sandi lou's musings too

2011-12-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

pictures for PINTEREST

2011-09-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

the above collage is from my entry room on the lower level

from my bookshelf

Ava in Mexico

Carter in Mexico

my "all white-ish-ness" guest room

my son and family

Peter and Hollie visiting in Iowa

my handsome son, Pete

Addie on our polka dot tire swin

Hope on our pd tire swing

my son and husband, Larry

silly Addie

sweet Hopie

pinup girl, Addie

Just a Little Heart Cleaning

2010-12-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

this is a devotional that is so applicable to my life, and i think it is probably to many others, as well, since forgiveness is something not easily attained...or given...

Just a Little Heart CleaningT. Suzanne Eller

"So iIf you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come offer your sacrifice to God."

Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

Devotion:Yesterday I swept the mahogany wood floors in my house. I worked with so much energy it might have looked like I was a clean freak or, at the very least, industrious. I am neither of those things. In fact, I really didn't even notice the dust bunnies flying through the air. I was hurt, trying to sweep away harsh words spoken the day before by a friend.

I had spent most of the morning mulling over the words from the day before, wondering why I didn't say something. Wondering why she did. I finally put on some music, took out the broom, and asked God for His grace because mine didn't seem to be big enough at the moment.

I've heard people throw out advice on forgiveness as if dispensing aspirin. They casually say things like, "Jesus forgave, why don't you?" The reality is it's often an uneven journey for us as we accept His grace, learn from, and strive to live out His example.

The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it's not something that we just stumble into. It takes a purposeful choice to move beyond the restrictive burdens of bitterness, anger, and other unresolved emotions tied to a person or event.

Forgiveness is a bridge I thought I had crossed already, and yet here I was again. I had forgiven an abusive, dysfunctional childhood. I understood the joy and freedom that come through forgiving others. So why was the small stuff with my friend tripping me up? Perhaps it is because I am still growing, a process that will never stop.

Jesus met a man who was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus on a mat. The need was obvious, but instead of healing his legs Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9:2, NLT) Isn't it interesting that He addressed the issue of the man's heart before attending to his physical body?

Jesus hasn't changed. He still sees to the heart. He sees my heart. I have forgiven - but I will continue to become a forgiver as I meet life's challenges. To do that, I have to give myself a little grace, and invite Him into the process.

Maybe you too are dealing with hurts of the past and forgiveness seems impossible. Forgiving doesn't mean that abuse can continue, or that what happened is okay. What it does mean is that you are ready to follow Jesus' example, and to live life free of entanglements to the past.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." As I talked, broom-in-hand, with my Savior, He settled in and made Himself at home in the situation. My perspective on the incident with my friend changed.

Yesterday my house got cleaned, and so did my heart.

Dear Lord, help me to forgive one person today. I lift up my heart. I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt, but I am willing to forgive. I'm not always big enough, but You are and I am grateful. I won't forgive based on a person's response, or even what is fair, but instead I will trust that You desire my heart to be free so that You can love in and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

get your party on!

2010-12-14T09:04:00.000-08:00

here is a link for you!...hey...i would love THIS party!!! (smile)....what i AM going to do is those adorable marshmallow snowmen! darling or what?????

http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/marshmallow-snowman-treats.html

vintage fun

2010-12-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

...because i am having an extreme feeling of guilt over the obvious absence of my blogging skills as of late..i decided to AT LEAST share some of my lovely vintage images with you!...why does vintage warm my heart so? i am not sure...but i sure do love it! enjoy!...and hey, don't stress yourself for this Christmas season..that is NOT what it is all about!......

DaySpring E-Cards

2010-12-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

DaySpring E-Cards

oh how i needed this today...want to share it with you

2010-12-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

hey peeps (all 2 of you)...sandi here...i know, i know...i have been so absent...big, i mean BIG things are going on in my life ..well, okay..they are for most of us, i know..sorry...i just can't muster the whatever it takes to get to my blog...but i HAD to post this from Proverbs 31 ministries...i had prayed for comfort and direction this morning..and yes, peace..and no, i don't have it, completely anyway...but this Scripture is my absolute favorite anyway..and i needed to be refreshed by it YET again...Rachel puts this into a perspective that is so unbelievably simple, yet so wise beyond words...and best of all ...it is TRUTH...Scriptural TRUTH...please read to the end and let this truth assist you today!

the picture above speaks peace to me...but an obvious storm brought those trees to their present state of beauty, calmness and serenity........kind of like my life..i am in a storm..i am not saying it is the worst storm i have been in, but it is, nevertheless, a storm...and the winds are howling..(i am OVER THINKING).....i seek serenity..and mostly HAPPINESS...what God wants for me and what i think happiness should be, most likely are 2 different things...what i want is my cake and i want to eat it too..God knows better...i continue to seek, pray...and most importantly...give thanks, praise and worship to my Saviour, my King, whom i adore and love.

December 1, 2010Don't Overthink ItRachel Olsen
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Devotion:I don't know what I'm supposed to do with my life - and I'm running out of time to figure it out. What if I never find it? Will I always be unhappy and unfulfilled? Will I never achieve my purpose? What will God do about that - will He call me a bad servant? But I can't help it. Why doesn't He answer my prayers for direction?

Maybe I'm just too sinful or something. I know I should read the Bible more. Is this limbo I'm in some kind of punishment for that? Am I really so much worse than everybody else? Maybe I just don't have any special gifts or talents. Or they just never got developed. Maybe that's it, and maybe now it's too late. So what do I do now? I don't know what I'm supposed to do ...

Does this resemble your thinking sometimes? Perhaps not about your calling, but about finding a spouse, or affording a house, or exercising regularly, or a conflict with your mother or boss. Do you tend to overthink things? To worry and ruminate? To endlessly, passively, excessively ponder the meanings, causes and potential consequences of your problems? Do you dwell on them?

Many of us believe that when we feel down about something we should try to evaluate our feelings and our situation from every angle to attain insight and find solutions to relieve our unhappiness. However, a host of research in the last 20 years has shown that dwelling on thoughts like this creates negative outcomes: it sustains or worsens sadness, fosters negative thinking, depletes motivation, saps energy, interferes with concentration, and typically impairs our problem-solving.

Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky writes: "Although people have a strong sense that they are gaining insight into themselves and their problems during their ruminations, this is rarely the case. What they do gain is a distorted, pessimistic perspective on their lives." She adds, "You need to free yourself from the clutch of your ruminations - in other words, immediately stop overthinking."

Based on what he wrote in Philippians 4:6-13, I think the apostle Paul would agree with the professor. Pause and scroll down to read the whole passage now in the "Power Verses" below and then come back.

As we see, in verse six, Paul gives three clear instructions for those of us who ruminate on our problems. He says:

1) do not worry about anything

2) pray about everything

3) thank God for everything

What if today we took this instruction to heart and put it into practice? What if today we decided not to worry about anything? What if when we found ourselves worrying, we stopped and handed the situation over to God in prayer? What if we then thanked Him for taking care of the issue?

In fact, what if we spent most of our mental free-time today thinking about what good care our awesome God takes of us?

What if we counted our blessings and God's acts of faithfulness today - and again tomorrow and next week too? What would happen then?

Paul says in verse seven, we will begin to experience amazing peace - a kind of peace we can't even imagine. Peace that makes no earthly sense! This kind of peace is so powerful that it has a protective function on our hearts and minds - which only makes it easier for us to stop worrying and be thankful.

That sounds like a state of happiness to me! So let's not over-think it today. Let's not under-pray it either. Let's actively choose to have a happy, thankful day. And then let's get up tomorrow and do it again.

Dear Lord, I'm turning over all my fears and problems to You to handle today. I can't fix a single thing by worrying about it - but You can fix anything because nothing is impossible for You! Thanks for being in charge of my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Have you gotten a copy of Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know?

Visit Rachel's blog today and leave a prayer request, or a statement of thankfulness. One commenter will be randomly selected to win a free copy of Rachel's new release It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know?

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity by supporting the many areas of ministry we provide at no cost - like this one! Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:

Open your Bible and highlight Philippians 4:6-7. Memorize those two verses.

Reflections:

Do I generally think about what is good, lovely, pure and right -or do I think about what is flawed, frustrating, unfair and wrong?

Day-to-day do I tend to over-think and under-pray? How often do I express gratefulness?

Power Verses:

Philippians 4:6-9, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." (NLT)

Proverbs 31 Ministries616-G Matthews-Mint Hill RoadMatthews, NC 28105www.Proverbs31.org

dear blog...i am sorry..i have missed you, have you missed me?

2010-11-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

i have missed you dearest blog..i have been quite MIA for some time now..sorry..in actuality..my husband has been "gone" for 2 months..yes, i have been ALONE for two long, lonely months..well, Simba, my very old, rickety doggie has been my constant companion..otherwise , it has been me, the dog and the thin air in this ol' townhouse ! but guess what? as we ~~speak~~ type...he is on his way home, and is "almost" here..about an hour away! woo hoo!
now, it isn't what you might think...we have not been seperated, we are not having marriage problems, or anything in between...he has been without a job for almost a year and a half..yeah, i know..NOT GOOD..it's been rough..but the Lord provides..and we haven't missed a meal or not paid a bill yet..so we go on, day by day.
but he did get an opportunity to go back to my hometown of Forest City Iowa and work for a farmer to help get the harvest in...and YES, that is where he has been...he loved the chance to operate farm machinery once again and get out in those fields and toil away! he put in over 80 hrs. per week! they had a record year there in Iowa, with the weather being almost perfect for harvest and they got it done , and now he is coming home!...
well, there is the "update" my blog, my friend, and to those who read it (very few, by now)........while he was gone...i just did not have the gumption to blog..not sure why..i did good ol' Facebook..and that was about it..well..i am reading a book...in a Bible study..and crafting and artsying away...but hey...i am here NOW, huh?
i have many ideas to blog about..but tonite i am going to start with the one i wanted to get out the most...
one of the projects i did whilst my DH was away..was to help Hannah with a chair. we were perusing my local Goodwill store (becoming my almost favorite stop by now..wish i had time to tell you why)...and Hannah laid eyes on this:

she has a "good eye" for sure...i was quite skeptical at first...but she persisted...and oh my! what a find!...it was clean as a whistle, heavy, sturdy...and had a down filled cushion...this clued us in to the fact it was probably "good" furniture in days gone by..it had wear..but it was "clean wear".....so we took it to my place and went right to work on it in my "back yard"...

actually, i did most of the "supervising" from an outdoor easy chair...Hannah did the work...it is well on it's way...it did take a drying time and another date in our back yard...then she took it home to finish it...and this is the outcome

above is the finished product! i am SO proud of Hannah for doing this...since this venture...we have seen other similar chairs and they sell for well over $500.00!!!....what a great deal! she paid $20.00 for this chair!!! amazing, huh? of course there was the cost of materials..but the paint was cheap, the batting was reasonable and she used cotton duck, which is sturdy, but thrifty!...i give her an A+!!!

guess what? since this..Heidi has bought a bench to be done, Hannah has gotten 2 wingbacks...and they are all waiting to be done...!!!!..and they were all purchased at GW!!...

well, that's it for now...i have more fun things to share with you...but this will have to be "it" for tonite!

