Remember that half the joy of achievement is in the anticipation.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

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!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

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




Tuesday, November 25, 2008

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).

Monday, November 24, 2008

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!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Well, look what I got...


Queenie @ Somewhere in Time-Christie
gave me this cute little award and I want to say THANK YOU and Wahoo! It's such a great feeling to know that someone enjoys coming over and visiting :0). Queenie is fantastic and her blog is one you should take time to visit. I think you'll like it there as much as I do. She's warm, welcoming, friendly.

I'm supposed to pick five friends to share this with and I admit, that was so h-a-r-d !!! But if Queenie could stick to the rules this time, I sure can too. lol!
First I just have to tell these ladies I hope they'll accept this award with pride. They all deserve it.

1. Dawn @ Dawn's Daybreak
2. Deb @ Garage Sale Gal
3. Traci @ Living the Good Life
4. Linnea @ Neabear & B-Daddy's Nest
5. Anne @ Anne Fannie's Green Acres

It's been wonderful getting to know you and share in your daily lives, your memories and your adventures. I know I will always find something wonderful waiting for me when I pop in for a visit. You are all special, wonderful, loving, kind, supportive, encouraging and have inspired me in some way, shape or form.

ALL my friends in Bloggerville are the best!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Pink Saturday 11/22

Happy Pink Saturday Everyone! It's going to be a gloriously beautiful day here, with a high of 85. It's going to be a very busy day so my pink is short and sweet today.

Here is my sweet furbaby Cookie sitting atop her pink blanket and sporting her oh so fashionable pink & red winter sweater. Cookie is looking a bit scruffy these days, but I tend to let her hair grow longer during the fall and winter months so she doesn't get to chilled. We warm bloods do not do well with the colder temperatures unless we're wrapped up warm and tight :0).

Thanks for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with Cookie and I. Be sure to stop by Bev's @ How Sweet the Sound and see who else is parading their Pink.

The Pink Ladies Pledge...THINK PINK !!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Show & Tell Friday 11/21

Oh Happy Day! It's time for Show & Tell Friday! Please visit Kelli @ There's no place like home to see who else is sharing.

So continuing on the theme from yesterday, I decided I'd show a bit of what's inside those wonderful Junior Classic books.

One of my all time favorite stories is Beauty & The Beast. It's a story that originated in France and is in the Junior Classic, volume 1. It's such a gift to read the story as it was meant to be told. Not sugared up or changed. Sometimes the endings are not happy, but other times...they are.
Look at these illustrations...Thanks for spending a bit of your day with me. I hope the rest of your day is great!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Three or More Thursday 11/20

Happy Thursday!
You know what that means?!
It's time for THREE OR MORE THURSDAY !!!
Yahoo! Three or More Thursday is hosted by the lovely Tam @ The Gypsy's Corner.
Be sure to pay her a visit and see who else is showing their "Three's & More".

Books, books,
everywhere books.
Actually this is the little "cubby" in the hall.
I think originally it was built as the phone center or message area.
There is an old looking phone jack below this first shelf that makes me think that.
I keep my books here. These are maybe 1/100th of what I truly have (seriously). I'm a firm believer that one can not have to many books. My hope, is that as our children leave our nest, I'll be able to turn a spare room into my "library". It'll be where I can put out all my books, read to my hearts content...it will be one of my "happy places". Of course then I return to the reality and realize that we will not be empty nester's for a good long while (which is a good thing) and even if one of the older girls decides to try her wings and fly away, the extra room will be given to one of my boys.

This is the second and third shelves as we move up. I've a pretty eclectic mix of books out right now. I generally change the books out every few months. You can see there's a book that gets a lot of attention. The covering on the spine is torn. Actually that book does have a broken spine.
See that Childcraft series? I purchased those the same day I purchased the dishes I shared in Monday's post...At the county fair when my eldest girl was 10 months old. These were bought with her in mind. Now five of "our" children have enjoyed this set.
This is the very top shelf. These are my Junior Classics. I've two sets. The slightly larger books on the left are the "Junior Classics" which have been in my family since the late fifties. The ones on the right are the "New Junior Classics". These were a gift from my sister in law. She was out thrifting and came upon this set. Knowing how much I loved this series, she grabbed snatched them up and gave them to me. She is one of the sweetest and most sincere people I've ever known. Back to the books, this set is missing book number one, so I've been on the lookout for this missing book for over fifteen years. I've yet to find one to replace it.This is the copyright page from book one of the first set.This is the copyright page from book two of the second set.Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll visit Tam to see who else is sharing and while you're at it, why don't you join in the fun and share your collections too :0).

