blessings and baubles

I WANT A BARN

2011-02-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

PRETTY MUCH BEEN STUCK AT HOME WITH THE WINTER WEATHER...JUST MAKES ME WANT TO COOK AND BE CREATIVE..WATCHING A LOT OF HGTV AND FOOD NETWORK...AND DREAMING I HAD A BARN...YES I WANT A BARN IF I CAN HAVE ONE LIKE INA GARTEN'S BARN..I TOLD MISTER B I WOULD COOK HIM MEALS FIT FOR A KING IF HE WOULD BUILD ME A BARN...ONCE AGAIN I GOT THE LOOK OVER THE TOP OF HIS GLASSES...HMMMMM..

an irish blessing

2010-12-31T08:10:00.000-08:00

May you always be blessed with walls for the wind. A roof for the rain. A warm cup of tea by the fire. Laughter to cheer you. Those you love near you. And all that your heart might desire.

sending everyone happy new year wishes..my goal this year is to clean out my attic...my blogging may be few and far between ..if you could see the shape of my attic you would understand...its close to being a fire hazard !!!

MARTHA ADDICTION

2010-11-13T20:29:00.001-08:00

YES...I ADMIT IT ...MY NAME IS AMY AND I AM ADDICTED TO MARTHA STEWART..I RECORD HER SHOW EVERYDAY AND WATCH IT WHEN I GET A CHANCE...WHY .. I DONT KNOW...BUT I DO..ALLEN USUALLY WATCHES WITH ME AND HE IS JUST AMAZED THAT SHE CAN GET AWAY WITH BEING SO RUDE TO ALL HER GUESTS...AND SHE IS...VERY RUDE...SHE IS DEFINITELY AN ALL ABOUT MARTHA KIND OF GIRL..ANYWAY... BELOW ARE A FEW OF THIS YEARS FAVORITE IDEAS....I KNOW I WILL BE MAKING THE PICTURE FRAME CARD HOLDER...AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE... WOOL SOCK GARLAND

FELT CHRISTMAS TREE STOCKING

PICTURE FRAME CHRISTMAS CARD HOLDER...MY FAVORITE

24 DAY COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS SOCK GARLAND...FILLED WITH A CANDY IN EACH SOCK...

fall inspiration

2010-11-07T07:18:00.001-08:00

fall is my very favorite time of the year..it makes me want to be at home baking, decorating and just sitting enjoying the cool crisp air...after the long hot summer this has been a welcome change...just thought I would share a few photos to inspire you to fall it up at your house....

BATHROOM BLISS

2010-08-28T18:37:00.001-07:00

HOPING THROUGH ALL THE CHAOTIC CONSTRUCTION I HAVE NOT LOST ALL MY BLOGGING FRIENDS.... I AM JUST MISSING IN ACTION AMONG CONSTRUCTION TRASH... HERE ARE THE BEFORE AND AFTERS OF THE BATHROOM THIS WAS IN APRIL DURING THE INITIAL TEAROUT

MORE YUCKY TEAROUT

TILING THE TUB SURROUND...THE ONLY THING SALVAGED IN THE BATH WAS THE BATH TUB.... EVERYTHING ELSE IS NEW AND OR REPURPOSED...

ALLEN GROUTING THE BATHROOM FLOOR...

TILE WORK FINISHED, BEAD BOARD UP. WALLS PAINTED AUTUMN FOG...COMMODE AND SINK SET AND READY FOR USE...

FINISHED.....

DETAILS OF THE SHOWER CURTAIN MCKINSEY HAD MADE...

BATHROOM BLISS... NOW ON TO THE UTILITY ROOM...KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE PROGRESS....

IN ANOTHER WORLD

2010-07-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

THIS IS WHERE I HAVE BEEN...IN ANOTHER WORLD...THE LITTLE HOUSE PROJECT WE STARTED IS ABOUT HALF WAY DONE...LITERALLY THE ONLY THING WE HAVE DONE SINCE THE END OF MARCH IS WORK AT OUR REAL JOBS AND WORK AT OUR LITTLE HOUSE...WE HAVE DESPERATELY BEEN TRYING TO MAKE IT HABITABLE FOR MCKINSEY AND WHITNEY...THEY FINALLY SPENT THE NIGHT THERE LAST NIGHT....AND LET ME SAY IT IS STILL ONLY HALF WAY DONE...THEY HAVE A KITCHEN , BEDROOM, LIVING ROOM AND A BATHROOM....THE REST WILL BE DONE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS...WE HAVE ONE BEDROOM, BATH, UTILITY AND FRONT PORCH TO REBUILD...I AM RUNNING OUT OF ENERGY BUT I AM NOT QUITTER SO HERE WE GO...THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE KITCHEN PICTURES BEFORE AND AFTER..ENJOY AND PRAY FOR US TO HAVE PATIENCE AND STRENGTH TO FINISH.....

BUNGALOW # 2

2010-03-21T17:31:00.001-07:00

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED TO MY LITTLE BUNGALOW HERE'S THE STORY...IT WAS A BIG MONEY PIT..MAJOR FOUNDATION PROBLEMS AND MAJOR PLUMBING PROBLEMS SO WE VENTURED ON AND HAVE NOW FOUND BUNGALOW # 2...ONLY 1/4 MONEY PIT...NOT QUITE THE CURB APPEAL OF THE FIRST ONE BUT IN A WHOLE LOT BETTER SHAPE AND IN A LITTLE NICER NEIGHBORHOOD...ROXANNE , IT IS STILL IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND PLEASE COME SEE THE BEFORE AND GIVE US INSPIRATION...WE ARE HOPING TO CLOSE ON THIS HOUSE THIS WEEK AND START WORK THIS WEEKEND.... DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER...LOVELY MINT GREEN SIDING ...WE WILL TRIM BUSHES ..LANDSCAPE ...TEAR OFF GLASSED IN FRONT PORCH AND OPEN FRONT PORCH BACK UP..THINKING OF BLACK SHUTTERS...MAYBE...NEW ROOF WILL BE DARK GRAY...ANYONE GOT ANY OTHER IDEAS ????