Spiral Paper Rose Tutorial

2010-10-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.scrap-a-little.com/2009/09/flower-tutorial-summary.htmlhttp://www.scrap-a-little.com/2009/09/flower-tutorial-summary.html

i had a wonderful day at Archiver's on Wednesday this week with my bestest scrappie friend, Ruthann....and we met some wonderful OTHER scrappies ....we all shared our ideas and a great day was to be had! i had taken my paper flowers along..and they wanted some links..so i gave them my blog address..unfortunately..i am QUITE sure i gave them my OLD address..which should get them to this one IF they know their way around a computer..anyhoo...here are the links again...hope yall find me! :)

Writing on a chalkboard tutorial

2010-10-03T12:57:00.001-07:00

i soooooo wish i could present this to you as MY idea, but, alas, i can't!....so visit this beyond wonderful blog and take a little look/see...she has many other tut-ies you will love too! i PROMISE!!!

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/decorate/specifics-a-mini-tutorial/

and yes...here is yet another one..

2010-09-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2010

Words

Lysa TerKeurst

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in God's likeness." James 3:9 (NIV)

Devotion:

A few weeks ago two of my kids were having a growth opportunity. "Growth opportunity" is the new phrase us TerKeursts use for "fight." It's like when people say pink is the new black. Growth opportunity is the new fight.

Anyhow, back to the two kids who love each other but didn't like each other very much in the heat of the moment. I pulled out my proverbial soap box, got my hand positioned just right on my hip, and told these two young teens to look outside the window of our home. I told them that outside our home a world exists of people who may or may not be nice to us. There are no guarantees.
"But, inside this house," I continued as I turned them toward one another, "there are certain guarantees. Since the day I birthed you, I have preached one sermon about the words spoken in our home. It is a simple sermon. Before you part your lips to speak, you must ask yourself this question: Are my words kind, necessary, and true?"
"If the answer to all three parts of that question is yes...proceed ahead."
"If the answer to any part of that question is no...stop the words from coming out."
Does that mean there is no room to address hard issues with one another? No. But it will always be done with a spirit of kindness using only words that are necessary and true.
I then ushered these precious teens outside to a bench in my front yard and instructed them to figure out their issues between the two of them. But they were not going to bring words into our house unless they were kind, necessary, and true. Thank you very much. Have a nice time on this warm little bench on this warm little day.
Be sure when reading that last paragraph to do it with the mama attitude. I'll wait right here if you need to go back and re-read with attitude.
There are some verses in James I'm considering writing on the palm of my hand. Think of how handy it would be just to flash my palm up in the midst of my people's growth opportunities with this verse in bold ink: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My people, this should not be" (James 3 9-10).
That same chapter of James goes on to read, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (verse 16).
Have mercy. I do not want disorder and every evil practice to be invited into my home. And if envy and selfish ambition (which are where ugly words come from) are the key that opens the door for all that evil mess, then I will do everything with the power of Jesus in me to tame tongues.
And all my Jesus girlfriends said, Amen!

Dear Lord, help me to know how to teach my children how to be more like You. Help me to model You in my actions, my reactions, and in every word I say. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

i concur

2010-09-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Composed and Quieted

Van Walton

"O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me." Psalm 131:1 (NASB)

Devotion:

I watched the young mother deftly work in her kitchen, amazed at all she could accomplish with one hand. In her left arm she tenderly cradled her little one. With her right hand, elbow, shoulder and hip she opened drawers and shut doors; she pulled out cups, saucers, and spoons; she scooped coffee and poured water.

While Juan Valdez's aroma filled the air, she gathered pastries from her pantry and other refreshments from her refrigerator. When silence replaced conversation, she hummed a quiet melody into her baby's ear. Finally we sat down to enjoy our mid-day visit and I realized her tiny infant had slept through it all, mindless of the constant noise and swirling activity.

Oh, to rest in such peace while all around me chaos reigns. What secret lay hidden in that little heart?

The chapter which contains today's key verse offers the answer- such a short and simple Psalm, yet it says it all, "Surely

I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother..." (NASB).

I long for an escape from life's challenges. Sometimes the force and frequency with which my trials torment me threaten to undue me.

I've been tested and tried this year to the point that I thought, "If the barrage doesn't let up, I am a goner." I held up my hand in the stop position and screamed out to God, "No more! Have mercy. I'm undone! How am I supposed to juggle all this?"

In that instant God whispered, "Like a child rests against his mother, quiet your soul."

Then the Master Artist sketched for me the picture I described earlier. His reminder recalled a young mother tenderly and safely holding her baby, while all around, life's responsibilities increasingly swelled.

Sweet friend, do you feel like you are losing your footing? Are you struggling to conquer the chaos? If you are like me you are on the brink, throwing up your hands and screaming, "I give up!"

That's good! Give up.

Yes, that is what I said.

Give up and like a child in her mother's arms, trust and rest.

Some matters are too complicated for us to figure out. Let God open and close the doors. Believe that He will prepare and provide. He created you, His precious child. He is protecting you in the crook of His strong right arm.

Father God, Your Word assures me that You are a strong shelter. You don't give me more than I can endure. Out of obedience I believe You and rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen

something appropriate for me, how about you?

2010-09-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

I'm Not Good as New

Glynnis Whitwer

"He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them."

John 12:40 (NIV)

Devotion:

Years ago, I decided to save money and learn how to cut men's hair. With four males in my home, I figured electric clippers were a good investment. They were. After a few "oops" and "uh-ohs," I got the hang of it and have been cutting their hair ever since.

Recently, after finishing a trim, I dropped the clippers on the floor, knocking the blades from the holder. A quick examination revealed a very small piece of plastic had been chipped away. But the blades seemed to fit on fine, so I cleaned up the mess, brushed the clippers, and stored them in their box. Good as new, I thought.

Time for the next haircut arrived, and I retrieved the clippers from their box. I put the cape around my son's shoulders, snapped on the correct guide and proceeded to turn on the clippers. However, instead of hearing the normal electric purr, we heard a metallic grating. Apparently, that broken piece of plastic was actually important. Without it, the clippers didn't work right.

As I considered that incident, I realized many of us are like those clippers. At one time we have fallen emotionally. We've been hurt, betrayed, left out, overlooked. We carry scars from past relationships, jobs and bad choices. Most of us have been trained to pick ourselves back up and move on. We've been conditioned to put on a smile and pretend we aren't broken. The problem is most things that are broken don't fix themselves, and they don't work right until they are.

In the month between haircuts, that piece of plastic never jumped back on the clippers. Likewise, a leaking faucet doesn't just stop leaking one day. Buttons don't sew themselves back on. In every instance where something is broken, I've had to attend to it with care.

Sadly, I see many people walking around broken, pretending they are okay. Instead of acknowledging hurt and seeking healing from the One who can give it, they ignore it. Instead of seeking professional help when needed, they bury the pain, and hope it's deep enough to not bother them again. But the pain never really heals. It always pops up. And it affects current relationships and commitments when it does.

The truth is, none of us is as good as new. We are ALL broken in some way. We all have hurts we've buried and tried to move past. But that brokenness doesn't completely heal by itself. Thankfully, there is good news if you feel broken.

We serve a God who loves healing and wholeness. He knows it's painful to deal with past hurts. But He's willing to help. While we will never be "good as new" until heaven, we can be emotionally healed here on earth. Maybe we need to pick up our broken pieces, carry them in tender hands and present them to Jesus.

It may not be easy, and it will probably take time. But emotional healing is possible. After all, the One who conquered death, can certainly mend our brokenness.

Dear Lord, only You really know the depths of my pain and desperation. I've tried to hide it, even from You at times, but I won't any longer. Today I openly admit my pain and hurt, and ask You to heal me. Please give me wisdom to know other steps I need to take. Thank You for what You are going to do in me and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

God's Chisel - posted by The Skit Guys (skitguys) - tangle.com.flv

2010-09-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

the day we visited with the goats..oh!...and a baby deer!

2010-08-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

last Saturday we went to a GOAT FARM in the mountains near Jasper, Ga.....yeah, we are classy like that! actually, Larry and i used to raise a few goats...we raised them for the milk, since both Heidi and Peter had milk allergies as babies and children
...goats are sweet, gentle animals...mostly anyway...we have fond memories of our goats...i even "HAND" delivered a baby goat and saved it's life...and possibly the mother's life...seriously i did...i delivered it VET style..with my hand..up the mother goat's...(you know what)....i PULLED the baby goat out...i think i have told this story somewhere..either blog or Facebook...

ANYHOO

we had discovered this goat farm and went to their website..(i will edit and put it in here as soon as i can find it)...it looked wonderful and we really wanted to take the g-kiddos....

it was a great day..the farm was spectacular...it had a beautiful lake...
the HIGHLIGHT for me was the added bonus of a baby deer who had been "dropped" off on the farm after finding the mother deer dead on the road...this darling little baby deer was right at home with the goats...and she was SO SO darling!...i truly wanted to take her home!...oh my goodness!...the owner of the farm said the deer is free to roam and will probably jump the fences and go back to the wild when it is ready...i want to see if that happens...it was so tame and endearing...the kids were kissing it...no kidding...it came up to me and tilted it's head for some attention...i didn't KISS it...but i sure did HUG it....i loved the experience!

well...here are some pics that capture the day...just for your information...we were nasty dirty when we left!....(and we probably had a few smells circling us too -wink*)

we were jumping

we were swinging

it was a great day!

a LITTLE RED WAGON idea!

2010-08-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

Just Something I Made: Funky Junk Friday Fix-Up: Red Wagon Tray

gettin the kids up on the wall again

2010-08-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

so...i know for sure i would get a prize for procrastination...ugh..i hate it...it plagues me...it haunts me...it is disgusting..and STILL..i do it...

BUT!!!