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Been Tagged. The Bookworm Award...

Bookworm Award

Yahoo, What fun!


Shelia @ Note songs (who's our blogland Sweetie) passed this on over to me. I love these things. I think they're so much fun :0).

Here are the rules:
Pass this on to 5 blogging friends.

Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.
Write out the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that..

Okay, here goes. I was pulling out some Christmas things yesterday and sorting through. Normally I display Christmas themed books and magazines on my coffee & end table during the season. This is from a book called "It came upon a Midnight Clear" which is just a collection of stories. This is from a story called The Teacher by Jude Devereaux

Page 56, 5th sentence...
"When Cole looked at her his eyes were cold. "It doesn't matter to me what you believe. But what I have just told you is the truth". "And I guess there is nothing in this for you," she said, one corner of her mouth tilted up in a smile of disbelief. "You don't get riches beyond belief? You don't get power to control a town full of people? To make their decisions for them? To-"

Okay so now I get to try and pick 5 blogging buddies to pass this on to. This is always the hard part :0).

1. Deb @ Garage Sale Gal
2. Dawn @ Dawn's Daybreak
3. Queenie @ Somewhere in Time
4. Linnea @ Neabear and B-Daddy's Nest
5. Bella @ Bella Della

Thanks for playing along ladies !!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

A heartfelt Thank you, Blue Monday & I've been tagged...book tagged!

This will be a big post, so please bear with me. It's all good!
I must give a big THANK YOU to Deb @ Garage Sale Gal.
Not to long ago she celebrated her "101st" post and had a special give away. Guess what?! I'm the winner :0). On Friday a nice package arrived on my door step. I Opened it up and was greeted with multiple treasures.

Deb makes the most wonderful handmade cards...

Look at all these wonderful things!!! I've all ready got plans to frame the vintage napkins and drink coasters, and as soon as my eldest girl saw the red/white crocheted pot holder/coaster/treasure, she said "that is so you Mom!". You'll also see a wonderful Christmas hankie, a cute little cut out of cute "stocking stuffers" a Santa Clause cookie cutter (which my eldest son has all ready made plans to use), some wonderful old lace, a wonderfully girlie post it notepad and a Laura Ashley notepad which is perfect for me to make my Christmas "to do" list on...a white Christmas hand towel with red & gray snowflakes, a red "peace" soft/stuffed/cushy ornament~~~Oh! and look right there in the middle!Some of Deb's wonderful handmade cards. I love, love, love them! I love it all!
Deb-Thank you so much for being such a wonderful blogging buddy, for always being so positive, supportive and encouraging, for sharing yourself, your family and your faith with me and for just being a truly wonderful person. I am so grateful and thankful to have made your acquaintance and to be building our friendship.



Hip Hooray! It's time for Blue Monday! Be sure to pay a visit to Sally @ Smiling Sally and see who else is sharing their blue.

This is my everyday dish ware. I purchased this over 22 years ago at our county fair and it's still going strong. It's made by Arcopal/Table Charm. When I purchased the set, I was told it was virtually indestructible. Over the years it really has held up well. The glasses were not as resistant as the dishes though. All the glasses were lost (earthquakes and dropping them), and I've six of the eight wineglasses left. Along with my service for eight, I've two serving platters, two big serving bowls, a medium serving bowl, a small serving bowl, the wine glasses, the tea cups and saucers, the coffee mugs, the compote bowls, the relish dishes, the water pitcher and the creamer and sugar set. I know I'm forgetting something. Ah well.