LIVING ROOM...HARDWOOD FLOORS IN GREAT SHAPE...CUTE BUILT IN CABINETS...NOT MUCH BUT PAINT THERE

KITCHEN...THE ONLY THING STAYING ARE THE CABINEST...ALL NEW APPPLIANCES COMING...BLACK GRANITE ON COUNTER TOPS...PAINT CABINETS..NEW TILE FLOORS...ALLEN WILL GET HIS TOOLS OUT AND BUILD A LITTLE MORE CABINETS AND STORAGE AND MATCH WHATS THERE...BEAD BOARD WAINSCOTTING ..HARDWARE ..LIGHTS THATS ABOUT IT...

HALL BATHROOM ...TEAR OUT ALL BUT THE TUB...WHITE TILE GOING AROUND THE TUB...PEDASTAL SINK AND NEW POTTY...BEAD BOARD WAINSCOTTING...BLACK AND WHITE TILE FLOOR...THATS ABOUT IT...WE HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US FOR ABOUT 8 WEEKS...RENTERS WILL BE MOVING IN THE HOUSE JUNE 1....OH MY CAN WE DO IT?? ARE WE CRAZY ...SO MAY BE ABSENT FROM THE BLOGGING WORLD FOR A WHILE...WILL TRY TO UPDATE ALONG THE WAY....

MY LITTLE BUNGALOW

2010-02-28T15:28:00.000-08:00

for several years Allen and I have been wanting to flip a house...buy a house cheap cheap cheap and fix it up and sell for more more more....well an opportunity came up and we finally bit the bullet...we made an offer...offer was accepted...pending the inspection... inspection is tomorrow...so everyone keep your fingers crossed it is not the money pit and that is why we got it cheap cheap cheap....so with that said most of you who know me know that I have had many sleepless nights dreaming about what I can do with my little bungalow....Roxanne , you will be excited to know it is in your neighborhood so you will have to do a little drive by and send your dreams my way...so here is a little preview of the exterior....just remember I have an excellent imagination and design sense so the best is yet to come....

Pillow Talk

2010-02-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

the last couple of weeks I have been really in the mood to be creative...I really want to remake my beds...I have posted in the past months I am tired of color and trying to neutralize my house...so last weekend I headed to
dallas and Mckinsey and I and her friend Holly and baby Kate hit the fabric stores....we shopped and shopped and got overwhelmed and more overwhelmed and finally bought a few pieces of fabric .... now the trick is to get the motivation to crank up the old sewing machine...so the pictures serve as my inspiration ...I am hoping to have a very productive weekend...whats your plan???

pictures borrowed from country living magazine and better homes and garden magazine...

SWEET DREAMS

2010-02-05T19:54:00.001-08:00

after a couple of hours of playing hard...the energizer bunny wore himself out...crashed ...burned...done...finished...thats it...out like a light...sweet dreams to my little buddy...

EUROPE ANYONE ?

2010-01-22T18:19:00.001-08:00

I came home from work today, tired and in need of a vacation...I dont know why...I have had several days off lately but for some reason I feel the need for a major change of scenery...so after pouring a glass of wine and opening a box of thin mint girl scout cookies..(my number one weakness) (1200 calories if I choose to eat the whole box at once.) I sat down at the computer and began reading my favorite blogs and than all of a sudden I ended up in England at the Rose Villa...hope you all enjoy it as much as me...and just in case anyone wants to go just let me know...my bags can be packed in a jiffy and we could be on our way...but for now I will be dreaming....please join me..

Isn't it just the perfect home away from home...never underestimate the power of your dreams...celebrate your dreams...it's a way of looking at what your life holds when you let your imagination flow...

sweet dreams

WHERE ARE YOUR EGGS

2010-01-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

AFTER CHRISTMAS I ALWAYS HAVE A HUGE URGE TO RE-ORGANIZE MY NEST...RE-EVALUATE MY LIFES' PURPOSE..AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES...ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL THEY ARE ALWAYS ON MY MIND...SO TODAY I AM GOING TO START PUTTING MY EGGS IN THE CORRECT BASKET...SO WHERE ARE YOUR EGGS ? Number 1 re-nesting project...organize my drawers..what a great way to use all those mis matched bowls and cups that I seem to buy at the flea market..

I knew there was a reason why I was buying them...
organize closets and get rid of everything not used or worn in the last year...Salvation Army here I come....

organize bathroom and linen closets....

and come up with some creative , functional storage ideas around the house...

so my challenge begins today...hoping to turn my "scrambled "eggs into creative orgainzation one egg at a time...

Hoping everyone has a blessed weekend.....

REFRESHING STYLE

2010-01-01T17:43:00.001-08:00

my new favorite style....I have had a lot of time lately to surf the web looking for new blogs, new decorating ideas , new recipes...etc..I am all of a sudden drawn to tone on tone rooms..or rooms that lack big bold color...I used to love red but all of a suddenit is not my favorite...I keep wanting everything to be ivory, tans, khaki, white, brown, maybe a little gray blue and greens in there...I came across this wonderful website that has tons of inspiration...I will be posting several pictures and ideas from them...as the pictures are incredibly better than I could ever take through my own lifes' journey....hope you enjoy the pictures as much as me.....
~pictures courtesy of notebook magazine~

MRS.WHITNEY RYAN CAVUOTI

2009-12-29T09:50:00.000-08:00

I will have to say that the best happening of 2009 and close to the best happening ever in my life was McKinsey's wedding May 16,2009..lots of hard planning turned out the most perfect night ever for her and her happily ever after...Whitney

GOOD GOLLY , MISS MOLLY

2009-12-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

DEAR MISS MOLLY,

THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY AUNT AMY CUPCAKES....THEY WERE SCRUMPDELICIOUS...HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS..AND MY UNCLE (mister B) REQUESTS A WHOLE CAKE IN EVERY FLAVOR !!!

CARSON

MORE BLING

2009-12-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

MY FAVORITE...SNOW PEOPLE

A LITTLE TABLE BLING

2009-11-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

hoping elves would come and place a little festivity around here...they never showed up ....so trying to make the old look new again I decorating my dining room with a little bling...more to come later...