ALAS!!!

i finally got one little thing done that has been on the P list...i got those photos up from Christmas 2009...i mean, really..i thought i better hurry...especially since the kids have already changed from that over a year ago photo!...(d'ya think?)...i ask myself....

so , here they are..AGAIN...center-stage in my little living room watching over their Nana/NeeNee/PapPap...and we, adoringly looking at their little darling faces!!!

update on the summer greenery

2010-08-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

do you remember quite a few posts ago when i showed you my new spring plantings???...i fully expected to update you on the beyond luscious and wild growings of those spring plants...and in case you haven't guessed it already..there is NOTHING to show you...this has been the worst summer for the front of our townhouse..how bad, you ask?...so bad..i will not even waste the time taking a picture...seriously...what a disappointment...it all started when a stinkin rabbit started munching on each and every flower out there...and it all went downhill after that..so...i am ready to rip it all out and throw down some new mulch and call it a rap...i "might" put out winter pansies...but as of today...i feel quite DONE with the whole thing..

NOW...i do have a few nice growings on the back patio...i have showcased them here for you...

what's that you ask?....well..this little ivy is in a plastic gallon container that i borrowed from my neighbor last year...before i returned it, of course i thought i should wash it..so OF COURSE i put it in my dishwasher...who wouldn't???....when i went to put the dishes away...her poor little ~~cheap~~ container had melted down into a little squished mess...thankfully she didn't mind..and one day she brought it back to me with this little ivy planted in it...and that sweet plant has been thriving ever since!

...and yes...this is Easter Grass!...well, at least it is what i call it..cuz for the life of me i cannot remember the actual name of the plant...i bought it around Easter time this year...it had tall, single stemmed clover -like blooms...i absolutely loved it!...at one point i thought i for sure had killed it..i tried transplanting it and it wilted all over the place and i did not expect it to make it...but after a couple weeks it started behaving itself!....so i transplanted it again into this hanging pot...and it has thrived this summer! it has even had a half dozen blooms!...not sure what to do with it when the temps drop...hey!...anyone know what it is? i like it cuz it reminds me of "real" grass...like IOWA grass...instead of the grass here in GA...which is curly and gross...so i guess you might say...i have a pot of REAL grass...

and there you have it...the extent of my green thumb...unfortunately my GREEN thumb is getting very faded...i used to be able to keep up with the best of them...not so much now...

...guess i will blame this horrid red clay dirt here in GA...k?

A Tomato Tip

2010-08-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

A Tomato Tip

clozepinnies

2010-08-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

i needed a quicky little gifty today...and packaged up another little bag of clozepinnies..i adorned the header with one of my newfound favey thing to do...homemade paper flowers..and VOILA!...taaaa daaaaa....i wrote a little personal note on the back of this double sided paper so it is beeeee uuuuu teeeeeeee fulllll on both sides...stapled the header into place...and gifty...DUN....of course...i had the clozepinnies done beforehand...(that always helps in the speed process..duh)....they can be used for bag clips or for anything involving CLIPPING...(another duh).......also...magnets can be glued on the back and they can be used on the fridge or any magnetic surface to hold "stuff"...(DUH)......anyway...that's it for today

i mean...taaaa...duh!

W.O.W. lookie at this ORGANIZED, VINTAGE studio!

2010-08-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

hey peeps!...you gotta check this out....oh my word!...i am so "in heart" with this room..on SO many levels!!!

(sigh)

check out her organization...

ya know..

some of us "got it" and well,.....

some of us "don't"...

unfortunately i am in the latter category...

(another sigh)

http://karenrussell.typepad.com/my_lifejust_not_on_the_ro/2009/08/the-scrapbook-roomoffice.html

i la la la LOVE this!

2010-08-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50302982/tucked-in

i "stumbled" upon this great Etsy seller...and when i say stumbled...that is really what i do, most of the time...i do have several favorites that i have inserted into my "daily check" folder...they are just "too" good to pass up...even tho i really don't have time to daily check every one of them, since i seem to be expanding that particular folder all the time....i have a tendency to do that...and almost always everyone seems to be "my fave"......and then i have to clean it all out, eventually...but mostly my folders on my computer look rather like my studio...chaotic, full, unorganized and out of control...yeah...that's pretty much how i feel most of the time too...i am organizedly challenged and if there was a medication for such a thing i surely would be first in line for it!

anyway...i found out this gal lives in IOWA...yahoo....and her stuff is A-dorable to the M.A. X.....love her style all the way...and of course you KNOW i love anything vintage...i am quite shocked to see how vintage has hit the BIG TIME...wow...it is everywere now...i actually am really loving that!!! i also LOVE it that "re-purposing" is really the "in" thing too...i think it is a marvelous and wonderful idea...which has been around for a long time, trust me...i have been doing it for a long long time...not becuz it's cool, but becuz it saves money...(it has always been "cool" to me)..........but i am really glad it is getting a good "rap" for now!!!!........i am just waiting for my dream "farmhouse" to come along to really let my imagination go!....hmmm....oh...and also my little piece of farmland to come along so i can build that chicken house i have previously talked about...and have a garden...and have a pig or two...and maybe a cow...and maybe...????????

ok...dream's over for today...who would have ever thought i would be dreaming of returning to a farm?

....certainly not me!

this could make me a Goodwill shopper!

2010-08-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

hey!....i "stumbled" upon this WONDERFUL blog...and right out of the box saw this great project...NOW...if you saw this kitchen cart for SEVEN DOLLARS at your Goodwill store...would YOU buy it????.....ummmmmmmmmm....hellllllooooooo?????.....i wouldn't think TWICE!!!...even if i had only seven dollars to my name!...(well...i "might" think twice...THEN DO IT)...........what an adorable solution!!!...this is the truth...i have always wanted a kitchen, rolling cart...and i am NOT kidding....i have never, ever seen one this cute for so little money...ok...i am on the prowl now!

http://thepleasuresofhomemaking.blogspot.com/2010/08/kitchen-cart-makeover.html

from this:

to this!!!!..

FABULOUS, huh????......what is YOUR best bargain??....hey...that is a good idea for one of my next blogs!!!...i have some GREAT best bargains i could share too!!!

Orangutan and the Hound

2010-08-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

you have to watch this heart warming video!....

Orangutan and the Hound

my dream of chickens and chicken houses

2010-08-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.heatherbullard.typepad.com/heather_bullard_collectio/2010/03/our-chicken-coop.html/3/our-chicken-coop.html/

that's right...i sometimes dream of having chickens...wouldn't it be delightful to have fresh eggs right in your back yard????....i mean..not a TON of chickens...just a few...you know...CUTE chickens...and if i had cute chickens...i would like to have a CUTE chicken house...and oh my word alive...this is the stinkinest, cutest ,chicken house i have EVER seen!....you must visit this blog and drool over her beyond fabulous photography, not to mention her darling little french chickens...(i think they're french, anyway)...now she knows how to build a fabulous chicken house!!!....

if hubs and i ever get to fulfill our dream of getting a little peice of land in the country...i promise you he will be building me this chicken house...!!!! (wink*)

the holy sigh

2010-08-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

the following devotion by Max Lucado resonates deeply with me today..i just had to share it...i have recently had something happen to me that has shook the very foundation of my soul...i have had to face a reality that hurts more than i can put into words..i have cried bitter and distraught tears ...and now i am just SIGHING...a LOT...and sighing some more...trying to face this thing like a "BIG GIRL"...trying to accept it....trying to be Godly through it....but it's not easy...and it hurts me more and i sigh some more...and sometimes i still cry some more too....

When God Sighed

by Max Lucado

Two days ago I read a word in the Bible that has since taken up residence in my heart.

To be honest, I didn't quite know what to do with it. It's only one word, and not a very big one at that. When I ran across the word, (which, by the way, is exactly what happened; I was running through the passage and this word came out of nowhere and bounced me like a speed bump) I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't have any hook to hang it on or category to file it under.

It was an enigmatic word in an enigmatic passage. But now, forty-eight hours later, I have found a place for it, a place all its own. My, what a word it is. Don't read it unless you don't mind changing your mind, because this little word might move your spiritual furniture around a bit.

Look at the passage with me.

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought a man to him who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him,"Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. (Mark 7:31-35)

Quite a passage, isn't it?

Jesus is presented with a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. Perhaps he stammered. Maybe he spoke with a lisp. Perhaps, because of his deafness, he never learned to articulate words properly.

Jesus, refusing to exploit the situation, took the man aside. He looked him in the face. Knowing it would be useless to talk, he explained what he was about to do through gestures. He spat and touched the man's tongue, telling him that whatever restricted his speech was about to be removed. He touched his ears. They, for the first time, were about to hear.

But before the man said a word or heard a sound, Jesus did something I never would have anticipated.

He sighed.

I might have expected a clap or a song or a prayer. Even a "Hallelujah!" or a brief lesson might have been appropriate. But the Son of God did none of these. Instead, he paused, looked into heaven, and sighed. From the depths of his being came a rush of emotion that said more than words.

Sigh. The word seemed out of place.

I'd never thought of God as one who sighs. I'd thought of God as one who commands. I'd thought of God as one who weeps. I'd thought of God as one who called forth the dead with a command or created the universe with a word ... but a God who sighs?

Perhaps this phrase caught my eye because I do my share of sighing.

I sighed yesterday when I visited a lady whose invalid husband had deteriorated so much he didn't recognize me. He thought I was trying to sell him something.

I sighed when the dirty-faced, scantily dressed, six-year-old girl in the grocery store asked me for some change.

And I sighed today listening to a husband tell how his wife won't forgive him.

No doubt you've done your share of sighing.

If you have teenagers, you've probably sighed. If you've tried to resist temptation, you've probably sighed. If you've had your motives questioned or your best acts of love rejected, you have been forced to take a deep breath and let escape a painful sigh.

I realize there exists a sigh of relief, a sigh of expectancy, and even a sigh of joy. But that isn't the sigh described in Mark 7. The sigh described is a hybrid of frustration and sadness. It lies somewhere between a fit of anger and a burst of tears.

The apostle Paul spoke of this sighing. Twice he said that Christians will sigh as long as we are on earth and long for heaven. The creation sighs as if she were giving birth. Even the Spirit sighs as he interprets our prayers. (Romans 8:22-27)

All these sighs come from the same anxiety; a recognition of pain that was never intended, or of hope deferred.

Man was not created to be separated from his creator; hence he sighs, longing for home. The creation was never intended to be inhabited by evil; hence she sighs, yearning for the Garden. And conversations with God were never intended to depend on a translator; hence the Spirit groans on our behalf, looking to a day when humans will see God face to face.

And when Jesus looked into the eyes of Satan's victim, the only appropriate thing to do was sigh. "It was never intended to be this way," the sigh said. "Your ears weren't made to be deaf, your tongue wasn't made to stumble." The imbalance of it all caused the Master to languish.

So, I found a place for the word. You might think it strange, but I placed it beside the word comfort, for in an indirect way, God's pain is our comfort.

