses. The first is that WE ARE MOVING BACK TO CALIFORNIA!!! That's right...the Lema Train pulls out of Edenton, North Carolina on September 10th for a 3 day (or so my husband is pushing for) journey across our lovely country. So I have been staying busy figuring out the game plan. There is so much more involved in a cross-country move, especially when that move includes 5 children, 4 of which are school-aged.

Our Darling House

Back Yard & Windows

Ethan ALMOST got all 250 on the screened porch...

 

But amidst all of the planning and packing Mother Nature decided to throw Hurricane Irene at our happy abode. The Town of Edenton and our house in particular is located on the Albemarle Sound and our yard is full of really tall trees, staying wasn't an option. So packing for the move came to a halt and moving furniture and vintage windows inside the house while packing for a fun evacuation to Raleigh and the Marriott. So here I sit in a hotel room hoping that this storm continues to fizzle, but wishing that it would have fizzled big-time before we drove 2 and 1/2 hours to get here. But like they say, "Better safe than sorry." and you just can't take chances when it comes to the ones you love. Maybe, just maybe, I will get lucky enough to get the all-clear early enough tomorrow to head back home and get back to packing. Keep your fingers crossed and I'll bring you an update tomorrow. xoxo

Katie and Dacie feel asleep in the car on the way to Raleigh

☁ Geez ☁

A Moment In Time ♥ Eight

Scarlett and Brogan ♥ August 2007

A Moment In Time ♥ Seven

September 14, 2005 ♥ Scarlett Ann was born
Sharing this in honor of my wonderful husband's Birthday!
An amazing husband and father turned 40 TODAY! xoxo

A Moment In Time ♥ Six

Katie and Cortland ♥ January 2004

Moment In Time ♥ Five

First Tea Party in the South ♥ 2007

A Moment In Time ♥ Three

The Interview Series: Getting To Know Chef Mum aka Sami Brown (Part 2)

Judging by the numbers, you all really enjoyed meeting and reading about my first muse, Sami Brown aka Chef Mum. So without further ado, Part 2...

Sami ~ Chef Mum

Annie Lema: Is Gavin a picky eater? And if he is, what is the easiest way you have found to combat that issue?

Sami Brown: I don’t think that I would classify Gavin as a picky eater. He will try just about anything at least once. If he isn't interested it will come out faster than it went in. We try not to cater to him too much. I mean after all, we aren't a royal family…per se. If he gets hungry enough he will eat just about anything.

Annie: What is your fave drink to have while cooking? Or does it depend on the meal?

Sami: My fave drink to have while cooking is probably a nice BIG glass of red wine. Ever since I took a 6-month wine tasting course in college I have been a big fan of wine. The best money my parents ever spent and possibly the only class I received an A+++ in. What can I say? I was willing to do extra credit.

The Interview Series: Getting To Know Chef Mum aka Sami Brown (Part 1)

♥ Sami and Gavin ♥

I have had such a blast getting to know Chef Mum, aka Sami Brown aka Gavin's Mum. She has an amazing sense of humor along with a perfect sense of self; she knows exactly who she is and readily admits the good, the bad, and the ugly (not that there's much bad or any ugly, but you get the idea). She has had me cracking up since first meeting her on facebook. In fact I was just over at 4th Trimester Cooking's facebook page, verifying one last bit of information, and read two of her wall posts that had me laughing so hard, I cried! (A lollipop in the back of her hair at the post office...! You'll have to read it for yourself.)

Sami blogs for 4th Trimester Cooking, a chronicle of her experiences, being a first-time mom with a humorous and honest kick to it. And the bonus is there are some kick-a** recipes on there! So here we go...

Annie Lema: How long have you and your husband, Garrett been married?

Sami Brown: My husband Garrett and I have been married for roughly 4 years, 9 months, 1 week, 1 day, 12 hours, and 40 minutes...not that anyone is counting. We joke and say that it feels like we have been married for 80 years which may sound bad to some but to us it’s just because we can’t seem to picture our lives without the other. We are a normal married couple. We still fight about the same things that other normal married couples fight about. My husband’s best advice on marriage: “Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other person is you.”

Annie: Now that Gavin Rhys is almost 2, and some of the drama of pregnancy and birth are a bit of a blur, have you considered having more children? Or are you one and done?