OUT WITH THE OLD

2009-09-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

After much decision making and anticipation the day finally came....My 25 year old tired kitchen appliances finally found a new home...at the dump...no they were not broken ...they were kind of like the energizer bunny they kept on going and going and going...so after a couple of years of wanting and dreaming , Saturday the Lowes truck drove up and unloaded my new kitchen.....I had no idea how water and ice on the door of the refrigerator would change my life...so I am sharing the bling of my new stainless kitchen....

Neutral Territory

2009-08-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

Got up early this morning hoping to accomplish something creative....browsed through my collections of magazines that are stacked high on my coffee table...found a few pictures from Country Living and Victoria magazine... and came to the conclusion that I am tired of color.....so I am looking for ways to slowly change my ways... and actually if you read my last post I am tired of my kitchen too...so maybe I am tired of stuff in general...I am ready for cooler weather and pumpkins and fall and autumn moons...so I am hoping for motivation and success as I perform the task of editing my house today to look more neutral.

In the midst of our daily lives, we must find the juice to nourish our creative souls...

~sark~

PANIC IN HIS EYES

2009-08-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

I guess its a good thing I work full time...because it seems when I am home I look around and dream up all kinds of things I want to do around the house...the key words there are DREAM and WANT....I really dont need a thing....

so when Allen came home from work Saturday he walked in to the kitchen where the table was cluttered with magazine clippings, paint chips, fabric swatches....and with that not wanting to know the answer look , he asked "what is all this?" and I quickly responded just getting ideas and than those 5 dreaded words came out of my mouth... "I am tired of my Kitchen" ....ok 6 words but at this point it didnt matter how many words I used...he just shook his had and responded the same way he always does..."Ohhhhh K"..

So here are a few pictures form English Home and Country home magazines to share....to inspire...to tempt you...

A LITTLE WEEKEND PROJECT

2009-08-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago I was flipping through some european country inspired decorating books and came across some book shelves decorated with some quite weathered books...and I thought I think I can do that...so with a little bit of extra time this weekend I tried....

I went to my local good will store and bought 8 paperback books different thickness'es and sizes for the bargain price 8 for a dollar.....cant beat that...I brought them home and dunked them in the sink with my mornings leftover coffee... set them out to dry in the sun....tied them with twine and wa-lah!!! there I have vintage looking books for my shelves...I am hoping for more inspiration in the near future as my brain has finally rested from Mckinsey and Whitney's May 16 wedding . Fall is my favorite time of year and I can see it coming quickly...so hopefully with cooler days my creative juices will begin to flow more frequently....Hope all has a good week...

Blinded by Gods Presence

2009-06-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

This time last year my sister in law Melinda lost the fight with the monster that had invaded her body and turned in her earthly body for her everlasting body with her Savior Jesus Christ..kind of like a caterpillar sheds its cocoon and becomes new life as a butterfly....
Butterflies have always been just another flying object to me until last June 12...the day Melinda died...as we celebrated the life she lived so sweetly and passionately with the friends and family , we released several hundred butterflies to honor her and her new heavenly body...you see to me butterflies are her...whether they are flying around the flowers in my yard...on my stationary or in the wallpaper in my bathroom...they are just Melinda..pure, sweet graceful and one of Gods most beautiful gifts...we miss her everyday and what she stood for and what she meant to her family and friends...
Last Friday, which was the year anniversary of her death, her daughter Ali picked up her little boy up at daycare...as she was gathering up his backpack and other things and was walking out the door, the teacher handed her his artwork for the day...he had colored a butterfly.!!!!So dont even try to tell me her spirtit and Gods presence are not here with us every single day...sometimes our eyes are closed and sometimes we are blinded...open your eyes...

SNEAK PEAKS

2009-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

beautiful shoes

beautiful bride

beautiful bridal bouquet....to be continued May 17, 2009 no more sneak peaks til then...it is going to be a beautiful marriage celebration...I texted Whitney the day of the bridal portait and told him just in case he was wondering he is going to have a beautiful bride ....and his response back to me was..."well I wasnt wondering, i knew that a long time ago" how sweet is that!!!!!

HOPPY EASTER

2009-04-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

just a little Easter cheer from me to you....have a blessed day and celebrate life !!!!!

CHAMPAGNE, CUPCAKES AND CHOCOLATE

2009-04-10T08:23:00.001-07:00

last weekend all of my best girlfriends totally went out of their way and hosted an unbelievable dream bridal shower for Mckinsey...I mean really..what more could a girl want besides champagne, cupcakes and chocolate...of course there is one more thing ....diamonds ...but she allready has that and is eagerly waiting her big day to get here....May 16 is getting closer by the minute....

beautiful table setting done by the girls....

Beautifully decorating and I must say tasty as well cupcakes

flower arrangement straight from mollys creative brain and yard....you know you have a friend when she picks a hydrangea out of her yard to put in the bouquet...for those of you who dont live around here it is a miracle if we can get one bloom off of a hydrangea plant here in texas so for her to pick one out of her yard is super special...you wont understand this if you are not a gardner!!!!

favors for the hostesses with the mostesses !!!!! thank you girls for making her day a dream..it was perfect .....

