HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Blue Monday 12/29

Yay! It's time for Blue Monday...the LAST Blue Monday of this year...Be sure to stop by and see Sally @ Smiling Sally and see who else is sharing their blue's.
So I thought I'd share a special picture...It was a beautiful day, and here you'll see an awesome sunset against a super blue sky
This was ta ken last year. This is my "baby girl" and she'll be graduating this coming June...You can't "tell", but her eyes are very blue as well :0).Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fantastically blue day!

Hello Again!

Hi everyone!
It's been a long hiatus but it was one I needed to take. I know for many saying good bye to a pet isn't that tough, but it hit me harder then I expected. I think because it brought back memories of family I've lost as well. I admit, I went into a bit of a funk, but I'm fine now :0). I'm back to my old self and remembering all the happy times and why Christmas was and is so special. I hope everyone had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and that the New Year welcomes us all with much happiness, prosperity and health.
I can just imagine how busy all of you have been (me too!) and must say THANK YOU to all who left me such wonderful messages.
I've missed everyone and will start playing catch up this weekend. But first! I must take down my tree. It's so dry :0(. It was ready to be pulled down over a week ago but I wanted to have a tree up for Christmas day. We really ran our heater much more then usual. It's been extremely cold here (for us warm bloods, it's been frigid!) and the heat was going on and off all day. Sadly, my wonderful tree couldn't stand it. So today, I'm packing away all the wonderful ornaments until next year. I suggested (to the family) that we buy a faux tree...you'd think I suggested I cut off my own limb judging my the looks of horror that crossed their faces! LOL!
Well, I"m off to clean up, pack and prepare for New Year's. Hugs to you!

I'll meet you at Rainbow Bridge....

Saying Good-Bye...

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were introduced and needless to say we were all immediately smitten with you. Your sweet & gentle disposition and furry softness were too much to resist. We "fought" over what your name would be and eventually I won out... The color of your fur reminded me of "Bailey's Irish Cream". She will be called Bailey! Papa snagged your middle name....Tinkerbell..and so it was, you were named
Bailey Tinkerbell Dawg.

You were friend, companion, protector of all, and an important part of our family. Nobody knew how to "give paw" like you, "speak" as loudly as you did, or "lay down" with such a graceful flop. At mealtime there was no dog louder "demanding" her boy to "feed me! feed me!". And whether it was a doorbell, stranger at the door or a flying bug, you were there to protect & conquer. No fly, bee, or cricket stood a chance against your fluff and jaws of speed.

Whether you were playing hide n' seek...Working the runway...(err, patio)
Snagging cigar butts...
Loving your boyor Celebrating your birthday, you did it with happiness .
And although you were an "old lady" you were still there with us, rooting for our team...We loved you more and more each day and yet the inevitable happened...
You continued to grow older...you slowed down...and you slept most of the time. Then I saw it happening...your little light didn't shine as bright and began to fade til it was no more then a flicker. I kept you home with us as long as I could so you'd have your family around you when it was your time to go, but close to the end it was apparent it wasn't going to be easy. Your body was dying and things were happening that would humiliate you, and I knew that if there was anything else I could give you in this life, besides my love, it was your dignity. So in the end, although you were in a doctor's office, it was mine and papa's face you saw at the end. With all the love my heart could hold, and with tears in my eyes, I stroked your head and told you it was okay to go now.

Sleep well Bailey Fa-Failey...we'll see you again at Rainbow Bridge. Wait for us.

Bailey Tinkerbell
November 22, 1997-December 14, 2008

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Show & Tell~~O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas tree...

It's Show & Tell Friday! Be sure to stop by Kelli's, There's no place like home to see who else is sharing today :0)

Last Friday night~ Hubby, myself and our two littlest fellows went to find our Christmas tree...




Searching...Searching....Wait! Could that be "it" ?!
Our Tree...
This year it's decorated with both old and some newer ornaments. I've many Disney ornaments from my older kid;s childhood years and some hand made by my oldest child. We've got Crystal ornaments, as well as glass. I'll share those another time.