And in the agony of Jesus lies our hope. Had he not sighed, had he not felt the burden for what was not intended, we would be in a pitiful condition. Had he simply chalked it all up to the inevitable or washed his hands of the whole stinking mess, what hope would we have?

But he didn't. That holy sigh assures us that God still groans for his people. He groans for the day when all sighs will cease, when what was intended to be will be.

From God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ

oh be still, my heart

2010-08-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

oh my goodness....i stumbled upon this posting from urban farmgirl...(a FAVE for sure)....and my heart wants to jump..well..it is jumping...i am sooooo homesick for a good flea market...i have not been to one for so long...and if i had been to this one...and if i had seen this ALL WHITE booth...well...i probably would have had to breathe into a brown paper bag...just looking at it on my computer almost neccesitates it anyway!...i am so glad i can live in a computer world of "pretend"...aren't i pathetic????????????

urban farmgirl: a little peek...

dreamin' of Fall....(yall)...just couldn't resist

2010-08-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

this is a picture of Susan Branch's stovetop...SO cute!...i heart her stove!!!!!!!!

i am dreaming of FALL...you heard me...FALL...and i have to tell ya...it is wonderful, here in North Georgia...i am sick of the heat, ready for cool nights, sweaters, and candles...and soup...i am good for about 2 months or less of summer...and that's about it...and to tell you the truth...please don't judge me...i could do without summer altogether!...i would be JUST fine with 3 seasons...Spring, Fall, Winter....Spring, Fall, Winter....that's what i'm talkin' about!.......
Susan Branch dreams of FALL too..enjoy her fabulous blog..and dream with her!

http://www.susanbranch.com/

Piece Of Our Heart

2010-08-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Piece Of Our Heart

This is a picture of our baby daughter, Hannah and her husband, Josh. They have started the journey of adoption...please follow her blog and their journey. We are so very proud of them and cannot wait to love those baby Bickfords, wherever they may be!

school starts for the grands

2010-08-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

here are my 4 sweet darlins on their first day of school this week...can you believe it?....it is so stinkin HOT here in the big ATL.....ugh...but they sure do register on the CUTE thermometer, huh????

another fabulous blog !

2010-08-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

How much do you LOVE this room?...check it out on this blog!

http://pure-and-lovely.com/sneak-peek-current-projects/2010/6/21/the-veranda.html

Cottage Hill: Making An Entry Where There Isn't One...

2010-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

....you have to check this gal out...she created a very inventive "entry"...all i can say is WOW

Cottage Hill: Making An Entry Where There Isn't One...

Carter's bday card

2010-08-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

so...Carter had his bday...and we just did our traditional "date"...which consists of dinner out (kid's choice)...he chose Provino's...a "rather" fine Italian restaurant...we tell him he is our "classy" kid...the rest of them are McDonald's/Chick Fila kind of kiddos...but it was yummy, for sure...then onto the quest of his gift!...after a few different stops he settled on the idea of a digital camera in..yes...blue...his choice...again...we TRY very hard to give em what they want!..within the budget constrictions, of course...(poo)...

here was his homemade card....it is easy to come up with something for the girls...but now that he is getting older..i am stretching my imagination to not be "babyish" or "girlish"...

i downloaded an image from my computer...and cut it out for the pattern....i then used it to cut 3 layers of cardboard and cardstock...gluing all the peices together...i also made extra peices for the tail, legs, arms and face...(i made the face a slightly different color)

here's the side view so you can see how it is standing up...you can see the little tab between the dinasaur and the flap which keeps it from spreading completely open and falling down....

so...remember...you can take any image and turn it into a card....

ENJOY

Little Emma English Home

2010-08-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

what picture do you evoke in your mind when you hear or read ENGLISH COUNTRSIDE?

isn't it just fun to think about it...dream???? wonder???? go there????

well...if you are like me...you probably won't have a chance to find out in person...but why not PRETEND???

i found this absolutely delightful blog with pictures galore for you to "dream" thru....ENJOY!!!

Little Emma English Home

life just happens

2010-07-31T11:21:00.000-07:00

hey bloggies...those of you who are left...i know..i have fallen on the job ...not literally..figuratively...i am going thru another one of those.."life happens" time in my/our lives...these kind of days drain me of all energy, creativity and passion...i pray they will leave soon...hey..a good job for Larry would help! ha!

God knows...and HE is the one and only Solid Rock we have, for sure!!

but because i am feeling "guilty".........i am going to give you some of my paper dolls for you to do what you want with...have fun...you ~~for sure~~ might get addicted! Have a wunnerful weekend!

Living Water PH Test Training by Karina Harris

2010-07-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

Please watch this excellent video demonstrating our living water machine...are YOU drinking healthy?...this will make you WANT to!..if you want to learn more about it...please click here, on our personal
website
http://www.ecobusiness.com/clsystems/overview-water-info

try this...why dontcha????

2010-07-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

hey!...here is a tutorial for you!...Amanda has a FAB site and she is just a little cutie pie with all kinds of things up her proverbial sleeve!!!...i just think this is such a great idea...too bad i don't wear chandies!!

she also has about a JILLION free fonts you can download into your font folder and they are so so adorable...you HAVE to check her entire blog out...but beware...she will keep you busy for hours upon hours upon hours....enjoy!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/our-home/tutorial-shabby-chic-dangly-earring-display.html

craft therapy

2010-07-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

today i am going to post pics of recent and some not so recent gifts and crafts i have made...i always think about doing a how to tutorial...but never get around to taking pics step by step...that is another..some day....some day....

this is actually a little project i finished today...i started it last week from a similar idea i saw on Etsy..i just fell in heart with it.....and have always been drawn to clothespins!...i think those of you who have kept up with me..already KNOW this little obsession of mine...i love the old fashion plain ones too!...i have two containers full of those from Larry's mother...they are precious to me..i enjoy just displaying them in clear containers...but i would like to do some fun stuff with them too...

i have packaged these litle clothespinnies in a clear , flat package...with a header...actually this is a little baby gift for a sweet new baby girl...what are they for? i don't know!...anything!...i am thinking baby socks..pictures..whatever your imagination tells you..got any ideas? if small magnets were added on the back with glue...they would be great note holders on a magnetic surface or magnet board...which would be cute in a baby room too!...

i painted the clothespins...(that gets a bit tricky, truthfully...but i did find that putting a small skewer in between the clip part...helps keep the painting simpler...after the paint dries i then covered only the top with modpodge...and sprinkled coarse glitter on top...let dry...

then i glued these darling little paper roses on the top...i purchased these...but they can be made...like the little gift tag...i made that one and glittered that too....i have seen many other ideas using clothespins..and am anxious to try more...

here is a birthday card i made for my bff, Diana when we traveled to Iowa in April...the flower on the front is a fabric flower...sooo sooo much fun to do!...lots of glitter and gems...in other words...Bling!...

here is the birthday card i did for Hope....it is a vintage image paper doll that i have collected , and i manipulate it on the computer to the size i want (in an artist program)...and print it off...i then back it with two to three layers of cardstock, with the back piece being something that coordinates with the color combo..i use a scrapbook glue to adhere these pieces...in this instance i made her clothes out of patterned scrapbook paper...and embellished with trim...she is holding our traditional coupon we give the kids...the second picture is the back..you see i have made a stand also..so she can stand on a table top..

and here are some herb pots i made for some birthday presents...i took a rose pot, purchased at Michael's..and painted with patio paint for endurance...(and the saucer)......i then took blackboard paint and painted a strip to title the seeds in the pot...i also took potting soil and packaged in a strong plastic bag..tying it with a bow..then i tucked the seed packets into the side...SIMPLE and INEXPENSIVE!

last, but not least..i have posted one of my first mixed media paintings...the little character is Dotty Jean...after my mom...she is my favorite character of all...i will show you another one some other day!!!...mixed media is a blast...i just wonder why i don't do it more??????????????....it is becuz i am divided into too many ways...i want to do a little of everything...and sometimes i don't get anything done...sound familiar???

well...happy crafting peeps...

my seven year old MOM!

2010-07-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

here is a picture of my Mom when she was 7 yrs old!...it was taken in 1937!!!...isn't it so sweet? i doctored it up a bit on Picnik...her maiden name was Dorothy Jean Krieger...i call her Dotty Jean...(she was called Dot in highschool by her bff's! :)........how adorable and vintage is THAT??????????

Happy Birthday dear U.S. of A !

2010-07-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth!...feel free to copy and paste these vintage images!

Holy Cow

2010-06-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

okay...so today my goal was to get into my nearly not able to get into studio....and start organizing it....for the one hundred millionth time...and if you think i am exaggerating......you are WRONG....it was truly impassable...and if you know me..i am organizedly challenged...so, as i said...for the one hundred millionth ...and a HALF times...i started in there...NOW, you must know...as a christian and lover of Jesus...i cannot take on huge challenges without God's help...soooooooooooo....for the one hundred and millionth and a half time...i started by asking the Lord to give me direction..where to start...endurance..patience and DIRECTION...and as always before (you know how many times).....HE directs me to start with ONE AREA...ONE SMALL TASK...and ONE STEP at a time....so i DID!.................WELL...i found a few things that have virtually been stored and untouched for well over 6-8 years...(sad, i know).......one of them was my box of dolls that i made so many moons ago...i had a wonderful doll business...(i will have to show you my PRESS coverage another day :) ).......that business basically kept my kids in Christian school...and also basically KILLED me...tho i loved it and loved the little characters that were born out of it............soooooooooooooo....i decided to pull out a few of my faves and give them a photo shoot for you.............here they are...my babies...born in my mind...drawn on paper...put into patterns...and sewed up...and hand painted by...well, you know...by yours truly....

...and then...i found THESE!!....now don't be alarmed...the picture looks almost...well...nazi-ish...but here is a pile of unfinished babies...their faces got painted and they have been naked and undone (huh....i must say...i kind of have that in common with them..that is how I FEEL...naked and undone..) for many years!...BUT...i have great plans for this little pile...and it will include YOU...cuz i am going to offer them up for sale...just not sure WHEN that is gonna get done...and yes..i know...hey...i hear you...i know what you are thinking...yeah...they'll get done when...**** freezes...well, my friend...i hope to prove you wrong...i am just getting fired up!

and the OTHER pile of stuff i found that i have NO IDEA WHY or WHEN i bought them is this:

good grief Charlie Brown...they are plastic water holder thingies...i have a TON of them...what to do...oh what to do with them........i just KNOW something wonderful could be done...and i smell a contest coming on....so hold on peeps...HOLD ON!!...and when there is a contest...there is a PRIZE...and the prize just might include one of those little naked dolls!!!....

new characters have been born!

