Southern Shabby Chic

Resurrection Cookies/Easter Story Cookies

2010-04-01T10:51:00.010-05:00

Hello my friends!!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

It is absoulutely gorgeous today!!!

Sunny, in the 80's!!!

Alabama the Beautiful at it's finest!!!

I'm so super excited today to tell you that I was informed last night that I have won something!!!

My first Blog contest win!!!!

YAY!!!!!!

And the best part is that I know its a

'God Thang'!!!

Do you remember a couple weeks ago when I lost

my new French Decorating Book because I

left it on the back of my Car?

Well, now I'm getting a new book!

I won The New Book from Country Living!

Country Color Combinations

from Stephanie over at

The Whispering Creek House!!!!

I'm so super excited!

Make sure you visit her over there!

She has an absolutely wonderful site

and you will want to follow her I'm sure!!!

Thanks again Stephanie!

I'll be like a little kid now,

checking to see if I've got it yet!!!

Are you all ready for Easter?

I sure am but above all,

I'm so Thankful and Humbled by

the gift that we celebrate on Easter.

The gift of Eternal Life through

the Death and Resurrection

of Jesus Christ!

I wanted to share with you

a recipe I just love

and can't wait to try out with

my little ones on Saturday night.

I have seen several different versions

of this recipe,

But this one from

Traci at Beneath my Heart

is the best in my opinion.

These are her words and photos.

I wanted to share them with you exactly

so nothing would be missed.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesdays with Wanda
My mom was the first food editor for Home Life Magazine from 1993-96.

Every month, she would submit an article for the magazine. One of her favorite recipes that she submitted was “Easter Story Cookies”.

If you “google” Easter Story Cookies”, there will be several links to other websites that mention Mom’s article as their source for this recipe.

Some people refer to these as Resurrection Cookies. They are a great activity to do with small children to help them understand and remember the true meaning of Easter.

You will need:

Your family Bible
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole pecans
1 zip-lock baggie

1 wooden spoon
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
tape

Preheat oven to 300° F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they put a royal purple robe on him. "Hail! King of the Jews!" they mocked, and they hit him with their fists.

John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know we belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him

Psalm 34:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3.

“Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

John 16:20-22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

Matthew 28:1-9

What a fun and delicious way to celebrate the Easter Story!

***********************************************************
So....

What ya think?

Are we gonna take the time out with our kiddo's to make these?

I am.

I intended to last year, but didn't.

Yet, we did manage to get Easter Eggs dyed.

HMMMMMM......

And I want my kids to have the Easter Story Fresh in their minds before they wake up

Before the 'Easter Bunny'.

And which is more important?!!!!

You got it.

I really wanna say a huge THANK YOU to Traci over at http://beneathmyheart.blogspot.com/.

And don't forget to check out her

Wednesdays with Wanda posts!

I'm going to try to make Wanda's recipe for

Poppy Seed Bread

to Bless some people in the next couple days.

It looks delish!!!!

Thank you so much for reading my friends

And I hope you have a wonderful Easter Weekend!!!

God Bless You All!!!

Why?

2010-03-26T15:29:00.002-05:00

Why would anybody sale something like this?

I have no idea.

But their loss,
is most definitely my gain!

I found these today at a yard sale for $1. $1!!!!!!!

I love them!

I have some that are not on a stand at home.

I bought them at an estate sale years ago

and I have another pair that's made into a lamp

(why, I have no idea).

I just had to show you what someone would sell for a dollar.

I guess there are people who are not as sentimental as I am.

What about you?

Did your mother have your baby shoes bronzed?

Or are you more like me,

Lucky to have a couple of my baby pics at all!!!?????

Maybe that's why I'm so sentimental!

Hmmmmmm.....

Mark Twain

2010-03-25T11:20:00.003-05:00

A few years ago,

When I had some serious decisions to make,

but I was so scared that I would make a terrible mistake,

one of my friends quoted an elderly friend of his as saying,

'When your old, and you look back at your life,

you don't regret the things you tried and failed,

you regret the things you never tried.'

So I went for it.

Times have not always been easy.

As a matter of fact,

there have probably been more hard times than easy times,

but I've always went back to that statement.

And I don't regret the decision I made

to go for it!

Well today, I came across a quote that was so similar to that quote.