Just a few for now though...
A sweet rocking horse that commemorates my youngest's first Christmas...

The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things...
Wreath...
Using this as Friday's post as well. I don't know about you, but the season has got me busy, busy, busy...Thanks for stopping by :0)

A great big Thank You!!! & Blue Monday 12/8

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU goes to my friend Jeanne @ the Backyard Neighbor. I was fortunate enough to be one of her winners this past week. I was so excited when I saw a package on my front stoop, that I immediately ripped into it before I could even take any pictures (lol). This is what I found. The give a way was for the beautiful ornaments...Imagine my surprise when I saw the fun little goodies she'd included with my wonderful prize. A stackable Santa that my youngest son has declared a "favorite" of his. Can you imagine the wonderful little treats I could stash in here and surprise him with? And it's hard to see, but laying next to the ornaments is a cute little Santa "post it" notepad. THANK YOU JEANNE!!! As we say round these parts...YOU'RE TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

It's Monday! You know what that means? It's time for Blue Monday, so graciously hosted by Sally @ Smiling Sally. Be sure to visit Sally's and see who else is strutting in blue today.

It's Donald Duck. Donald has been hanging on my tree since 1985...
This Santa bell was given to me by my father. He found it one day while he was out perusing yard sales...
A Kinkade ornament gifted to me by a family member. Most know of my love of Kinkade...I got these ornaments from "House of Lloyd" over fifteen years ago (could be even longer!).
The blue is just one of four different colors.
And how they're usually displayed. I love the way the light plays off the jewel tones... All dressed up for Christmas...I told you I love Kinkade...Thanks for stopping by and spending some of you Monday with me. I hope you are enjoying your day!

Friends Awarding Friends...

My friend Kathy @ Mimi's Garden was so kind to think of me when she honored me with this award. Kathy, thank you so much. It makes me feel special :0) Ladies! Please take a moment & go on over to Mimi's Garden and wish Kathy a great big Happy Birthday !!! Kathy is so kind and sweet that it doesn't surprise me that on HER birthday, she is gifting others.

The rules are to deliver this award to eight bloggers of my choice, who in turn choose eight bloggers of their choice to send it to...and so on.

Here are the guidelines to follow in choosing your recipients:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines.

Selecting just eight wasn't easy, but I gave it a shot...

Dawn @ Dawn's Daybreak
Deb @ Garage Sale Gal
Lilly @ Lilly Loves
Anne @ Anne Fannie's Green Acres
Katie @ Rose Breeze Boutique
Jeanne @ Backyard Neighbor
Mildred @ Nalley Valley
Raggedy Girl @ Little house in the Desert

Please visit these wonderful ladies and give them a big hello! I know you will like it there as much as I do.
Enjoy your day!

Christmas has come to our cozy home & a little Show & Tell...

It's Show & Tell Friday so graciously hosted by Kelli @ There's no place like home. Be sure to pay her a visit and see who else in sharing today.

All week long I've been going through decorations, sorting out the old stuff, incorporating the new stuff and trying to make our cozy space festive and merry...

As you enter our home this is what greets you. Nevermind the "artwork" on the side of that cabinet. That was created by my youngest child when he was going through is "creative" phase. lol!
Oops! Forgot to move the dog bowl. I've not much space to display Christmas cards that we receive so I now put up ribbon and hang the cards from the ribbon and it makes a kind of festive looking tree...As you turn into the livingroom. I took these photos when it was rather late and my furbabies were all ready settled in for the night. As you take your tour, I'm sure you'll recognize many of my "finds & treasures" ...Hubby bought this Nativity for me when we moved to this area. It's been with us as long as we've been married.I love the glow of the Christmas lights but unfortunately, it was very hard to get a good picture of the whole room aglow...
When we get our tree (possibly tonight) it will be placed in front of the large picture window to the left...Thank you for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season...