A LITTLE ROADTRIP

2009-03-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

a couple of weeks ago my much older sister Paula and much older brother Jeff and I took a little road trip...not a quick trip...a nine hour road trip ...all in one day.. off to Alburquerque to celebrate with an aunt and uncle on their 50th wedding anniversary.....we left bright and early ..of course I was up most of the night before, reveling in the excitement of this little adventure ( really I was up because the wind was blowing 40 mph outside my bedroom window ) so when my doorbell finally rang and it was time to go I sang my brother a little tune:(sing to the tune of leaving on a jet plane)

OH MY BAGS ARE PACKED I'M READY TO GO
I'M STANDING HERE OUTSIDE MY DOOR
HOPING TO NOT GET BLOWN AWAY.
I'VE BEEN UP SINCE FOUR IN ANTICIPATION
OF THE LITTLE JOURNEY WITH MY FAVORITE REALATIONS.......

at that moment I got the stare and shaking of his head like oh boy ... what have I gotten myself into....this is gonna be a long weekend....

being the baby, literally and literally, of course I called "shotgun" and got to ride in the front seat the whole time...I think I made an excellent co-pilot as part of my job was to try to figure out how to get "mrs. Dash" the GPS system person to shut up....as Jeff would take his known shortcuts she voiced her disapproval quite loudly...we had lots of fun, ate at lots of hole in the wall mexican food restaurants..and spent lots of time with family, seeing the sights of Alburquerque and sharing time together.....

eye candy

2009-01-28T17:17:00.001-08:00

Shabby Chic
Originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red

PICTURES TO INSPIRE,,,VALENTINES IS COMING UP...TIME TO GET SOME CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING

pink bling

2009-01-27T16:31:00.001-08:00

Jewelled Heart! Fun to create!!
Originally uploaded by vintagedragonfly

O.K who knows how to post more than one flickr picture in one post...help...

MIRACLES

2009-01-27T08:40:00.000-08:00

I believe in Manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing; kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles... ~ Audrey Hepburn

MY OWN WINTER WONDERLAND

2008-12-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

Just sharing a little holiday bling....the nice thing about being a snowman person is after Christmas you dont feel the rush to take it all down !!! as long as its winter I am safe to have a little snowman village in my dining room...Christmas came and went just like it always does...the hustle and bustle are all over now except now there is a new hustle and bustle still swarming in my head...in the form of wedding bells chaos...now that Christmas is over , I feel like I am on a downhill sled without brakes....so for all you experienced wedding planners send your thoughts and prayers my way.. May 16 is going to be here before we know it !!!

Wishing everyone a very happy new year filled with blessings and baubles !!!!!

MORE SAVING GRACE

2008-12-04T16:31:00.001-08:00

Below are some more pictures of my friend Sharon's house...sorry the pictures are divided into two postings because I cannot figure out how to download more than 5 pictures to one post at a time...so for you blogging buddies...HELP !!!!!

MY SAVING GRACE

2008-12-04T16:06:00.001-08:00

All it takes is once a month, once a month to meet with my creative , soulful friends to get me re energized....today was our December meeting of SPQOH ( society for the preservation of quaint old homes) and I always come away from the meeting with a smile and a little dance in my step... we meet once a month and share stories , ideas, smiles and tears, fears or whatever else we want to.. it is a unique group of women of all ages who have been blessed with special talents...every month I learn something new or meet a new friend or become reaquainted with an old one.. it is truly my creative saving grace....today we met at my friend Sharon's house...she is a nurse and works at the hospital with me...she is incredibly talented and this is the second old home her and her husband Walt have restored...

THE JOY'S OF SLEEPING WITH A YOUNGER MAN

2008-10-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

gotcha ya thinking .....just my little buddy...last friday at work we were all talking about what we were doing this weekend and my response was "Allen's out of town till sunday so I'm gonna be sleeping with a younger man..." and everyone gasped!!!...and so I did...Carson came to stay with me on saturday night...my car is even now equipped with a car seat...professionally put in by the local fire department certified safe and all...because we have places to go and people to see....

he is all over the house....faster than greased lightning....hmmmm he says , I know there is something in here I need....

just as sweet as he can be ...perfect in every way...I know his Mimi would be most proud of him ....

FEELS LIKE FALL

2008-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was just about like fall as fall can be...cool temperatures...overcast skies...lazy days....so I decided to do a little fall decorating....fall is probably my favorite season...I like the warm colors... leaves falling from the trees...pumpkins...scarecrows...ghosts and goblins...and hot apple cider...drinking hot apple cider is not quite the same in Abilene, Texas as it is in Nashua, New Hampshire but this is where I happen to be now...so it works...
A few trinkets going up my staircase.....
a few pumpkins.....

and my St. Francis to watch over things... Hoping fall brings joy to all of you like it does me....have a blessed week.....

THIS AND THAT

2008-10-12T14:40:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I once again went to canton to the flea market...I think its an addiction...I dont know whether its the thrill of the hunt of the perfect treasuure or just good times spent with friends....its like a soul revival...so I captured a few pictures to document my day....the weather was great as were the treasures..

I actually came home with these skeleton friends....couldnt resist...

MORE HAPPENINGS

2008-09-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

This last week we had our Quaint Old Homes meeting...not to be confused with Quaint old Ladies!!!! but most of us are quaint, creative, love to go junkin and flea marketing...there are about 50 of us who meet once a month in one of our homes...all of us live in and love old homes and are forever working on a project or two....this last week it was at my friends, Kayes home..which is a darling cottage with a wonderful cottage backyard....I am dreaming of waking up and finding my backyard as great as hers is ...everything she touches grows...and grows...and grows...next month we are meeting at my friend Jana's house and since we cant go to round top we are bringing roundtop to abilene....we are setting up booths and selling our junk and wares and eating flea market food...sounds tasty....cant wait... table decorations
more table decorations

heavenly brownies...you can see most are gone
so until later....have a good week and happy fall!!!!!

HAPPENINGS

2008-09-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago my dad celebrated his 80th birthday...it is hard to believe he is 80 , not that its old or anything...but he just doesnt seem like he should be 80....he doesnt act like he is 80 ....maybe because of the geriatric ballet class (as he calls it ) he goes to at the health club....keep up the good work and thanks for all you have done....

My brother and his grandson Carson at my dads 80th birthday dinner...He is our little ray of sunshine...he is a very happy baby and it makes my day and fills my heart with joy when he comes to visit me...My parents at my dads birthday dinner....

Well, I dont know whether I can sleep because I got back on my hormones or because the wedding frenzy has finally left my creative brain!! but whatever it is I am thankful...it has been a month since Mckinsey got engaged and the anal and obsessive , creative person I am thought I had to get the big event all worked out immediately down to every little detail....I must say we have done a whole lot, got the date, church, reception site, florist, cake baker, photographer, compiled a guest list, sent out save a dates.. and a planner to help me on the day of the wedding so now I can finally rest...we are going wedding gown shopping in October and besides the invitations the big decisions are made...that is until the spring 2009 Brides magazines come out...no we are not changing our minds we like what we have done ...that is our story and we are sticking to it!!!