But this one was attributed to Mark Twain....

'Twenty years from now

you will be more disappointed

buy the things you didn't do

than by the ones you did.

So throw off the bowlines,

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Wow, I love that.

What Every Woman Should Know

2010-03-18T10:50:00.004-05:00

I came across this piece yesterday,

'30 things Every Woman should know and have before she's 30'.

And while I've read version's of it before,

several things in it really clicked this time.

It could be, that the older

(and wiser)

I get,

the more relevance it has to my life.

I looked it up

and it was originally written

in 1997

by Pamela Redmond Satran

in the Glamour Magazine.

I read her original,

And I changed the title to

'What Every Woman Should Know and Have'

Because all of us didn't know

and have these things by 30.

Some of us are still working on them.

Then I added a few lines from others

I've read,

and then I added a couple of my own.

I'd love for you to comment and leave some

of your words of wisdom that

you've learned along the way as well.

Or even some that we're all still striving for.

As I age and mature

I'm finding out that life is SO far from perfect!

But that it is a wonderful life to live!

So here it is, Enjoy....

What Every Woman should have:

1.One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2.A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3.Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4.A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5.A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6.A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7.The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.

8.An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.

9.A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10.One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11.A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.

12.Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13.The belief that you deserve it.

14.A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15.A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

16. Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to.

16.A feeling of control over her destiny.

17. A good friend that will help you move and a best friend that will help you move a body!

What Every Woman Should Know:

1.How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2.How you feel about having kids, and if you've already raised your kids, the peace in knowing
you did the best you could.

3.How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4.When to try harder and when to walk away.

5.How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6.The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.

7.How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8.How to take control of your own birthday.

9.That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.

10.That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11.What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12.That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.

13.Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14.Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15.Why they say life begins at 30.

16. Where to go when your soul needs soothing; be it to her best friend's kitchen table, or a charming Inn in the woods.

Browsing around at Anthropology

2010-03-17T10:19:00.010-05:00

Hello My Bloggy Friends.

I thought I would share with you some photos

I snapped (with my cell phone)

a couple weekends ago

when I was privileged enough

to get to go to the Anthropology store

at a nearby outside Shopping Center.

Its always a treat for me to go

and get wonderful ideas

of how they can make the simple,

utilitarian pieces,

and make them extraordinary!

Often, just by how they arrange their merchandise.

My wonderful, patient,

and loving husband

as well as my two youngest,

well behaved children

accompanied me on this venture,

however, they all gave out

after a few minutes

and just sat down on some

of the wonderful pieces of worn

and comfortable pieces of furniture

they happen to have there

(I wonder if that's happened before? HMMMM).

Anyhoo, on this trip,

I actually got to buy something there!!!

Which is actually,

I'm almost ashamed to say it....

the first time, EVER

at this wonderful store!!!

(but I hope not the last!)

Remember, I posted a this pic of this a couple weeks ago?

These spice jars were on clearance

for under $2 each!!!!

I know....

Don't hate me.

I tried to find numbers in order,

but I was too late for that.

So I just went for random numbers.

But actually,

now that I have them,

I like the random numbers better!!!

My 8 year old son, Jonah,

used his $2 he had saved to buy himself one.

Takin' after his mama.

I'm so proud!

He has his jar

in his room

with his very smallest rocks in his collection.

So after I looked through the store once,

I then went through and snapped a few pics

to share with you.

How great is this mirror on an old door!!!!

This looks just like one of those

70's Gold Mirrors

you find at garage sales all the time!!!!

But the paint and distressing makes all the difference!!!

I can recreate this one for sure!!!!

And there is my cute (and sometimes goofy)

husband's reflection

in the awesome mirror.

Moss covered foam block?!!!!

Ahhhhh, yeah, I think I can do that!!!!

Moss covered foam ball???

Yeah again!!!!

I like these shelves,

and if you will look closer at the way the pitcher is hanging....

Looks like iron S hooks,

Love those.

Do you see the spoon?

Here it is close up....

Really cute idea to stamp

old silver or silver plate spoons

to label plants.

I love that idea!!!

Random cuteness!

That cute little decorator

over there looking at knobs is

my Jonah.

I love the primitive boxes used as a shelves.

Well, there he is again!!!

And there is my most beautiful daughter, Deidra.