Blue Monday 12/1

It's time for Blue Monday! Blue Monday is hosted by the ever gracious Sally @ Smiling Sally. Be sure to stop by her place, say hello, and check out who else has got their blue on today :0).

Keeping in the spirit of the season...

Here's a bit of my Christmas decor for this year. In the center of the brandy jar is a vintage blue glass ornament that I recently found on one of my thrifting adventures. Behind it is a favorite print of my five year old. It's simply entitled "Snow".

Let the decorating begin...

Hi all!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. I've been enjoying this past week and now I'm all getting all geared up for Christmas. I love this time of year. Hubby was sweet enough to pull down all my decorations and these past two days I've been sifting through the boxes and taking stock of what I have and how I'd like to use it. I've new pretties to use this year as well (Thanks Deb-Garage Sale Gal). My living room and dining area are just covered in open boxes, ribbons, Santa's and Snowmen just waiting to be displayed. I may be a bit scarce these next few days, but just know I'll be back to catch up with everyone when I return.
Hugs and enjoy your weekend!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy: "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

Samuel Adams, father of the American Revolution: "It is therefore recommended ... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor ..."—November 1, 1777 (adopted by the 13 states as the first official Thanksgiving Proclamation)

Anne Frank: "I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy."

Theodore Roosevelt: "Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."—1901

New Treasures and Great Finds...

This past week I finally had the opportunity to get to the thrift store and I made some great finds. I think you'll agree...

My son spotted this afghan. On Saturday mornings, he and his little brother like to cuddle on the couch and watch some cartoons. This will be a good one for them to share. As you can see it's a pretty good size (covering my table that seats six) and look at all the work that someone put into this. I often wonder who was the one who crocheted this, who did they make it for & who has to make the choice to part with such works. As you can see, it's found a new home with us and it will once again be put to use.
Look at all these goodies! I got a set of fifteen cups and fifteen saucers for $7.48. Some Christmas plates that were just $1 apiece (I got four) a ceramic Christmas themed basket $1.50, that I thought would work well holding some Christmas candy , and look at those ornaments.I may actually tie some ribbon onto the handles and use these as ornaments on my family tree this year. I'm still thinking about it. This was an exceptionally great find. No chips or cracks to be found on any of the cups or saucers.The ornaments reminded of the kind my mom used to hang on the Christmas tree when I was a small girl. Remember those? No matter how well you wrapped and packed them, you always found one broken the following year. Of course with such sweet memories being stirred, I had to have them. They were just $1.18. The original price that shows on the box was $1.87 and they were made in Poland. These are very fragile so I won't be putting them on my tree, but I'm thinking I will put them in a glass bowl to display. They are just to pretty to be tucked away somewhere.
Found this Waverly Toile pillow as well (still has the Waverly tag attached). This toile pattern is called Country Life and it's one of my favorites. I happen to have the same fabric in my bathroom but in black/ecru. This pillow was marked $2.48 but I got it for 50% off! Not bad eh? I love, love, love Waverly fabrics. You can see how great the Pantry Plaid Panels blend with my "new" Country Life throw pillow.I'd say the pillow blends in well with the rest of the living/dining areas.
(please excuse the dust, I was actually in the process of cleaning when I decided I better get some pics to post).

Blue Monday 11/24

Monday! You know that that means? It's time for Blue Monday, so graciously hosted by Sally @ Smiling Sally
Be sure to pay her a visit and see who else is bouncing around in Blue today.




My morning coffee mug. It's super sized to give me that great big caffeine jolt I need to get myself moving in the morning. I sure do love me a good cup of coffee in the morning.
This is my blue mixing bowl with pour spout. It's a fire king and was my mother's. When she passed, dad gave it to me.This small juice/water pitcher was given to me by my dad. It used to have two small juice glasses that went with it, but those have since been broken. I tend to use this as a candle holder. The flickering flame looks especially nice glowing through the cobalt color.Thanks for stopping by and sharing a bit of your Monday with me. I hope you'll let me know you were here. Have a great day!