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

2008-08-10T14:45:00.001-07:00

Its official!!!! the wedding is on...proposal done... ring on finger...now all we need is the date, time , place, prayers for patience and a credit card !!! Mckinsey's boyfriend proposed to her Friday night and all is good..they came in this weekend to share their joy....and their story begins....so all you creative friends with wedding experience or just creative brains I will be calling on you and your expertise to help us make all her dreams come true...

ON VACATION

2008-08-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Last week I took off work and took a much needed vacation....not really intending on going anywhere but my own home....My true intentions were to work nonstop on the bedroom we have been remodeling...trying to get it done so we can venture on to other projects...did I say work nonstop while on VACATION!!!! no way ...changed my mind ....not gonna do that...so while drinking my coffee tuesday morning my friend Gail called and when she realized I was off all week she insisted I get in the car right then and come see her and go to Canton...she didnt have to twist my arm much....so off I went...like I have said before going to Gails is like going on vacation...she has a wonderful cottage home that welcomes you the minute you walk in the front door..most everything in her home is from canton or the roundtop flea markets...she is very creative and can make anything look like a million dollars.
chest 50.00 she painted white!!!! looks like something right out of Rachel Ashwells books...
So off to canton we went...I will post my treasures later and boy did I find treasures...blessings to everyone and have a happy week!!!