She's 12 and she informed me that

she LOVES this bed!

I think you can really mix and match

anything you like these days!!!!

Who would have ever thought ruffles would come back?

Especially on the front of blouses????!!!!

They say that home design
follows fashion design.
I guess the comforter and
lots of the pillows I've seen lately

proves thats true!!!

And this last pic is of the store next door

that my pre-teen dragged me into.

Oh Lord, help me!

Goin on 16!!!

Well,

I hope you enjoyed our little tour of
Anthropology.

I have now officially subscribed to their
catalog,

and actually already gotten it in the mail.

But it's not as good as the store,

moss covered outside walls and all.

Luv it!!!

My Poor Poor Book

2010-03-16T13:50:00.003-05:00

Do you ever feel like saying,

Why me?

I'm sure you do,

everybody does, right?

Well I have kind of a funny story for you.

I have been drooling over a huge,

hand blown cloche

at Trish Land for MONTHS now.

They are beautiful as well as expensive.

So I finally put one on lay-a-way.

I thought....

I won't feel as guilty,

if I just pay maybe $5 here and there.

Well, God stepped in.

I had gotten some really cool

Enamel French House Numbers

from a Rummage Sale

and when I took them in for my friend

to see that owns the shop...

She just had to have them!

She basically said I wasn't leaving with them.

Don't get me wrong,

I LIKED them,

and I'm really sure I coulda' took her

if it had come down to it...

But to save all that.......

I traded her for the beautiful Cloche

I've been wanting.........

(Sorry, bad pics, took with my cell phone)

and she also threw in several

other things in to make it EVEN MORE

appealing to me.

One thing that closed the deal

was this DELIGHTFUL French Decorating Book.

The LAST one in the store I have to say.

I loved it!!!

It was LOADED

with wonderful photographs

that I had only begun to explore.

Yes....

I said had.

Yesterday,

In my haste to get home from work

and unload the car

to get 2 kids to

2 separate ball practices,

on 2 completely different sides of town.....

I (notice I have NO ONE else to blame here)

must have left my prized book

and a Victoria magazine on the back of my car.

I didn't even think of it

until we got to the ball field

and I started to look for it

so I could longingly savor the glorious photographs of France and all the wonderful
decorating that is only French

while my kids played in the red dirt.

So I called our 17yr old son

still at home,

he went to the street to look for it for me.

He found the Victoria magazine,

that I had gotten at the THRIFT STORE

by the way.

My book, however,

my $40 book

that I probably wouldn't,

in a million years,

buy for myself,

gone.

Not a sign of it anywhere.

Oh well,

easy come.........

Apothocary Jars -n- eggs

2010-03-16T10:52:00.003-05:00

Hello My Friends.

I hope you are all are having a wonderful day!!!

Can you believe it's finally turning spring?!!!!

I'm so glad!!!!

Although..... in my world.....

this means freezing while watching the kids at baseball/softball practices!!!!

I mean....Burrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

But pretty soon.....

We'll all be so hot and sunburned and we will wish for just a little breeze!!!!!

I haven't done a lot of

Easter Decorating yet.......

even though......

I've had the best of intentions!!!!

I did do a quick project for a table at my office.

I thought you might like to have a peek!!!!

My Supplies......

These apothecary jars I got at TJ Maxx

a while back.

I love the size of these

and they were very inexpensive!!!

One of them is a little uneven

on the bottom

and will rock back and forth just a little bit...

but that doesn't bother me in the least!!!

Do you know how many ways you can use an apothecary jar!!!!!!

The possibilities are endless!!!

I had some of these other things

from left over projects at home.

The little eggs and chicks

are on sale at Hobby Lobby and

are about a dollar!!!!

For the whole pack!!!

I just layered

some of the spanish moss

and green moss

and put in some of the eggs and chicks in.

Cute huh?
These cute rabbits I found about a month ago at the Thrift Store.

Mrs. Rabbit needs a little basket or something.

Here's the whole little scene so far.

I know I will probably add some more fufu

but I though they turned out to be cute.

I purchased the Amazing Grace plaque

with the rusty nail

last year for the office,

and I've kept it out all year.

I'll probably end up taking one of these jars

home and paring each one with a cloche.

I think that will look good,

but I thought I'd give you a quick,

easy and cheap idea to decorate for Easter.