2010-06-28T17:45:00.000-07:00

i have been in "rest" mode for the last 3 weeks...as some of you know..and some of you don't...i fell at work 3 weeks ago......the short story is...(aren't you sooo glad i decided to use the short version?)............i was taking out trash...dragging my trash from the class room..stopped at the floral counter and picked up her trash, which was very full..and dumped them into the dumpster...as i entered back into the store..i saw a TRAIL of coke all thru the store...so i grabbed a mop to get rid of this potential hazard...thinking i SURE don't want someone to slip and fall....and i kid you not...before 5 steps were taken with me and the mop...yours truly did a colossal slip and landed on the floor , having done the splits basically...oh golly neds.......it hurt so bad....ok...fast forwarding...i have a BAD torn hamstring!...i have been mostly IN BED, IN PAIN, DRUG INFLUENCED, BORED STIFF,....well ya get the picture???? today i went to WALLY WORLD all by myself...my second time out in 3 weeks..except for Dr. visits...i thought it would be a breeze...but since we have to use our right leg and foot to operate a car..and since that was my owie leg...i actually struggled...thinking..oh my gosh..it actually hurts to drive!...but i made it!

well...i have done a couple major things while laying low...i DELETED ....ALL ....of my games on Facebook!...and let me tell you...that gave me a wondrous feeling!...i felt a little power surge from doing that...those stupid games were starting to "run" me.....i hated the dazed state of mind they put me in...and yet i was drawn to go on and on.........and finally i got sick of it!!! i found out how to get rid of them and i DID!!!...i have to tell ya...i had some pretty "sweet" farms...i had checkerboard farms on Farmtown and Farmville...they were fun to create..but in the end...what gets accomplished from that????....i have freed up many hours of wasted time...no offense to those who are playing the games...they really are fun...and there is nothing wrong with them.....(at least the ones i was playing)......but i just did not like what they DID to me!...they held too much "power" over me......anyone out there know what i'm talking about???

the second thing i have accomplished is to create some art which i hope i can soon use in some mixed media paintings....somehow i was able to set up a little work area in my bedroom while sitting in my wingback...with my leg elevated...these are the 3 little characters i have created....they will be fun to incorporate into a mixed media art application...in fact..i think my FIRST GIVEAWAY will probably include one of these...which one do YOU think i should give away??????????

all things PINK

2010-06-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

i am SO all about PINK and she delivers!!...i heart this blog and am quite frankly jealous!! ;-)..if you are on a laptop..reduce your screen to 75%...cuz you won't get the whole effect if you don't! ENJOY...for girls only..for obvious PINK reasons!

this blog has to be one of the most visually stimulating blog i have EVER stumbled upon!...oh my....it just delights my very inner core!!!.....check it out!...this is what they mean about EYE CANDY! and i am ALL about EYE CANDY....you know...like fabric...and paper....i could seriously blow 10,000 dollars on fabric or paper...in a matter of a few minutes...so when i come upon a blog like this...you know my "inner core" is tickled!!! ENJOY

Daisy Pink Cupcake

daisypinkcupcake.blogspot.com

Color Analysis - free online analysis

2010-06-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

hey...bloggy buds!...try this! a free online color analysis!...remember those long ago days when we did this????...it seems like anything goes these days...but this sure brought back memories...i was diagnosed as WARM...which is correct...but THIS time it said autumn colors...before i was told spring colors...so a bit confused...but it is fun nevertheless..and truthfully...no matter what they tell me...BLACK is my color of choice...no matter what anyone tells me!!!....these are the days i pretty much just want to be "background, wallflower material".......know what i mean, jellybean????........PLUS........this particular author promotes MODESTY....huh....WHO talks about THAT anymore??????????....how many of YOU think a "COMEBACK" is way overdo in that department??????????????

Color Analysis - free online analysis

did you know you could make curtains out of drop cloths?????????

2010-06-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

http://asoftplace.net/2010/06/diy-drop-cloth-curtains-with-a-twist/

well..it's true!...here is a picture...you can find out how on the above blog!

i think that is a fantastic idea!...don't you??????...i have an entire wall in our bedroom with floor to ceiling windows...they do have lovely white wooden blinds ...but they really need MORE than that.......but the expense would be immense...i just think this would be the ticket!!!...altho...there still is the problem of the curtain rods...well..i will continue to look for the ~~cheap~~ trick to accomplish that!......but i bet most of you have the curtain rods up...how fun would this be to change in to????????....i LOVE the classy touch of trim!!!!....

let me know if you try it!....i bet you'll like it!!!...

i think it is soo sooo fun finding stuff in home improvement stores that can be used as decor or as crafts!!!.....any other ideas out there????????

now i've seen it all

2010-06-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.dirtcouture.com/installation-video

i have found that elusive gift you all have been looking for...you know...the gift for that person in your life who has absolutely everything...who buys everything he/she wants...who has a spouse who gives gifts unceasingly...you know...THAT person...we all know them , right???....well, i bet they don't have a slipcover for their garden hose!!!....NOW they can...and YOU can give it to them!!....it isn't even expensive!!!

....you are welcome...that's what i'm here for...the greater good of all mankind...

oh! you must visit this blog!!!...if you HURRY...you can sign up for a giveaway!!!

2010-06-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.thenester.com/2010/06/ever-grateful-for-details-a-giveaway.html/comment-page-2#comment-51257

i opened my email this morning and i had an email from Dayspring...now, i must admit..i usually hit DELETE...and think to myself, why in the world did i sign up for their mail...one of these days i must UN-SUBMIT myself...(i seem to do that fairly often on a whim, you know...habit...)...BUT today...something grabbed my attention in the title...so...doesn't that tell you how important titles are???....and i started reading about their new line of dinnerware with Biblical encouragements inconspicuously (sp?) and beautifully written on them...like.."grateful for simple blessings".....(Eph. 5:4..Let there be thankfulness to God...)............but the coolest thing was they linked me to THE NESTER.COM..........a blog that is waaaaayyyyy cool and written with great whit and charm....she is having a giveaway on her blog for this dinnerware....oh yeah...you KNOW i signed up BABY!....i made a HUGE mistake, however...i was so excited i hit the submit button without leaving my name and blog name...therefore i am entered as anonymous....now some people WANT to be anonymous...and sometimes i do too.....but i really didn't want to be this time..........oh well....hopefully i win and she has a way to get back to me!......(there i go with my complete and utter lack of understanding how the computer world REALLY works)...i am pretty sure she can find me...don't you think?

well...i am quite sure i have been to this blog before and i am quite sure i have been duly impressed...as i was again today!!!....you MUST visit the link above ...if you get there before tomorrow..you can enter the contest...if not...well..you will have to go buy the dinnerware...BUT...you will not be disappointed in her blog and her story!!!!!!!...she is MY kind of gal!!!...

well...happy trails...and so long for now....

you can print on fabric!!!

2010-06-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

GUYS!!!...i just found another little treasure!!! check it out on the blog below!!!!...or read the directions below that...oh, i cannot WAIT to try this out!!...my mind is spinning!! oh the possibilities!!!

please let me know if you try this and how it works...that is..IF you get to it before i do!

http://hazelruthes.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-to-print-on-fabric.html

How To Print On Fabric

You will need, some muslin or other light colored fabric, freezer paper, scissors and your printer. Please note this for inkjet printers only. Laser printers can melt the freezer paper and then you'll have a big mess and need to buy a new printer---you'll want a new inkjet of course. ;)

First off choose the image that you want to print and make sure to size it if needed thru whatever photo editor you use. You may not even need to do this step, depending on what it is you want.

Next decide if you want your muslin tea dyed or not--if so now is the time to do it, because if you wait till afterwards your image will run.

Using either scissors and a ruler or my favorite a rotary cutter and ruler. Lay your freezer paper out and cut it to 8 1/2 X 11 inches.

Next do the same thing with your fabric. Tip--you may want to pink the edges of your fabric to keep fraying at a minimum. I usually leave mine all straight edges, but either way works great.

Now that we have both the freezer paper and the fabric cut to the same size as a sheet of paper lay your freezer paper over the fabric with the shiny side facing down--facing the fabric.Now we're ready to iron our freezer paper to our fabric using a hot iron and no steam. A few swipes across it all and it should be adhered together.

This is what it will most likely look like--a bit curly, but that's ok. Make sure to trim off any stray threads at this point. We don't want them getting stuck in the printer.

Place your fabric/freezer paper sheet into the printer making sure that you know your printer and which side needs to go face down. On mine the fabric goes face down--which I think if fairly standard. If you're not sure take a piece of printer paper and mark a big X on one side and run it thru the printer and see which side comes out on top. When you get the X to come out on top you'll know which side to face down.

Now that you have your fabric loaded, either place your image onto the printer to be copied or choose an image that you have saved on your computer, click to print and when the print box pops up make sure you set the paper settings to something that is heavy. On mine I use the linen greeting card setting. Matte greeting card or cardstock settings work great too. Click print and wait.................

....for your image to come out all nice and pretty. Peel off the freezer paper---making sure to save it, because you can use the freezer paper over and over again.

Now that you have your image you can heat set it by pressing it with a hot, dry iron or you can lightly spray it with a spray acrylic clear coat.

you could do something like this..as found on this blog :http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.blogspot.com/

Oh MY!

2010-06-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

i just found a wonderful blog...called Altar'd...you MUST check it out!...what an absolutely ingenious idea for a business!...i love it that she loves the Lord...she is a witty and interesting writer...and she obviously is waaaayyy talented...i just HAD to post about it! PLEASE check her out and leave me a message telling me what you think!!!...i haven't even scratched the surface on her blog yet and am already so excited i want to jump out of my skin!!!

http://altard.blogspot.com/

OH EM GEE

2010-06-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.youcanmakethis.com/blog/952/chic-pillows-watch-video-download-free-pattern.html

you have to watch this...darling pillows and ever MORE darling flowers!!!...remember i told you how much i am "into" this new making flower thing...with this one you can burn the edges! i recommend you to be careful!!!...i haven't tried it yet, but my wonderful friend Ruthann told me about this method and i found this tutorial! can't wait!....i am trying to find a picture that i can copy...still workin on that ....in the meantime...watch the video!

clothesline ramblings and such

2010-06-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

i have kind of been mia...but for very good reason, trust me....

.you have to read this darling poem about clotheslines! i was perusing blogs (i find such fabulous blogs it is unbelievable)....and i stumbled upon one with this fab poem...i got the poem copied......and becuz, as you know, i am not exactly high tech on the computer...somehow i clicked on something and all of a sudden i couldn't get back to the blog with this poem...so IF you are reading this dear , wonderful blogging person...and IF you indeed did write this...please don't get mad at me for "borrowing" it...i will still try to find you...promise...then i will link to you....