COME TO THE TABLE

2008-07-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

Come to the table ...all who are able..come to the table of the Lord...Bow down before Him... all who adore Him...Bow down and worship the Lord....

~~~Steve Massey

Wishing you a blessed and fruitful day!!!

(pictures courtesy of comfortable country by enrica stabile)

WHAT WOULD YOU DO

2008-07-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

My daughter asked me one day if in my lifetime so far do I have any regrets....I quickly answered no ( which is usually my immediate response) and then after I thought about it for a while my answer was still no...are there things I wished I would have done and things I wished I would have said and people I wished I would have spent more time with....yes ...but no regets....
so why when I see this quote does it make me stop and think.....What would you do if you knew you would not fail?...Is there more to my life than what I am doing?... am I too secure and content to take chances ....probably so!!! Is contentment a good thing or the enemy...do you stop striving to be your best and do your best when you are content?...so to my blogging friends out there are you doing what you would do if you knew you would not fail?....

ONLY GOD KNOWS

2008-06-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

Just trying to get out of the dumps with the passing of my sister-in-law Melinda last week. Thanks to all of you who brought me flowers and sent me cards.....The flowers at the top of my blog page are just a sampling of the incredible flowers at her service...I took it upon myself to dismantle a few of the decorations before I left the service...I know she would have wanted me to have them....I will work on something creative to do with them in her honor...

Sometimes I think the best thing anyone can say is simply I am sorry...because we know she is in a better place , but we would still like her here with us... we know she is no longer suffering but why did she even have to suffer at all.....we know God never gives us more than we can handle....but our hearts are still broken...her home here on earth is still empty....we know that God has a purpose for this that we will understand later....

My last post was about attitudes and opportunities...there has got to be an opportunity here somewhere in all this sadness....I will find it ...

Only God knows...

ATTITUDE AND OPPORTUNITIES

2008-06-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

This past week has not been the best...we had to put our 15 year old sheltie "Clementine" to sleep ....she had really gone down hill for the past several months and we finally realized that her existence here was simply just that, an existence ...no life at all of any quality in her sweet little body....
and once again the big , bad , ugly monster inside Melinda 's body is slowly sucking the life out of her....NOT FAIR...NOT FAIR...NOT FAIR....
several years ago I was whining to my mom Judy about something that wasn"t going right or something that was happening to me that I was frustrated about and the eternal optimist she is quickly told me that those were opportunities....so when things aren't always going exactly my way I have to figure out exactly what lesson someone is trying to teach me and turn it into an opportunity...we all have opportunities everyday to change an attitude...make someone feel important...to share a smile....to help someone who is a whole lot less fortunate than us...so with that said I am working on my attitude this week....trying to make my way through the fog of unfairness....and change the world one upside down frown at a time!!!!!

CLUTTER, CREATIVITY AND CHAOS

2008-05-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

Photos are borrowed (can I legally do that ) from the book WHERE WOMEN CREATE. Surely the copyright nazi has something better to do then scout out blogs....

About a month ago , I mentioned to my friend Jana that I had been wanting the book WHERE WOMEN CREATE by Jo Packham. Lo and behold the next day I found it at my front door. A much appreciated surprise at the end of a long work day. She has graciously let me borrow it to get inspired.....and that I did!!!!! All you inspiring women out there if you haven't gotten a chance to read ( I mean look at the pictures ) do we really ever read books like these or go straight to the pictures,than it is a must....if your creativity is on a permanent vacation like mine has been lately, it will take you to your very own creative paradise.... so since Allen has a huge golf tournament this weekend and is working 12 hour days I have had a lot of alone time...so I decided to cleanout, de clutter and re vamp my guest bedroom into my very own inspirational creative space...starting with the closet....I think I have opened the door to this closet at least 20 times in the last month to get motivated only to quickly close it before I got attacked with what lurks inside....
lots of boxes went to the trash, need I say the dumpster is full to the brim..... some of the boxes are going to goodwill .....some of the boxes in the closet I think have been in there since we moved into this house 6 years ago...Oh my Oh my!!!!! It was kind of like Christmas opening boxes that I had no idea what was in them and hoping it was something I couldn't live without......but most I could definitely live without...
and then there's the dreaded sewing space....who could even begin to be inspired or creative with a mess of a table like this....so I am dreaming of a space like the one at the top of the page....if I knew how to put those pictures at the bottom of my post I would but.....I guess you just have to see the after before the before...is that possible? so girls , lets quit just sitting around and use our talents the way we are meant to....

when I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, " I used everything You gave me."

---erma bombeck

THE DAY MY WORLD CHANGED

2008-05-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Twenty seven years ago today I entered a hospital as a nieve, innocent young girl. The nurse came into my room and asked me to take off all my clothes and put this gown on and I thought "I dont think I want to do that", but being the compliant person I am, I did as I was told....and 6 hours later my world was forever changed...in came Quintan Luke, the new love of my life...he was much anticipated, a little slow in coming, two weeks overdue, but nevertheless he was all mine...a blessing that God intrusted in me to love and take care of forever and always...so I hope you have a wonderfully Happy Birthday and I dont know how you could be 27 when I am just 29 myself!!! I love you....

Again, eleven years ago today, I entered a hospital , this time with my husband Allen...after 30 years of diabetes destroying his body, he was given the gift of life.....the chance to live life to the fullest once again....and after about 6 hours of successful surgery he had a brand new kidney and pancreas that functioned as if they were his own.....no more insulin, no more daily shots, no more special diet, just a normal functioning body...of course he would disagree and say that there is nothing normal about him and I would say "who likes normal?" so with that said....

Let it be known that I have been twice blessed on this day, the first time with the birth of my baby boy, and the second time by God giving Allen the gift of new life... I will be forever indebted to God for allowing these two men to be a part of my life....without them I would not be who I am today...would not have had the ups and downs that have made me stronger...would not have the memories that make me grateful....and would not be the complete person I am today....so to both my men I hope you have the happiest day ever!!!

MY TREASURE CHEST

2008-05-17T13:07:00.001-07:00

Your possessions express your personality. Few things, including clothes are more personal than your cherished ornaments. The pioneer women, who crossed a wild continent clutching their treasures to them, knew that a clock, a picture , a pair of candlesticks, meant HOME even in the wilderness.--Good Houskeeping, August 1952

I believe that our treasures can offer true insight into our personalities. I believe that when we surround ourselves with treasures that speak to our souls it lets other people understand who we are. Most of my treasures tell a story , whether it's the search, or the day I found it, or who I was with , or the vacation, or whether it was a gift from someone special....they are all memories that fill the treasure chest of my soul!!! Have a happy weekend....

SOUL THERAPY

2008-05-10T05:46:00.001-07:00

last weekend my sister and I headed out for a little soul therapy....we hit an estate sale and a couple of garage sales and then decided we needed more flowers.....can you ever have too many flowers.....dont't think so!!!! so off we went .....we wanted to hit a few places around our area instead of the typical Abilene garden centers.... Our first stop was Reeds Farm Store in Clyde , Texas...where they have an abundance of fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables, a few flats of flowers and loads and loads of firewood.....dont need that right now but the vegetables and flowers were a big hit. Paula got a huge bag of already shelled black eye peas and snapped green beans and a few flowers....I was holding out for Hardwick nursery in Cross Plains , Texas so off we went......down the road the wildflowers still out.....