Dinner and bread plate...
This is the new open shelving in my kitchen. The second shelf shows (from left to right) my wine glasses, the sugar bowl, water pitcher, creamer, and more wine glasses...There are two blue wine/water glasses that I've added to the mix just because I like they way they look with the set :0)
Close up of the sugar bowl, water pitcher, and creamer...
Close up of my wine glassesRound platter, oval platter, relish dish, compote/dessert bowl, & coffee mug...
Serving Bowl...
Tea cup on saucer, on bread plate, on dinner plate...(lol!)...
I use this relish dish in my bedroom to catch my knick knacks, jewelery or loose change...Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing in my Blue's. I hope you have a Marvelous Monday!

I've been tagged....book tagged!


I've been tagged by Dawn at Dawn's Daybreak with this book tag. (Thanks Dawn!)

The rules are:

1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share seven random and/or weird book facts about yourself.

3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Okay, here goes. My seven facts...

1. I love historical romantic fiction...
2. I never skip to the end of a story to see how it ends. Even if the book is bad/boring, I will read it through.
3. I'm a huge Nora Roberts, LaVeryl Spencer & Debbie Macomber "fan".
4. We've so many books that we never tire of what we have.
5. I have children's books that belonged to my eldest child (now 23), that 18 year stepdaughter read, that my seventeen year old daughter has read, that my nine year old has read and that my now five year year old is making his way through.
6. I don't buy books "new". I'll buy them from Amazon, Ebay, used book stores and garage/yard sales.
7. I love me a good ghost story :0).

I know I'm supposed to tag just seven, but I'm horrible about picking just seven. So, please, if you'd like to play, please do and then let me know! I'd love to read all about you!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Pink Saturday 11/15

Yay! It's time for Pink Saturday. Be sure to visit Bev, our ever gracious hostess with the mostest, @ How Sweet the Sound to see who else is prancing around in Pink today.

A sweet bouquet with a pretty pink rose. Hubbs can be the sweetest guy....sigh*
My favorite hat box. They are wonderful for additional storage and hiding anything you don't want displayed. Up top you see one of my tea cups enclosed in my crystal cloche , er umm-cheese dish, lol! Hmm, looks like Little Miss Rabbit is trying to get into the pink thing too.Thanks for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. Be sure to stop by Bev's and remember...The Pink Ladies Pledge...THINK PINK!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Show & Tell Friday 11/14

Hip Hip Hoo-Ray ! It's time for Show & Tell Friday !
Graciously hosted by Kelli @ There's no place like home.
Be sure to pay her a visit and see who else is sharing today.





These pieces were given to me by the former Mrs. Owner (Linda) of my home. She was the sweetest lady, so gracious and was generous to the point of amazement. Read on and you'll see why. The item on the left is a tea light holder and when the light is aflame, it glows so beautifully. The next is a small pitcher and bowl set. I use it to hold small knick knacks, safety pins, buttons and on occasion, a flower or two. These are special to me because of how they came to be mine. As I said earlier, the former "Mrs." of the home gifted them to me when we moved here. My hubbs and I had been looking to buy a home for quite some time and no matter how we tried, no home became ours. We were outbid so many times, and even when we offerred full price and then some, we'd still be outbid. This was very discouraging and we were even beginning to discuss putting off buying a home of our own. Hubbs said, after our last "outbid" that we were "done"! That next Sunday we saw in our local paper a home for sale not to far from where we were renting. We weren't even looking in our immediate area because we were outpriced here and were looking further "inland". This house was also listed out of our price range but we decided to take a look anyway. That afternoon we decided to drive by the property and take a peek. The house was undergoing a clean up and face lift and being a Sunday, there was no one around. Hubbs suggested I drive by the next day and see if I couldn't speak with someone. That next day I did just that and met the owners who happened to be doing all the work on the home themselves. There were the nicest people and I had such a good feeling upon meeting them. I explained that Hubbs and I had been looking for a home for quite some time and that we'd yet to find one. I was invited to look at the home but to "please" look past the mess. From the moment I walked into this house I felt "good". The house just felt good. If that makes any sense. It wasn't anything like we'd been looking for, it was smaller then I'd hoped for, but it literally "touched" me. I can't explain it. It was in the area we hoped to be in, and it was close to my stepdaughter so Hubbs and we could remain close if she or her mom needed anything. After my tour of the property, I spoke candidly with the Mr. Owner and told him what we'd been approved for, what we had to spend and then asked the listing price. My heart fell when he named a price that was over $12,000 over our price range. Then he said, "Why don't you have your husband take a drive over here and we'll talk about this". I called my hubbs as soon as I got home and hubbs even left work early. We drove over to the "little house" and my hubbs spoke with Mr. Owner as I sat in the living area with Mrs. Owner. I remember rocking my youngest son so hard out of my own nervousness. A bit later the men came into the home with smiles on their faces. Mr. Owner had accepted the amount we'd been approved for, paid our closing costs and a few additional costs as well. Even more amazing is that the offer was a Gentleman's Acceptance. There was no paperwork involved at that moment. He accpeted our word that we'd have the money and what not! They said they just wanted to be sure the home was going to go to a loving family where the laughter of kids would once again be present. Then Mrs. Owner began to share stories of how her own kids ran up and down the hall, hid in the phone cubby and shared the room in the corner. Here we are eight years later and their wish and ours came true. The laughter of children does ring loud and clear, as do that of their parents. We're creating our own memories in the "little house". There was so much they did to make this house ready for us. From painting inside and out, to upgrading the carpet and padding so that our littlest child wouldn't get hurt when he stumbled as he was learning to walk. Mrs. Owner even took me out to pick out the vinyl for the kitchen floor. They went the extra mile on so many things. I believe that God wanted us in this home, that we weren't able to buy the others that we bid on because He didn't want us there. He wanted us to be here, to meet Mr & Mrs Owner, to pay it forward when we can and remember how blessed and fortunate we are.
I still get Christmas Cards from Mrs. Owner and grieved with her when Mr. Owner passed. I often wonder if they know how big the gift they gave us when they sold us the "little house". You see we bought the "little house" just a few months before the huge housing boom. Had we waited, we would never have been able to buy anywhere during that time. Imagine, at it's peak we were priced out of our own neighborhood! LOL!