Have you started decorating yet?

Mooresville and Belle Mina

2010-03-10T11:04:00.007-06:00

Hello my friends!!!!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful day!!!

I thought I would share a few photo's that I shot this last weekend in a historic town within 15 minutes of my house!!!

Most of these were taken at Historic Mooresville and the ones of the little white church were taken about 5 minutes away from there at Belle Mina.

I hope you Enjoy!!!!

Wow!!!!

I'm amazed and astounded at the beauty surrounding me.

Sometimes, we're just too busy to notice it!!!

I also took some at a historic Civil War Home.

I'll try to post a few of those tomorrow!!!

Until then!!!

How to make a terrarium

2010-03-09T15:26:00.007-06:00

I have fallen in love with all the French/Country/Farmhouse decorating.

I think one of the reasons I love it so much is that I can use what I have on hand.

Things I've inherited or thrifted or someone passed on to me because they didn't want it anymore!

These are the things most people

wouldn't find appealing at all.

But somehow, once you get it arranged.

And as Christopher Lowell used to say, you put your hand to it.

Suddenly, it takes on a new life

And people will say,

"I would have never thought to do that"

Sometimes,

I wouldn't either.

Sometimes its just a happy accident,

or I have copied something I've seen in a magazine or on blog!

I just look around

and see what I have

or what I can make that is similar,

then I just start,

and somehow.....

it just comes together!

So today, just because I am so happy

to finally have it finished...

I'm going to show you the terrarium I just finished this past weekend.

It all started with this pile of stuff !

I just went around my house trying to find some rustic things....

I had found the small spice jars

on clearance at Anthropology !!!!!

(which I love, love, love, but normally can't afford).

I think this brass thing

is an old watering can.

I just love the look of it!!!

I found it a few weeks ago at the SA for $1.25!!!!

Yes, I said $1.25!

The rocks and round decorative pieces I got at a yard sale I think last year.

The moss, bird nest, and robin eggs

I purchased recently

(very inexpensively)

to use in Easter Decorations.

And the plants I got from one of my FAVORITE local stores called Trish Land!

I will be featuring this wonderful place soon!

I have to show you what wonderful things

they have!

I think me and the owner Trish

are kindred spirits!

Because we love all the same things!

She also has a wonderful eye

and an amazing gift!!!

She can just place things and make them look FABULOUS!!!!

And here is the terrarium I'm going to use. Isn't it cute?!!!!!

I know, I love it without anything in it!!!

So, I just started adding stuff in,

Spanish moss on the bottom for filler....

Then some green moss...

Then stuff.....

Then more stuff......

And before long (like 5 minutes)

it turned out to look like this!

I know, cute huh?!!!!

The bell cloche in the top on the right

is an old candle holder turned upside down

that used to sit in a wire base.

I did add a couple more things to the back right corner after this pic was taken.

My youngest son, Jonah, went out and found some 'nature' things he wanted me to add in.

What a sweetie pie he is!

Do you see the

small terracotta pot
right in the middle?

It is some wheat grass

Jonah and I are waiting to grow.

My friend Trish I was just telling you about

grows this grass from seeds

in all sorts of containers

and it is just beautiful!!!

I was in the other day and she planted some

in this little pot so me and my little ones

could watch how fast and easy it grows.

Its just been a couple days

since I took this pic

and its grown like 2 inches!!!!

So that's all there is to it!!!

Just use what you have,

add a couple plants

and you have a one of a kind terrarium!!

I love mine!!!

And the plants do too!!!

They thrive in their glass house!!!

You hardly have to water them at all!!!

I try to just check every day or two

and I keep a spray bottle handy

and just give um a mist or two

if they look thursty or feel dry.

So now......

I wanna see yours!!!!!

Wanna Bawl Your Head Off This Morning?

2010-02-04T10:41:00.003-06:00

OK, I hadn't planned on crying like a baby this morning,

but this video really takes the cake!

I am at a point in my life when my children don't need me like they always have.

For so many years, my life has been defined as mama...

a mama active in every part of my children's lives.

But as you know....

our kids grow up,

our relationships change.

I miss our older children being little and needing me.

I miss it more than you can imagine.

Our youngest baby is in the second grade

and he still loves me.

But our relationship with our older children is not the same.

And I know this is 'normal'.