here we are at Hardwick nursery in Cross Plains, Texas. Their main location is in Rising Star, Texas which is another 15 miles down the road....but as you can see they have more than enough beauty for lots of soul therapy..
More goodies at Hardwick Nursery in Cross Plains and then across the street...
we found the Taste of Texas,another flower, herb , vegetable store (by the way I love the old scale)...we bought more flowers and lots of great smelling herbs....then we headed home to plant, plant , plant and to stare!!!!

plant a seed. Plan a garden. Poke a hole in the ground, stick a seed in , and watch it grow. It doesnt matter if you have a tiny pot or a big old fashioned garden, watching things grow is the best therapy for the soul. It reminds us that there are forces deeper and stronger than us...and for Him I am soulfully thankful....

hoping everyone a blessed weekend. Go plant a seed!!!!!

KNOWING WHEN TO LISTEN

2008-05-02T17:52:00.001-07:00

This has been a strange 24 hours. I had a couple of days off and decided to head to Canton Texas to the flea market. ...so I left thursday afternoon and headed to my friend Gails' house. She has a great house near Flower Mound and opens it to me whenever I want to come and stay. She even cooks me breakfast in the toaster when we remember to turn the toaster on......anyway I got to dallas at about 7:30 last night and met her at Jasons deli for a salad and headed to her house. We stayed up late talking and decided I probably needed to get ahead of the traffic in the morning because traffic stresses me out...and even more , rain and traffic are double whammys. ....so off to bed we went....5 am came early with a bolt of lightning and a heavy downpour and I layed there in bed and thought great. ...so with the high tech computer world we live in I checked the computer and found it to be a small but strong line of storms heading east exactly where I was going.....oh great again!!!!so I got up got dressed and was packing my things up , reached into my purse to get my glasses and NO WALLET.!!!!another great....how could this be happening, traffic, rain, no wallet.....we searched high and low and no wallet.....so we drank more coffee and decided the last place I had it was at Jasons deli....so we called....not open yet.....called and finally got an answer...NO WALLETT!!!
OK maybe I forgot my listening ears, but was someone trying to tell me I shouldn't be going to Canton...surely not....so we drank more coffee....and visited and watched the news and weather....then we heard "tornado near Canton trade days" oh my, this couldnt be....I would have been smack dab in the middle!!!...so I sat and listened and decided I needed to come home...and that I did....with gas money from Gail I was on my way....do you know how strange it is to be on the road by yourself and NO WALLET , no money, no credit card , no drivers license...all the way home I made up stories what I was gonna tell the Highway patrolman when he pulled me over. .... what I was going to tell the bank when someone stole my identity......but thankfully that did not happen.....so do you ever think God is trying to tell you something and we are to distracted to even take the hint???...I THINK SO.... I got home safely one more time and am thankful for that....I cancelled all my credit cards....and when I got home I called Jasons deli one more time...the nightime manager was now on duty and said yes maam we DO HAVE YOUR WALLET....I tucked it in the safe so no one could find it....apparently so!!!!!

WHAT MORE COULD A GIRL ASK FOR

2008-04-26T19:21:00.001-07:00

I always said I wanted a volvo, and for the last two weeks this is what has been waiting for me when I came home from work. Not quite the volvo I had in mind but never the less a volvo. The city has been re-laying water lines on my street and have decided to use my driveway for their over night parking place!!! Oh well, life goes on....and I must say that besides the fact that I have this huge tonka toy parked beside my house, my rose garden looks quite lovely.....I think I must have a thousand blooms..... and yes I have been going out and staring at them every chance I get..and cutting them and bringing them inside to enjoy .... Ever since I was a little girl I wanted a rose garden and a house with a white picket fence, well Allen planted me a rose garden and built me a white picket fence....what more could a girl ask for??
as I have been taking pictures lately , a whole lot more than I ever have so that I have something interesting to blog about, I feel like my camera is a window to my soul.....all the things I take pictures of are the things I love, that inspire me, and that make me soulfully joyous!!!

BEING THANKFUL

2008-04-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went to visit Mckinsey and her “boyfriend” Whitney. I put boyfriend in parenthesis because I usually get in trouble for calling him her friend,so I wanted to make it clear that he is her “boyfriend”……anyway I went to Dallas to see them and see Mckinsey in action at her new job. She is going to be teaching at a preschool in Frisco, Texas and is most excited about it…….it is a brand new multi million dollar facility called Crème De La Crème if that tells you something about how nice it is…….since she was working all day I drug Whitney with me on an all day shopping adventure…….first we went to Sam Moon Home, then Sam Moon luggage and then Sam Moon jewelry …..he was not too impressed nor was I, and probably the most exciting thing there was that we feared for our lives in taking the last know parking place!!!! ….next we went to Sample House , where if I owned my own store that is exactly what it would be like……lots of good stuff!!! Then on to other girly stores……( I had no idea as I was dragging him all over that he would have probably rather been at home watching some basketball???? Playoff???or something like that.) He was quite the trooper as always , and I appreciate that.
On Sunday we went to IKEA . If you have never been you need to go. It is quite an experience, lots and lots of good stuff. Mckinsey bought her a bed frame, and some other trinkets. Shopping has become a new experience for us. It’s kind of nice to go shopping and all she wants is my opinion and not my credit card. I never dreamed that day would come!!
Then I started home….on my long quiet drive home I began to think of all the things I was thankful for…
To God for….. The sun which lit my way….. for the wildflowers along my way , for my eyes that allow me to see all His beauty around us….. for my eyes that allow me to see when the car in front of me slams on his brakes for no apparent reason….. The air we breathe, the cows in the pasture… the Starbucks at Exit 343 …..And I could go on and on….
To Allen who pays all my bills especially my gasoline bill so I can go see the kids whenever I want to….. And for not caring that all I left him to eat was Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…..
To Whitney for being the shopping trooper and for loving Mckinsey and for calling her “Babe” …..
To Mckinsey for growing up and becoming who she is and for calling me Sunday night to see if I had made it home yet, and for telling me thank you for coming and she had fun…..
And then last but not least back to God for getting me there and back home one more time…..
Always giving thanks to the Father for everything.--Ephesians 5:20

HOME IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE

2008-04-16T17:26:00.001-07:00

My home is my haven, no matter where I go, home is always the best place to be. There is nothing like a long, hard day and walking up my sidewalk and having my flowers greet me. They are standing all tall and proud, just screaming "look at me and what I did today". Actually I am known for just wandering around in my yard staring at my flowers. I think my neighbors wonder what I am up to. But really I am just staring. My kids used to ask me why I stared at my flowers and I told them they make my heart smile... and someday they would stare too...... Then once inside is my "sitting spot". I start my day here early in the morning with my cup of coffee and end my day here reflecting over my day..... I can sit and look out my window ...... open my screen door to hear children playing..... listen to the birds singing..... enjoying the smell of my neighbors fresh cut grass and just be...... This is my time when I can do and think whatever I want.... It is my safe haven and I am grateful to have this little "sitting spot" to come home to..... I know I am forever saying I am grateful and thankful and blessed and I only say that because I truly am!!! ..... Home is my refuge where I can gain strength for whatever may come my way....Its is truly my safe haven and where I can just be me..
My prayer today is for Melinda to get to go home, to her refuge, to her own safe haven, to the smell of her own sheets and the softness of her own bed....so that she can hear the birds singing, dogs barking, Jeff snoring(did I say that) or whatever makes her heart smile. This is my prayer.....

I am home with the Lord by my side..... Safe at home in His love to abide..... I will praise your name precious Lord.....Oh Lord please be my guide.

HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET

