Tuscan Kitchen Decorating

I took everything down from above my kitchen cabinets and decided to redecorate with a Tuscan look. By that I mean, what you might find in Tuscany, Italy.

This is how far I am with the decorating...

Looking at these photos makes me realize, I should probably paint that vent the color of my walls so it doesn't stand out as much (photos always tell so much).

I keep my kitchen counters pretty bare as I like to have the space clean and ready to cook and bake with. That means the space above my cabinets is my main area in the kitchen to decorate with.

Do you have space above your kitchen cabinets? If so what do you do with it? How often, if ever, do you change it?

F.R.O.G. "Fully Rely On God"

My mom has told me for years that a FROG should remind me to Fully Rely On God.

Ironically, a friend of mine brought me this frog cupcake to cheer me up after losing my dear friend. Little did she know how much it would mean to me. It was the perfect time for a reminder to fully rely on God.

She also brought me these azaleas to cheer me up. I am so blessed to have such a great friend! She knows how much I am anticipating spring and these azaleas are not only going to look wonderful in my yard, they are going to remind me for years to come of my friend who just passed away.

Stage IV Colon Caner- Schedule a colonoscopy today!

IF YOU ARE OVER THE AGE OF 50 OR HAVE ANY FAMILY HISTORY OR INCREASED RISKS OF CANCER SCHEDULE A COLONOSCOPY TODAY (TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE)!

 

This is a photo of my dear friend Lisa (on the left) in December. She was healthy, she was happy.

A month or so later (a few weeks into January) Lisa was hospitalized with pneumonia. On January 21st, 2011 the hospital gave Lisa horrible news, she was told she had stage IV colon cancer.  For those of you that don't know Stage IV (4) means that the cancer had already spread.

A few facts about my wonderful friend... 

Lisa survived cancer in her 20s. She is a strong woman!
Lisa is not yet 50.

Lisa is the most amazing single mother that ever existed (her sons are currently 12 and 13, this photo is outdated).

Lisa has a fascinating southern charm and a beautiful heart and therefore is loved by MANY (to say the least)!

Out of the past 4 weeks, Lisa has been in the hospital 3 weeks and is currently hospitalized.

Today is Saturday, February 5th. Since January 21st (the day Lisa was informed she has colon cancer) we have learned...

• The cancer has spread to her liver where she has at least 12 tumors, the longest 14cms in length.
• There are tumors on her lymph nodes. 
• She hasn't stopped running a temperature which could mean more than an infection, it could be bone marrow cancer as well.
• Tests on her kidneys show they have issues as well.
• Something has begun to obstruct Lisa's colon, possibly one of the tumors. She can't eat because there is no exit for her waste. A surgeon inserted a stint in her colon. A short lived success, the obstruction is still not allowing enough waste to come through. A new surgery is scheduled for Monday, February 7th to cut some of the colon out and fuse it back together.
• In the mean time Lisa has started to have difficulty breathing and her stomach is swelling because of the gases that can't exit (the gas build up is partly caused by the pain medication she is on). 
• Doctors started investigating into what is pressing on Lisa's diaphragm that is making it hard for Lisa to talk. More bad news a possible tumor is close to her lungs, and more fluid is found on the lungs.
• Lisa has also began showing signs of heart issues.

 Oh how I love my friend Lisa! I pray daily for a miracle!

IF YOU ARE OVER THE AGE OF 50 OR HAVE ANY FAMILY HISTORY OR INCREASED RISKS OF CANCER SCHEDULE A COLONOSCOPY TODAY (TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE)!

Update: Lisa went to heaven on February 9th.