But nobody told me it would be this hard.

I came across this video this morning and it put into words so many of the feelings I have been
having but just not able to verbalize.

If you have a few minutes, its so worth your time.

You may be in the same position as I am....

You may have already been there......done that.....

or you may still have sweet little ones at home that you can still put up in your lap,

tickle and listen to their sweet laughter,

and carry them to bed at night.

If you do, savor every moment,

because in a blink,

it'll be over.

And you feel like they don't need you anymore.

You can click on the video below from Sarah at Clover Lane:

Wanna Bawl Your Head Off This Morning?

Homemade Laundry Soap

2010-01-26T14:53:00.000-06:00

Hello My Wonderful Friends!!!

I hope you are having a Fabulous day!

I have discovered SO many wonderful blogs

since I was introduced to 'Blog Land'
that have great decorating ideas

and unique thrifty finds.

And I have some awesome new friends

that I am so excited about over at

Drab to Fab!

I even love the name!!!

Take a look at their blog

when you have half a second!

You will be SO IMPRESSED

at how they can make a treasure out

of just about anything they find!!!

And it's all from items that are cheap and

easy to find!!!

I've also attached a link
for you to check out

their recipe for

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap.

Bon got it from Michelle Dugger

(You know!!! The Duggers with 19 kids!)

She made this for just pennies!!!
( I mean like $1 for ten GALLONS,

if you have your own bucket!!!)

She has put her own spin on it the original recipe

and I wanted to know if it was as good as my Gain!!!

She said it was!!!

She said she's going to add a tablespoon or so of

her Gain

in the next batch she does

and maybe not dilute it quite as much as she did last time.

But all in all, she's really be satisfied with it.

So I'm gonna take all her great advice

I've got borax and baking soda,

and as soon as I have a spare minute (or 2),

me and the kiddos are gonna whip us up a batch!!!!

Wow!!!
Yay!!!!!!

So if you all try it before I do,

let me know how your very

own Homemade Laundry Detergent turns out!!!

A HUGE THANKS

to the Chic's over at Drab to Fab

for their Fabulous Post!!!!

And I will be checking out their blog DAILY!!!

Don't Judge A Find By It's Box

2010-01-26T11:26:00.000-06:00

First and foremost....

My blog post looks crazy!

I know it does!!!

It keeps changing my font on my post!!

I don't have a clue why, so I am apologizing in advance!!!

So....how are you all doing?

We're all doing better here.

We've had a really rough go at it these last few months.

We've been under attack

in just about every way you can imagine.

But guess what?

WE are coming out of this life victorious!!!!

What is it they say?

I know cause I've read the end of the book!

And I know how were coming out of this thing!!!

Blessed and Prosperous!!!

Above and not Beneath!!!

The Head and NOT the tail!!!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11.

So thank the Lord!!!

For your promises are true!!!

And one more thing

Satan still owes me for what he's stolen from me!!!

AND MORE!!!!

And I'm tired of walking around here

all down and defeated!!!

Christ came to give us (ME) LIFE!!!

And life more ABUNDANTLY!!!!

SO THERE!!!!

CHOKE ON THAT THIS MORNING SATAN!!!

I do want to let each and every one of you know

that I am continuously grateful

for all your thoughts and prayers!

And here's a few updates on the fam.

Our son Joey's symptoms are much better at this time.

He has been diagnosed with CMT,

a form of MS

that is hereditary.

But they do not think this is the cause

of his recent neurological symptoms

or the white matter they've found on his brain.

We will be taking him to Vanderbilt

in March for more testing.

He has started back to work at Chucky Cheese

and this is really a great thing for him.

It gets him out of the house

and occupies his mind

and keeps him active.

Also one of our 18 year old son's, Eli,

is being sent to a cardiologist for

some testing next week.

(Actually they have changed his appt. till 1 pm today!)

I think this is just a precautionary measure

for some problems he's been having

lately and to test a murmur they found

a while back.

That is next Tuesday, Feb. 5Th.

Also, my baby sister (she's 30 but always my baby),

Daphne,

has been diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer.

She is having a hysterectomy next week,

February 5Th,

and I would ask for you all

to agree (Matthew 18:19)

with me that this surgery will get

EVERY BIT of cancer out

of her body!!!