Sami: Immediately following Gavin’s birth I would repeat to just about anyone that would listen, “NEVER…EVER…AGAIN!” But like most mom’s who lay eyes on their new perfect genetic creation by the time the drama of the pregnancy and actual birth had become a blur I wanted a herd of children. My son is by far the most perfect thing that I have ever accomplished in my entire life so I definitely wanted more.. Not only have we considered having more but before my doctor could officially give us the thumbs up to conceive again we became pregnant. Gavin was only 10 months old and our first official go at “it” landed us another baby on the way. Of course, this was against all of my husband’s desires who had hoped for a prolonged shag-a-thon.

GOOD DAY GONE BAD and Then Some

GOOD DAY vs. BAD DAY...
(I began writing this post 2 weeks ago.)

How does this happen? Woke up in a decent mood, not'overly wiped-out from the get go (like most mornings); all the kids got off to school; baby slept in until like 8:20ish; husband stayed out of my way until 9ish; AND woke up to a couple of sales. Then everything took a flying leap to the dark side. The first unpleasant maneuver was comprised of picking up my 15 year old son to rescue him from yet another 'school incident'. This one caused by some ridiculous English Honors teacher decided it was ok to give him crap in front of the entire class, a class he has a 96 average in. This of course was during the credits of one of the daily movies that she shows them in lieu of teaching them. Seriously, did you not realize that 'The Other Guys' was a literary film or that Leo Dicaprio's performance surpassed any performer that William Shakespeare could have chosen for Romeo & Juliet. WTHeck???? I'm living a nightmare here. I'm guessing this over-reaction is an extension of feeling like a fish out of water, living in The South instead of Southern California. I don't hate the South, it isn't the location's fault that I don't fit in, but no matter what I've tried...I DO NOT FIT IN!!!

A LITTLE TRIP...
So, as noted above, I began writing this post a couple of weeks ago. And, as things sometimes do, circumstances changed. At first they changed from bad to BAD then to REALLY BAD. Ended up deciding that the best scenario for all involved was a long overdue trip to the doctor to get my meds reevaluated. This is not something quirky folks like me like doing. Tends to be a bit tense, but then I realize that it honestly was for the best and now things are all back on track. Of course this process took me off the radar for about 5 days, therefore created a backlog of work (thankfully my husband/partner was there to pick up the slack while I was absent), but with my new and improved attitude, all went well. I got through most of the backlog and am even branching out, getting some great new things going for Quirks By Annie.

THE WRAP UP...
So, I just wanted to bring you all up to date. Let you know what the haps were and why I have been lagging a bit about getting new articles posted and getting additional information linked to the website, quirksbyannie.com. Thanks so much for reading, following, or just scanning. It helps make my day!!! ♥

In the meantime, PLEASE...


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A Post I Wanted To Share...

This blog post was written by my daughter, Natalie Elizabeth. The subject...Adoption and Me!!! It was so touching for me to read that I just felt I had to share with you. xoxo

Natalie and Me (Age 18ish) - Did This Cause
So Many People Were Saying How Much
We Look Alike...Guess They Are Right! :)

And here is the post...


A little bit about me :): Adopted.: "Being adopted never bothered me. I wasn't the kid that found out when they turned 18 and forever hated their parents for it. I have known f..."

LOOKING FOR KNOWLEDGE...THE PROCESS OF GETTING TO KNOW ANTIQUE & VINTAGE COLLECTIBLES

"In youth we learn; in age we understand." - Marie von Ebner Eschenbach

"Maybe I'm a prehistoric monster by being an individual. It's highly likely. All I offer to others is their own individuality. Grab it!" - 

John Lydon

You've probably all heard the words 'depression glass', and some of you might even have a pretty good idea of what it is. But, it is probably safe to assume that most people, in this day and age, actually don't have a clue what it is or perhaps what they believe they know about depression glass is only part of the actual history. Of course there are those of you who know WAY more about depression glass than I could ever hope to. Please don't hesitate to share your knowledge with us, wouldn't want to be stingy, would you?!?!


A New Beat...
I have embarked on a new voyage, a new pursuit, somewhat terrifying but thrilling too! This business of antique and vintage collectibles has opened a whole new world for me, an appreciation of things I wasn't even aware existed or knew existed but had no idea what they were or how fabulous they truly are.


A Brief History of Me (relating to glassware of course)...