This is where my treasures are currently residing. On my vanity in my bedroom. I see them everyday, remember how this has all come to pass and give "Thanks" everyday.


Thanks for spending a bit of your Friday with me. Now be sure to make a visit over to Kelli's for more "show & tell".

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Three or More Thursday 11/13

It's time for "Three or More Thursday" which is graciously hosted by Tam @ The Gypsy's Corner.
Be sure to pay her a visit and see who else is sharing their "three's" and while you're at it, why don't you join in the fun?!

I love jars filled with pickings of the season. Being that it's Autum, I've decided to share three crystal jars/vases that I have around the house. All three are Princess House Crystal & are actually very special to me because they used to belong to my mother. Last week marked twelve years since her passing. I can look at each one of these jars/vases and remember exactly where she used to display them and how. She used to put flowers in every one of them.How's this for "three or more"? Talk about one yummy collection! One of my neighbors has a tree in his backyard and every year around this time, he gifts us with these delectable fruits. Last year the tree yielded over 400 avocados. I'm hoping it will be just as abundant this year (LOL!).Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day! Now don't forget! Pop on over to Tam's and share in the fun.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Kitchen Update. We're moving right along...

Well it took longer then I'd hoped it would, but finally...FINALLY, The cabinet crown molding is up!
I'm so excited about it and very happy with the way it came out. It really seems to anchor the old cabinets much better then the original moldings did. I'm happy to say this is another "to do" we can scratch off our list and consider done. Now, originally I had wanted to put the molding all the way around the kitchen, but right now I'm happy with it just being at the top of the cabinets. I keep thinking that if I take it all the way around, it will be to much for my little galley kitchen to handle. Know what I mean? Share your thoughts on the matter please because I know I'll re-visit this issue after I've lived with "this" for a while.

Here you'll see the cabinets before we'd put the moldings up. Yes, my ceilings really are that uneven. I can just imagine the kind of shifting this house has done over it's many years of settling and shaking.
Here's a few shots with the molding done :0)Having the molding up and choosing a style that was chunkier has really made a huge difference in how it looks. The cabinets just seem to be more significant now. The real fun has begun. I'm looking for new accessories and re-working the ones I all ready have. Hopefully by the end of next year we'll have added our new floor, counter tops and backsplash.

I wanted to show you this. This server used to be gold. I sprayed it black, added these plates that I all ready had and voila!A brand new look and I think it came out rather cute.