And that she will be totally and completely healed!

The year I was a senior in high school,

my Daphne was in 1st grade.

She has always been such a joy to me

and to our whole family.

She's every body's favorite.

She's beautiful, sweet, a wonderful mother, daughter, sister,

wife, and friend!

And outgoing is

an understatement!!!

And she needs us to lift her up!!!

I know she's already healed.

OK, Enough about that stuff,

seems strange after all that...

But I have some Finds I've found at the thrift store

over the last little while

that I haven't shown you!!!

You never know,

sometimes you might just see a box with a

ceramic piece in it

that everybody else has just passed by.

That's $1.91,

I hate the way they price at that thrift store.

But under the cardboard on the bottom

There was the other piece!!!!

I just had to glue it together!!!!

The ribbon can be changed out too!!!

I also got these at the SA. 25 cents each

They look cheerful, don't you think?

I can't help it,
I still love milk glass!!!
I still pick it up when I see it cheap!!
I think it will make a comeback
one day soon!!!
I like this bowl because I could
put ribbon through the holes in the top.
And it this one is a good serving bowl too!!!

Well. thanks for letting me get all that off my chest.

Thanks for all your

support, prayers, and friendship!

Until next time...

Be Blessed

Another fab day at the SA

2010-01-19T14:08:00.000-06:00

OK, I might have a slight problem....

I love the Salvation Army.

I think I have to go there every day.

Money or no money.

I'm always afraid there is something there that I really want

or even.......need.

Kinda like my husbands obsession with the mail.

He can't stand to think about it just lying in the box.......

waiting to be picked up......

All alone......

Anyway, back to my Salvation Army story for today.

Today.......

I had to just make a quick run by

I saw this plate rack

Most people wouldn't even know what it was

And I was such a good girl.

I passed it up

I reasoned with myself......

It needs to be painted,

I don't have much wall space in my kitchen,

I don't even need to spend the $2.50 that it costs.

Then.....

I couldn't get it off my mind.

It haunted me.....

For the whole 30 minutes it took me to get back to that store!!!

I had to run to it!

To rescue it from it getting into the wrong hands!!!

Whew!!!!

Then I saw it there.......

waiting for me with open arms!!!

(I had to imagine that part)

And when everybody else could just see the sad,

old plate rack.....

I saw this........

This one above the bed at Pottery Barn.

It prolly cost like $500!!!!! (OK, maybe like $100)

But anyway....just a coat of spray paint

and this little beauty can proudly hang

above Jonah's bed.

I'm sure it will help his reading skills

and just look dang cute in the process.

Or if all else fails,

I will have a really great plate rack for the kitchen!

What do you think?

Should I have left it at the SA.

Or did I do the absolute and only right thing by rescuing it?

Remnants of Christmas 09

2010-01-18T15:35:00.000-06:00

Well, It's already on the downside of January,

so Christmas 09 is officially over.

And finally...

The mystery of the missing ornament has been solved

Well...almost

This was our Dog Beau's face that was on our family

Christmas Ornament from Last year.

It mysteriously went missing before the ornament even went on the tree this year

But 'nobody' did it.

So we will most likely never know who did it

or how it happened,

but its one of those things that you just have to laugh about

one of those 'family mystery's' that will most likely

never be solved.

But it's really no biggie,

I'll pick one up somewhere before next year,

Cause I wouldn't want Beau to feel left out.

I also came across this pic I had snapped of one

of the presents I wrapped.

Isn't it amazing what one little thing can

add to a wrapped gift?

I got my hubby to cut a few pieces of greenery

from an old fake tree we were throwing away,

and I just stuck a piece or two on this present.

I stocked up on this wrapping paper after Chritmas last year.

I love the polka dots.

I also have it in black

You can really use both of them year-round.

I would give just about anything if I had taken pictures

of the presents my mother-in-law had under her tree

at Christmas this year!

Everyone of them were beautiful!!!

She took so much time and care with each one.

It was such a shame to have to tear them open!

Ahhhhh, so now the decorations are put away

and the tree's finally down

And Foxy Mama can see out of the window again

Or maybe....she's watching for Santa to come back!

Dumpster Diving

2010-01-15T13:29:00.000-06:00

First off....

It is such a beautiful day here in Alabama!!!

The sun is shining and it is wonderful!!!!