ANYHOO

i just absolutely love love love clotheslines, clothespins and all things related!!! on my former blog i have a post dedicated to hanging clothes out...if you have the time...go to my profile page and go to my first blog and find it..i mean...if you want to...no pressure :)

i have wonderful clothesline memories and love to find vintage pictures that depict the wonderfulness of those days of hanging clothes on the line!...i have a new dream...i want to go back to the country...with a country house...and a barn and a garden shed and a shed for my studio...and a CLOTHESLINE!!...not sure my dream will be fulfilled...but...i can dream...right?

anyway...i found these vintage pics that depict my dream! enjoy!

The Clothesline Said So Much

A clothesline was a news forecast

To neighbors passing by.

There were no secrets you could keep

When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link

For neighbors always knew

If company had stopped on by

To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the fancy sheets

And towels on the line;

You'd see the company table cloths

With intricate design.

The line announced a baby'sbirth

To folks who lived inside,

As brand new infant clothes were hung

So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could

So readily be known

By watching how the sizes changed

You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,

As extra sheets were hung;

Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,

Haphazardly were strung.

It said, "Gone on vacation now"

When lines hung limp and bare.

It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged

With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon

If wash was dingy gray,

As neighbors raised their brows,

And looked disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past

For dryers make work less.

Now what goes on inside a home

Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life.

It was a friendly sign

When neighbors knew each other best

By what hung on the line!

i hope you enjoyed that!....well...life has been full for sure..Larry has been working on a covered wagon for VBS at Vinings Lake Church...where our son is the pastor...it has been taking up real estate in my living room for a couple weeks..so i am very glad it is GONE...but it sure did turn out cute..

here is a pic of it on the stage at the church:

so long for now!

Hopie Days

2010-06-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

well, here i am...planted on the couch cuz i'm too exhausted to move...it has been a wonderful, wild, busy, entertaining, albeit fabulous two days with my little Hopie love....but...there is NEVER a minute down...truly!...i actually "beg" her for 10 minute breaks...she always agrees...but 10 minutes to her last really no more than ONE minute...that's OK!......i adore every second with her...she is a delight and a miracle at every turn! she has had another bout of seizures and tons and tons of needles and dr. visits in the last few months...and as always before...absolutely NOTHING shows up on any of the tests!......she is balanced on her meds once again and hasn't had a seizure since the morning of her 9th birthday! yippee!!!..........even tho life is much harder for her than for you and i.........she is FULL OF LIFE!........and as happy as a clam!!!.... we love our time together...i wanted to get an adventure in with her before the summer blows away and she is back in school again.......hopefully we will get a couple more in before that happens....
i think her favorite thing to do at my house is to play pretend!........i am everything to her, mommy...daughter...teacher...student...whatever the particular "scene" she is creating at the moment!..and does she EVER have an imagination!..hmmmmmmm.....wonder where she gets that from...i seem to recall being terribly imaginative myself!..

here she is...this morning...still in jammies...writing a card to her family...it was so stinkin cute...she told each one of them how much she loves and misses them...then she decorated it with cupcake stickers!

Pap Pap needed her to try out his covered wagon he is making for her VBS this year...yup! just right!

here she is, posing and modeling her new jewelry we made last nite....i had a little fun in the photo editing department as well!......oh my.........these pics remind me of how she is growing up!...isn't she beautiful???????

here she is..."performing" with her new microphone...it even has an applause button on it!! and she is quite the performer!!!

happy dance

2010-06-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

i say YEEHAW.....ok...no more redneck talk...i DID it!...i got it figured out...i changed my plans slightly and chose this precious aqua background...are you in *heart* with it OR WHAT???...truth be told...i didn't accomplish it with true knowledge of what i am doing...i accomplished it with try try try again and maybe something will work out right...HOWEVER...i did learn ONE thing...but i shan't tell!!!!....i think from now on i can successfully re-decorate whenever i want!!!....now that is a YEE HAW...for the last time....(maybe)

UH OH

2010-05-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

well...i've gone and dun it agin....i have messed my blog up!....dagnabbit!!!.....i was trying to give it a facelift...you know me...i get bored fast and easy...and i guess i just don't know what i'm a doin!...yeah, i know, i know...yall could have told me that a long time ago....oh...i had such a cute idea planned....drat!...don't know how i to git outta this wun...i need professional help...i'm just a wunderin why i am talkin redneck right now???....cuz i am feelin SO STUPID....well...gotta run fer now...

Memorial Day musings

2010-05-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Per History.com:

"Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades."

i have always loved the Memorial Day weekend..one of my favorite things to do as a child was to go to the gravesites of my family members with my Mom and decorate the graves with flowers. as a child we always planted live plants carefully beside each grave in a designated spot...i was enthralled with that..as we would walk to each gravestone, my Mom would tell me little stories about each of my relatives...i ate that up!!!...i also would wander off on my own and read the words on the markers..often finding babies or small children...and even at a young age i was heartbroken and complexed over the death of small children...i guess i took it for granted that OLD people do die...but in my mind YOUNG people should not...so i took in those graves somberly and with great pondering...

nowadays....i guess it is a bit disappointng to me...they mostly put out PLASTIC and SILK flowers...only to re-gather them in about 10 days because the caretakers of the cemetary demand so.....and then use them again next year....now, i know it is different in different parts of the country...i actually don't think that is the case here, in the ATL area......i see graves decorated year round, tho i mostly see FAKE flowers....at least they are decorated, and i appreciate that...but i just really have a problem with using them again, year after year...for ME...it sort of takes the respect out...and using fake...REALLY drives me crazy...but i am SO glad i have my childhood memories and they certainly were DEAR!

even as an adult if by chance i am with my Mom (which is rare)....i still enjoy the cemetary trips, the stories, the tidbits of family oddities and the peacefulness i find in those cemetaries...i think the trees are taller, the birds chirp louder and the air smells cleaner in a cemetary...at least that is my MEMORY....thanks Mom for the gifts of time and talking and sharing you have given to me...wish we could have MORE

i also think of Larry's Mom, who passed away last year...oh how we miss her!...she is in a wonderful, family-filled cemetary as well...but somehow it seems sad that her body is there...even tho that cemetary is peaceful and beautiful too...we have had to constantly remind ourselves that SHE is not there, only her body!...for she is rejoicing in Heaven with her Heavenly Father!....the story starts changing when it is your OWN family passing away...seeing parents go...this is a new chapter of our lives...and quite frankly i don't LIKE it.....i am dreading the ongoing of it as we see the mortality of our own parents... it is a time we have to lean heavily on the Lord and His Wisdom!...

ok...well...i feel this got a little"heavier" than i anticipated...so with THAT...i am going to STOP!...

but not without remembering MANY a wonderful picnic on Memorial Day weekend as well!! ...and also being so very grateful for the men and women who served and gave their lives for our freedoms! i pray our freedoms will continue and our country will stay strong...but i FEAR it will not if the state of affairs happening in our land NOW do not reverse...we need to PRAY...we need to TURN FROM WICKEDNESS....our nation is in great peril...

we need to HUMBLE ourselves.....

with that...i'm outta here...

after posting the above...i read Our Daily Bread ...it was SO fitting...i just had to copy and paste...

May 28, 2010Our Times— His Hands

READ: Psalm 31:1-16

“You are my God.” My times are in Your hand. —Psalm 31:14-15

In a message to the 2002 graduates of Cedarville University, Dr. Paul Dixon encouraged them with these words: Your times are in Gods hands. Our family listened and thought it was appropriate for the graduates, which included our daughter Julie.

We had no idea that in 5 days our 17-year-old Melissa would graduate to heaven through a car accidentand we would be left to recall with new meaning that thought from Psalm 31:15.

Over the years, we have become painfully aware that in Gods mysterious ways, He has planned for some Christians a life that is short. I think of one young Christian girl, the kind with a smile for everyone, who had a sore fingerand a week later was dead from a raging infection. Or the young believer who was killed while playing softball when a ball hit her in the neck. Or the teen boy who loved Jesus and fishingand died when a car hit him as he rode his bike home from the fishing hole. Melissa, Heather, Maggie, and Thomas. In their short lives, they created a legacy of faith in Jesus and love for others. They were ready when His time for them had come.

I trust in You, the psalmist said, recognizing that his life was in Gods hands alone (vv.14-15). Are you trusting God for whatever comes next on your calendar? Dave Branon

Sovereign Ruler of the skies,

Ever gracious, ever wise,

All my times are in Your hand,

All events at Your command. Ryland

Our times are in Gods hands; our souls are in His keeping.

a delightful blog designer!

2010-05-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

http://daisygraydesign.blogspot.com/

you MUST check out this designer...she designs FREE blog designs...i "may" have to give mine a facelift!

busy days/bragging rights

2010-05-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

well, we've had some busy days....our neice, Emily Hixson Miller and her hubs, Jeff and darling kiddos, Brayden and Mya were here for the weekend...they "got" to participate in Carter's end of the season baseball games...he went to the championship as well...so, THO...it took a lot of time away from other activities planned...we still enjoyed each other at the ball field!......well...most of the time..........the weather was hot and muggy and almost dripping rain it was so humid...but besides THAT...it was fun!

Carter made some astounding plays, especially the last 3 games of the season...man, he has really stepped up his game...we were so proud of him!...of course we have NO problem making utter fools of ourselves...well, i SHOULD say I have no problem making a fool of myself over him!!.....i still can't figure out why everyone turned around and stared at me when i kept ~~screaming~~ shouting ..."Carter, YOU ROCK"!......and he did....he made 2 in the park homeruns...each in the 2 last games!...well, here are the pics...of course you KNOW there are pics!!!

Carter! YOU ROCK!

here he is, accepting his championship trophy!