2008-04-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Realizing that my youngest child is 23 now, I have been out of the baby mode for quite sometime now. Yesterday was the highlight of my weekend, getting to keep my great nephew Carson. He is 3 1/2 months old. The 3 hours went by way to fast. I told his mom when she came to get him "dont you need to go somewhere else" ? and she quickly said that he could come back and so I am going to hold her to it. You know , how quickly we forget:

When they smile , they smile with their whole being from their eyes down to their toes. Its like they are about to spontaneously combust from the inside out ! How sweet it that.

You forget how intent they are when they are drinking their bottle. They are very serious and looking right at you studying every movement of your face and when you smile at them they stop sucking and smile so big milk drools down their cheek to the back of their neck ! How sweet is that .

You forget how good their skin and head smells. Something indescribable only a mother would know about. , and for some strange reason even baby formula smells good.!! How sweet is that.

You forget that they think you are the most wonderful thing ever. That all you have to do is make funny faces, talk in a goofy voice, tickle their toes, kiss their cheek, pat their bottom, rock them , love them. You realize that you are their world. How sweet is that.

You realize that they are one of Gods' greatest gifts... He is a little ray of sunshine .....and for that we will be forever grateful.

Hoping everyone has a blessed week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELINDA

2008-04-12T11:32:00.001-07:00

Today my sister in-law Melinda celebrates her 52nd birthday. My brother and her may kill me for posting this picture, but I did it anyway.!! For the last two and a half years she has been fiercefully fighting the fight of her life. The "monster" that invaded her body rears its ugly head on a daily basis, but faithfully Melinda fights back every second of every day. She is the strongest person I know, and I am proud of her. So Melinda this is hoping you have a great day, and remember we will always love you.
"Instead of telling God how big our mountains are, we will tell the mountains how big our God is."

Joy, Joy, Joy

2008-04-11T10:32:00.001-07:00

Joy is not in things: it is in us. Hoping everyone has a beautifully Blessed and Joyous weekend. I get to keep my great nephew Carson on Saturday and for that I am Blessed and Joyous!!!! Provided we don't have a big West Texas Dust storm, I will be out in the neighborhood showing him off!!!

Time for a facelift

2008-04-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

Five years ago our youngest child left for college. We have finally accepted that she will probably never come home to live again, we have decided to take over her room. It is a great attic space converted to a bedroom with lots of nooks , crannys and angled ceilings. We have painted the walls robins'egg blue ( which happens to be my new favorite color ) .
So this weekend we spent ripping out the old carpet and pad and the millions of nails to prepare the floors for new hardwood floors. I think this is going to be my new favorite room. Its funny I say that after every room gets a facelift!!!

By Sunday night we had layed 5 rows. We only have a zillion more rows to do. Progress is usually slow around our home but we eventually ( or maybe I should say Allen ) gets it done. We will keep you posted . I plan to use a bunch of white chippy old furniture and some ideas that are swarming in my head from Round Top. Hope you have a great week.

DONE

2008-04-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Magnolia Pearl is another famous must see in Round Top/ Marburger Farms. She also has been written up in just about every magazine around. She lives in Bandera , Texas. Robyn has a brother that is a preacher in my hometown., so I had a little in with her. She graciously agreed to have her picture taken with me. Thanks Robyn. Oh, and by the way she makes wonderful clothing and bags out of vintage lace and trims. There were ladies in her booth buying everything in sight and it was a sight to see!!!!
My friends and I beside a wonderful vintage truck filled with flowers. Had a great time girls. See you in October.
These are my baubles I came home with. They may not seem like much to you, but they just fill my soul. Did I mention how tired I am... yes I had a great time but my mind is mentally exhausted..... so much to look at and so little time. I was wondering , Do you think the we will ever run out of all these vintage things?? something to ponder..... I certainly hope not. By the end of the third day all I could say was " I am DONE"....that is until October!!!!

Round Top Architecture

2008-04-02T12:13:00.001-07:00

Architecture?? Probably not like my architect dad thinks of architecture but its architecture to me. It is all in the eye of the beholder!!!! He tried to teach me ,at a very early age, the different styles of architecture, as most of my young life was spent driving around looking at buildings, his or somebody elses....so I guess thats why I come by it naturally. thanks dad. I do appreciate all kinds of architecture. I really do!! and I am proud of you making our hometown a prettier place.

Food for the Soul

2008-04-02T12:01:00.001-07:00

They say you cant go to Round Top without going to eat at Royers Cafe. It has been written up in about every magazine around, so we decided to experience it firsthand. I mean a girls gotta eat, right?? or so we think. That we did , right down to the cherry pie!!!! It met all of our expectations and more!! We will be back.

Flea Market Finds

2008-04-02T11:20:00.001-07:00

Just a little eye candy for the soul!

A Little Bit of Heaven

2008-04-02T10:35:00.001-07:00

After years of dreaming of going to Round Top Texas to the flea market, I finally did it.!!! I loaded up in my new slugbug convertible (which by the way was a well deserved 50th birthday present to myself ) and headed down the road. Did I mention it was "mellow yellow ", love the name. It kind of just sets the mood back in the 1970's. Enough about that. It was a long 5 hour drive, but the wildflowers were out in full bloom and were a sight to behold . They blanketed the pastures along with a few longhorn cows and made the drive a little more relaxing. Thank you God for embellishing our landscapes everyday. I met up with some friends from Dallas and off we went to see what treasures we could find. And boy did we find treasures. I had always heard this event was huge but had no idea how big until we got there. There are miles and miles and miles of white tents out in the middle of fields filled with treasures and trinkets galore.
Our first stop was Zapp hall. I had been invited to meet some other bloggers there. I started not to go because I could not wait to shop but a little voice inside me told me I should go. I am so glad I did. I ran into a group of very creative hometown girls, Jana, Cindy and Roxanne. And then there I saw Heather Bullard. I was so excited, I read her blog everyday and have ordered things from her online store, but is was so exciting to meet her in person. She is truly one of the most passionate women I have ever met, and it was truly an honor to have met her. She is one of those women who you feel like you have know forever !!

This is Roxanne, one of the hometown girls. Another one of those very passionate women. She has just started a blog too, and if I knew how to link it here I would but that is high on the technical ladder and better not try. I would probably wipe everything out. Sorry Roxanne! These are all the fellow bloggers that met at Zapp Hall. Do we know which camera to look at??!! It was by far the highlight of my trip. Women not in blog land just wouldn't understand.
This is Jana , another passionate hometown girl , along with Myself and Heather Bullard. Jana , cant wait to see what treasures you brought home !!

2008-03-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

After a long hard work week, I came home and decided I would try to creatively embellish my blog. I was able to get the background changed, and when I tried to load pictures on the post, well that was a different story!!! I was sucessful for a moment and than lost it with a touch of a button.!! I am so not technical. All I want to do is have fun and have a cool blog. Is that too much to ask for??? I will keep trying.

I hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

I am off to Round Top , Texas to the flea market, hoping the weather will be nice. I cant wait to take pictures of my adventure and hopefully post my treasures next week. Until then.........

2008-03-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt to post to my blog. Up until 3 months ago I did not even know blogging existed. Over the last couple of months I have been inspired beyond belief from women all over the world whom I don't even know and will probably never meet in person. I have been truly blessed by their stories, sweet and sad, and am looking forward to this new journey into blogging. I hope I can inspire you the way these women have inspired me.

As soon as I can figure out how to add pictures and embellish my blog spot I will do so. This is going to be a very big learning experience . A computer tech I am not!!! So be patient with me and check my progress in a couple of days