Hope couldn't wait to congratulate Carter!

here are the cuzzies...minus the camera shy Bray

...and there you have it...another day in the life of a ball park...it's been a good day in the neighborhood...trophy in one hand...cousin in the other...ahhh...these are the good times....

empty frames

2010-05-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

OMG.........you have to see this: http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/2009/12/trend-alert-frame-it.html

if you know me at all, or have seen pics of certain parts of my house, or just know how "out of the box" i like to be...then you know i LOVE this empty frame art!!!!.....i love each one of these ideas!...especially the Christmas bobbles hanging in the frame!!! woohoo....try it, you might like it...too

Part the Waters/I Need Thee Every Hour by Selah

2010-05-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

twice in a day

2010-05-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

here i am...blogging twice in one day...now that is a record!...i just wanted to post some pics of my front door plantings for the season...i like to doc how they start out...it helps me to know how much they grow...you know, it records the PROGRESS...or, in ~~most~~ some cases the LACK of progress....i am determined to really "baby" my flowers this summer...i want them to STUN the neighborhood!.....you know...i like to ~~show off~~ display nature's beauty!

oh!... and my front door...i had a sickly little wreath up there and just HAD to chuck that thing...i sure didn't want to BUY anything...so i remembered i had this tin hanger/holder ...but it had seen many a summer's sun and was faded and rusty...so i found some left over pink spray paint and and sprayed it...then highlighted the embossing with a whitewash....i found greens in my "stash".......and decided to go green...and let the REAL flowers be the show!....i love re-purposing ~~junk~~ treasures!!!

it's about time

2010-05-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

howdy hey......every day i say to myself...i'm gonna blog today......and i get into FB and before you know it...i don't feel like blogging or even using the computer any more...and another ~~day~~ ~~DAYS week~~ weeks go by!...i'm tellin ya...FB has ruined me! i said it once and i'll say it again...FB has ruined me!
i don't have anything in particular to ~~rant~~ talk about today....but i do have an urgent feeling to share with yall some pics of the little lovies of my life...the 4 ~~monkeys~~ grandchildren...just a random selection...just enuf to make SURE you realize how stinking cute they are...in case you have any slight doubt of THAT....which, as i think about it is virtually impossible anyway...

...and oh yes...i JUST realized that i have the LINE THRU THE TEXT button on my bar of choices...so...PARDON me while i celebrate the usage of it ~~for forever~~ today!

well, there you have it...a RANDOM choosing of pics...some very recent, some not...some from my camera...most NOT...but you have to admit they all are ~~cute~~ ADORABLE!

Iowa trip, part 2

2010-05-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

i failed to mention in part 1 that we also visited with our wonderful and dear friends , the Jorgensen's, while in DesMoines...unfortunately i did not have my camera out...thus NO pics...bad me, bad me....AND...i got a couple hours over coffee with Pat Stafford, again...NO pics....i just wasn't thinking blog at the time...but we certainly had wonderful fellowship and enjoyed laughs, as always...you know me...if laughing's not involved...well...just forget it...know what i mean, jelly bean????

so after leaving DM we made the trek to my hometown of Forest City, Iowa!...where Winnebago trailers etc. are made!...i guess that is our town's claim to fame!!!

on our way to FC we see lots of these wind turbines...they dot the countryside along the way, right into my hometown...i love them!

before we left we had received the news of my Mom's brother, Dean Krieger passing away...so i was thankful to be able to be with my mom and family at this time of grief....and it was wonderful to see relatives and friends that perhaps i would not have been able to, otherwise...we know Uncle Dean is with Jesus now, away from pain, sorrow and disease!

Deb and Daryl...my cousins..Uncle Dean's children

Uncle Dean's oldest son, David and my cousin Vance Knutson

it was a military funeral...i think the moment that was the most touching at the gravesite was when the bugle was playing and my cousin Vance saluted...i started crying

we had a busy week with Mom and Dad...one day we visited a robotic dairy farm!!! it was amazing!...now YOU might not think so, if you have had no particular interest in COWS...but i was raised on a dairy farm and Larry was as well...he found it to be a wonderful experience! below are some of the pictures!...the cows are trained to go to the milking stall when they feel they are ready...everything is computerized...the milker is completely robotic...even to finding their "faucets", if you will....if the milker misses one...the laser beam eventually picks it up!..

the cows have "water beds" to sleep on...no kidding...and they have a place they can go to have a back massage!....i would say these cows are HAPPY COWS!...well...maybe not as happy as those cows in California...you know, the cheese commercial...but they ARE happy cows...i am quite sure of it!

above is Mom and Dad, standing in front of the cow statue...with it's spots- a world map...quite clever, huh?...next to that pic is Lorene Posegate's(my cousin) grandson, Matthew, sitting atop the world cow...btw......it was Matthew who instantly noticed the cow's spots were not just "weird", as i was looking at them in a puzzling way...he immediately said it was a world cow!.....duh........anyway...we were delighted to have Lorene, Matthew and Carollee Smith (a friend from my home church) join us for the day!...it made the day even BETTER!!!

we also toured the most amazing little farmsite...Lorene's parent's former homesite...the people who own it now were so kind and gracious to give us a tour it was wonderful!!!

this is a picture of my dad...i just happened to look out the deck door...and saw him out there, burning trash at the burn barrel...it just struck me as an epic moment...he sits in a chair because of his heart...to rest while trash is burning...the wheel barrel evidently "hauled" the trash to the barrel and in this pic...obviously has been emptied to the fire within the burn barrel...i wonder how old that rusty old blackened barrel is???....no telling...but i do know...it is probably the same barrel i burned trash in as a child, when it was one of my (many) chores!!!...and btw......singed my hair and bangs one too many times as i would peer into the barrel to see how things were going in there!!!

we had a wonderful time with my parents...doctor appointments and all! unfortunately Mom and Dad pretty much LIVE at the doctors...one kind or another...but we are so thankful for their spunk and vitality...sometimes i swear they have more than i do!!!

and the rest is history...HOME! JAMES!!!

Our Iowa Trip (PART ONE)

2010-05-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

we had a wonderful, whirlwind of a trip to Iowa that was exactly 15 days long!!! .......honestly, though i am so glad we did it....but 15 days is too long to be gone at one time...unless, as larry said......we were chillaxin around in a wonderful resort........not to belittle the trip, mind you........it is just too long to not be in my own bed! i am so spoiled! the older i get, the more i want my OWN bed!!!!....as wonderful as each and every guest bed we were in...nothing beats MINE!...smile... it is also just a little too long to live out of a suitcase...i have trouble with organization as it is...and organization in a suitcase...oh boy...watch out...pretty scary...i couldn't find anything in there....good thing i could zip it up and get it out of my sight and mind...until i needed it again...which was way too often!!! :)

we started our trip with an overnite stop to visit with our dear friends, Kim and Ray Nemeth and their daughter Elizabeth....we had not seen them in over 12 years....we were great friends when we lived in Pa. and our kidlets were toddlers...we had recently hooked up via the telephone and when they heard we were going to Ia.....they invited us to stop........and we are SO glad we did! it wasn't long enuf...but oh my...it was a wonderful time...and LAUGH...oh my goodness...i needed those laughs SO much!...well,...let these pictures do the talking for me!

after wiping away tears of laughter, we said our goodbyes and got on the road...

we traveled from there to Bloomfield Iowa, where we were anticipating the reunion of 4 of us Faith Baptist Bible College friends! Diana Davis was hostessing the event...and needless to say, it was fun-packed, laughing -packed and blessing-packed!...(except for the mouse incident...in which case my lungs got their work out THAT day!!!!)...one thing i love about REAL friends......it is easy to be silly...from the start...and if you know me...i guess you know i do silly quite well...here is an example:

and here are the men...Nanc...you were off shopping!

here is a little water color i did and framed it for the 4 of us:

after leaving Diana's on Monday...on the way to DesMoines...we made an afternoon stop in Pella, Iowa...and oh my ! we were so glad we did! Pella was always a fave with us and especially at this time of the year when they have their tulip festival!...we were just in time for a grand display of tulips! it was magnificent!!! the weather was absolutely perfect and it certainly was a GRAND STOP!! i begged Larry to let me go thru my most favoritest furniture store in the whole world...and of course he DID...and it did not disappoint...i absolutely LOVE every little thing they do and have in that store!!! it was beyond what i could have expected! i asked if i could take pictures and they graciously said OF COURSE!...and so i did...a bit too many to show here...but here are a few...

we had lunch at a favorite coffee shop here:

.. we caught up with computer stuff...

and the BEST stop...DUTCH LETTERS AT JAARSMA BAKERY, oh yeah, BABY!!....yum yum:

we walked thru central park and around the charming little town...we even got to see the puppet show as it played on the town square at the strike of 3:00!!!! the tulips were gorgeous and i took so many pictures i can't even show all of them!!!...what a day!!!;

from there we traveled to DesMoines and stayed with the Alberhasky's...here is Joan...entertaining her grandchildren...this is a sign of a good grandma...when she is willing to be under the table, playing with her grands...and by the way.......i would do the same thing and HAVE!!...kids love making tents and houses in the most of unusual ways! we had a wonderful time at their house , they entertained us and took care of us in a most magnificent way! we are so so spoiled by them!!!!!

we then traveled to Forest City to see my parents for the last leg of our journey

we're home!

2010-05-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

blogging to follow...we got home late last nite...had a wonderful time in Iowa...have lots of pics to show....these are tulips in Pella, Iowa....we had a wonderful, beautiful afternoon there...just me and the hubs...it was wonderful!...lata!

i LOVE paper flowers!

2010-04-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

here are a few of my paper flowers i am absolutely nuts over!!!...i learned how to do this from this site:http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-torn-paper-flowers.html.....this site is fabulous!!!...click on paper on left sidebar...and find out how to do many more kinds of paper and ribbon and fabric flowers!!!....along with a zillion other things to do on her site!!!

you GOTTA try this!

2010-04-08T11:47:00.001-07:00

ok...this is so beyond darling! i am all of a sudden "so into" paper flowers!!!...they cost a fortune to buy...why not make them???...this is from a site called:littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com....check it out!...there are many more paper flowers to make on this site...plus about a million zillion other things too!!!...sorry , i can't get the link to work...still learning people...ugh...anyway...it is WORTH it to copy and paste! really!

ANNOUNCEMENT

2010-04-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

okay....i would like to tell you my plan!!!...

it is this:

i am going to do something i have never seen done in blog world!..i said, i have never seen it done...that doesn't mean it hasn't been done!...what is it???????????

i am going to have a

BLOGARAGE SALE!!!

that's right...a blog-garage-sale!...right here on my website!...it is time to do some spring cleaning around here...i am going to post pictures of whatever i find around here with a reasonable price, plus shipping cost...new, used, handmade, vintage, WHATEVER!!!....

we are planning a long-awaited trip to my home state of Iowa to visit my parents and wonderful friends...sooooo....i will get this going when we get back...which will be the first week of May...so stay tuned!

my Christmas Cactus

2010-04-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

...let me tell you about my Christmas Cactus....

it is "quite" old...it's beginnings came to me about 20 years ago from my dear mil, who has now gone to be with the Lord...on one of their visits to Iowa when we lived there..(where i was born, raised, married and raised my children)....anyhoo...she brought me several "clippings" from "mother" plants, who came from various and asundry other "mother" plants that ultimately came from Larry's grandmother, who we affectionately called "Mum Mum"...and where her little clippings came from?...well...that is up to the imagination, at this point...

i would guess she brought me at least 5 or 6 different colors and shades...which also meant 5 or 6 different pots for each one, right?....i was forever grateful for the gift of baby cc's...(really i was)....however, i had found out quite early in my young marriage when my bff's all produced spectacular specimens called plants, flowers and vegetables...that my thumb was NOT green...well...maybe it was...but it was putrid green...because it sure did not help me in that category, not one little bit...in other words.......i really STINK at growing indoor anything!..but i really wanted to "preserve" the tradition and absolutely LOVED the idea of having these little darlings around my house, where i could point out to inquisitive onlookers what a history they have!!!...

so....time went on...and, well, because i was not particularly inclined to "nurture" plants...they all just started looking pathetic to me...there they were...5 or 6 little pathetic pots sitting around my house and instead of luring interest through their infinite beauty...they really just pointed out what a HORRIBLE keeper of plants i was!.......i secretly wanted to dispose of them and forget that i ever tried....but i just couldn't!!!...finally one day i came up with a plan....WHY do i need that many pots sitting around looking so nasty...i just can't find it in myself to murder them......so how bout if i put them all together???....wow, good idea, i thought!!!....ONE NASTY POT is better than 5 or 6 nasty pots, right?..........so i found a large container...and dutifully planted each sickly little specimen!!!

well...somewhere along the line i was told that plants need nurturing...wow...there's a new concept!...(just like people, who knew?).......i was told there was actually PLANT FOOD!....you gotta be kiddin me???........so i got some...and carefully administered the precious life-giving substance...and

VOILA!!........after a few months...my "plants" started thriving and growing and thriving and growing!!!.........oh, i just could not wait to see what beyond fabulous show they would display at Christmas time!!!.........so....the Christmas season approached...i guess...late Fall...and i started seeing little baby buds...(there had been only a few small flowers previously).......and i was exited!!!.........and yup, just in time for Christmas...i did have a display....but guess what?....of only ONE color!...the bright fuschia color...and that has been the ONLY color to EVER bloom since!!!..........and this year...i had TWO lonely fuschia blooms!!!..........

the conclusion is...i am not cut out to raise indoor plants......but i have to say.....despite my horrible management of plant life...these 5 or 6 species continue to live under my care...anonymously, i guess...i still love the memory of where they came from!!!

...now...just one more little tidbit....SOOOOOOOOOO....the other day i realized my cactus was thirsty...so of course i got her some water, laced with PLANT FOOD.......and kind of leaned down into the plant, so as to not spill the water everywhere and all of a sudden i jumped away, spilling the water EVERYWHERE....because i saw THIS in the pot!!!

OH MY VERY WORD OF HONOR!!!..........as soon as i caught my breath...i remembered it was an ornament i had put there last summer!!!.........GOOD GRIEF!!!...........yes...*CRICKETS*........in the brain, for sure!!!

good morning MONDAY

2010-04-05T08:08:00.001-07:00

oofta...it was hard to get up this morning...it has turned HOT , here in the big ATL and we have a furnace/AC prob...so we have not been able to run our air yet...(supposed to get fixed today...oh....hope hope hope...fingers crossed ten times over)...and seriously, it is so exceptionally "warm" in this place that i have not been able to sleep well...i finally tried the couch, which is directly UNDER a fan.....and still...HOT...ugh...i did finally drift off...gotta run off to work in a few...but wanted to post the address to our new business...i want to tell you about it, but no time today...but pleeeeeeeze click on the link and check it out...we aren't the kind of people who just "hook" up with just any ol company out there...NOR are we the kind of people who have EVER been particularly excited about becoming "salesmen"!!.....but in the event that Larry lost his job LAST June...(ugh ugh ugh)......he did extensive research on the net...and found this company...on his own...no one approached him...he did the research and rejected EVERY other company he looked in to, except THIS one...we have found the products to be phenomonal (sp?).....and the BEST thing...they WORK!...they do what they SAY....and they solve problems.....and in the long run they save money....we are very excited about it...well...gotta run....

PLEASE check it out...and let us know what you think!!!!/http//www.myvollara.com/esuite/home/clsystems

He is Risen!!!

2010-04-03T14:48:00.001-07:00

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”- Hebrews 12:2

more vintage!

2010-04-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

what a beautiful day it is here in Georgia, today! i would say Spring has definitely "arrived"!! it is supposed to be beautiful on Easter day as well!

on Saturday morning we will have our "annual" family Easter Egg Hunt...this time it will be in Heidi's front and back yard!!! i have most of my eggs ready to go...still have to get a few last minute items today! so pictures will be coming of that event! it usually brings lots of fun and laughter!

Larry and i have been faithfully walking in our newfound walking park....increasing our steps as our endurance increases!...we are now walking at least a mile and a half...and will continue to increase as much as possible!...the only TROUBLE is...everything is blooming and the longer i am outside...the more i suffer from allergies...so THAT really stinks...i wake up EVERY morning with a headache..not to mention all the other problems associated with allergies...and of course...Georgia is HORRID for allergies...soon we will see bright yellow pollen literally coated on everything..our white car will turn yellowish green...as well as everything else...NO KIDDING...we can only hope for rain when that happens to calm the fiendish stuff down!!

well...enuf chatter for now...again...enjoy the vintage images and please feel free to copy and paste...they are wonderful to have and to use!...oh...and IF you do copy and paste them...would you please leave me a comment??? i would love to hear from you!...Happy Easter!

Easter Greeting at my door

2010-03-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

If you were to visit me, this would greet you at the door! I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Easter weekend!

Try This!

2010-03-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

isn't this just soooo cute????.... and easy!!!.... the eggs are dyed, hard boiled eggs, layered into a larger, round glass vase or container...or cookie jar...with a clear glass holding the flowers in the center...sooo simple!...if you didn't want to use the eggs...you could put jelly beans or jordan almonds around the outside as well!!!...

Easter Week!!

2010-03-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

i have collected many vintage images over the last few years, some are my own from actual documents, most are from the internet from those very generous and wonderful people who put them there free of charge for people like ME, who absolutely LOVES most anything vintage-ey!!!.......i just cannot tell you what vintage does for me...i guess it creates a longing for the simple things in life..or at least what i deem simple...they evoke my childhood memories..as many of these images come from the 50's era...and probably earlier...a time where i did not even realize how stressful life can really be and i was not ultimately responsible for my well-being, my parents were...anyhoo...feel free to copy and paste and use whatever i put out here! these are GREAT for mixed media!...OR...why not make a "new" vintage Easter card???

Post # 3!

2010-03-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Wednesday!

well....really it is almost noon...but, hey, who's keeping track?

i am just so excited about finally getting to blogging again i just want to get # 3 on the books!!!....i really have nothing "important" to say today...yet anyway.

Larry and i took our walk together yesterday and we discovered a wonderful walking trail very close to where we live! i mean, i guess i knew it was there...i just never tried it out...we had been walking down this quite horrid side road, where the scenery is basically a "dump" of old machinery and machinery parts and weeds and overgrown, out of control shrubbery...and quite dreadfully, probably a nesting place for all sorts of little creatures that just make my skin crawl!...that is why i will never walk it alone...all i can think of is little creatures....it follows a river...which sounds quite lovely...and it would be if it could be cleaned up...but it just conjures up creepy, scary things for me!!! we have actually woke up in the middle of the night to coyotes howling...seriously...i guess they "linger" down by the river...and the neighbors tell "tales" of them creeping up close to our town houses...EEEK!....so, yes...those are my visions when we walk down that side road...

...so now we have a nice, fresh, not deserted new place to walk! we are envisioning our grandkidlets joining us this summer...with their bikes...they will LOVE it!

let me introduce you to the cutest kids EVER

2010-03-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

well, here i am!

2010-03-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

yup...starting again!...hope it "sticks" this time!!! i have promised and promised til' cows turn pink to blog again and i am trying, YET AGAIN!

i DO love FaceBook...truly i do...but it really ruined me...in that it is a much lazier way to do one's creative thinking and writing!......but in the END...i have resolved that blogging is my "thing",

yes it is.

i do have a goal...that is to just let my writing roll right off my fingers onto this blog page and ramble on about any little ol' thing i want...

to share with YOU the ramblings and braggings and pictures of the darlings of my life...my FOUR GRANDCHILDREN...

to share with you our new business with VOLLARA and the marvelous products they represent...

i would like to do some giveaways and hopefully post some of my creations for sale....

i also hope to share good ideas about almost anything that comes my way!.....

so HANG ON!!!....

here we go!!!!...

POST #1..

DONE

sandi lou's musings too

pinterest

pictures for PINTEREST

Just a Little Heart Cleaning

get your party on!

vintage fun

DaySpring E-Cards

oh how i needed this today...want to share it with you

dear blog...i am sorry..i have missed you, have you missed me?

Spiral Paper Rose Tutorial

Writing on a chalkboard tutorial

and yes...here is yet another one..

i concur

something appropriate for me, how about you?

God's Chisel - posted by The Skit Guys (skitguys) - tangle.com.flv

the day we visited with the goats..oh!...and a baby deer!

a LITTLE RED WAGON idea!

gettin the kids up on the wall again

update on the summer greenery

A Tomato Tip

clozepinnies

W.O.W. lookie at this ORGANIZED, VINTAGE studio!

i la la la LOVE this!

this could make me a Goodwill shopper!

Orangutan and the Hound

my dream of chickens and chicken houses

the holy sigh

oh be still, my heart

dreamin' of Fall....(yall)...just couldn't resist

Piece Of Our Heart

school starts for the grands

another fabulous blog !

Cottage Hill: Making An Entry Where There Isn't One...

Carter's bday card

Little Emma English Home

life just happens

Living Water PH Test Training by Karina Harris

try this...why dontcha????

craft therapy

my seven year old MOM!

Happy Birthday dear U.S. of A !

Holy Cow

new characters have been born!

all things PINK

Color Analysis - free online analysis

did you know you could make curtains out of drop cloths?????????

now i've seen it all

oh! you must visit this blog!!!...if you HURRY...you can sign up for a giveaway!!!

you can print on fabric!!!

Oh MY!

OH EM GEE

clothesline ramblings and such

Hopie Days

happy dance

UH OH

Memorial Day musings

a delightful blog designer!

busy days/bragging rights

empty frames

Part the Waters/I Need Thee Every Hour by Selah

twice in a day

it's about time

Iowa trip, part 2

Our Iowa Trip (PART ONE)

we're home!

i LOVE paper flowers!

you GOTTA try this!

ANNOUNCEMENT

my Christmas Cactus

good morning MONDAY

He is Risen!!!

more vintage!

Easter Greeting at my door

Try This!

Easter Week!!

Post # 3!

let me introduce you to the cutest kids EVER

well, here i am!