Next, I've got a question......

Is it OFFICIALLY dumpster diving

if you don't actually GET INSIDE

of the dumpster?

OK, that's what I thought.

I guess I went dumpster diving today.

EVEN THOUGH I wasn't out LOOKING for stuff in dumpsters

AND

I didn't actually get IN the dumpster.

OK....Who am I kidding,

I've always got my eye out for treasures

beside trashcans and dumpsters,

but I USUALLY don't get out

and get stuff

(unless it's really good stuff!)

Nevertheless,

I was going back to work from lunch today

when I spotted all these cute fruit baskets

by the side of the dumpster

at the pharmacy next door to my office!

JACKPOT!!!!

Look at these!!!

I love 'em!!!

There are 6 of them

and they are really a great size

not too small.

And a few are really big!

I think they must have used them for display

because they are all very sturdy

and in perfect condition

and they will be just perfect

for an organization project

I'm wanting to tackle in our garage!!!!

And then I can always use them

to decorate in the fall

or for a fall party like we had this past year!!!

And best of all......

It didn't cost me a penny!!!!!

(I know....you can't believe I'm THIS

excited over fruit baskets!)

So keep your eyes peeled

You never know what you'll find

and what is it they say....

One person's trash........

2010-01-13T15:24:00.000-06:00

Ok, First off...let me apologize for not blogging for so long.

It seems......and I know it can happen to the best of us...

That I've just too down to blog.

Sad.......but True.

Our life is just up in the air right now.

And It's so hard for me to decorate or even think about it when

I'm not sure where we'll be living tomorrow.

But today...is a new day.

And I am thankful.

And I choose...

To Go On.

So..... how was your Christmas?

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas.

I hate I've been in such a Funk, cause I got all kinds of new

Christmas Decorations!!!!!

My wonderful mother-in-law sent me practically her whole

Santa Collection!!!!!

And so I have Santa's everywhere!

Yes!!!!! I haven't taken them down yet!!!!

But I'm planning to do that this weekend.

I'm also considering a new business venture.

I'm doing tons of research now...

But if I do.

You know, you'll be the first to know!

Well....since I still have CHRISTMAS decorations up at my house.....

I thought I would share a few pics I snapped recently while visiting Anthropology.

Wow! Some really awesome things.....

At a really awesome price!!!!

(Exaggerating....too expensive for me)

But I love to go in and get wonderful ideas!!!!

So enjoy!!!!

And it feels good to be back.

I love this, This would be fairly simple to make. But it just looks so great here!

I'm so into the Farm House Look now!!!

I love this!

Looks so easy

but would my kids try to eat

the fake snow?

This looks so much like a ironstone

compote I got at the SA

a couple months ago!!!!

So random, but beautiful

Love old stuff given new life!

They even make silverware look pretty!!!

Hey!!!! I bought some skates just like this at

a local habitat re-sale shop a little while back.

I paid $5!!!!!!!!!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the pics.

And I promise, I'm back.

My Baby's 8th Birthday

2009-12-10T10:44:00.000-06:00

Today

my baby turns 8.

I can't believe it.

From the moment he was born,

I didn't want to miss a minute with him.

Unfortunately,

I have to from time to time.

Just with day to day life and work.

But I have consciously,

From the moment I made the nurses drag over a mirror

so I could watch him come into this world,

I have wanted to savor and enjoy his life.

Jonah has always been a little different

than other children.

Or is it me?

Am I different with him,

knowing he was the last?

I've never disciplined him like I did the others.

I've never had to.

I can tell him not to do something and he does it.

He doesn't lie about it.

And usually

if I have to tell him something more than once,

with a little force,

it absolutely breaks his heart.

He cries and says,

"I'm so sorry mommy, I'm so sorry I was bad".

Breaks my heart!

OK, he's not perfect!

He will test me, just like other children,

But he has been an absolute joy to me.

I prayed over him before he was born

that he wouldn't rebel

and such as other children sometimes do.

That He would be different.

And God has answered my prayers.

Now let me say,

ALL my children are wonderful!

They each have such distinct personalities.

And when it's their birthday,

I will tell you what fabulous qualities they have!

I was looking at what pic I would post

and found several cute ones

from the last couple years that

I thought I would share of my sweet Jonah.

I hope you enjoy!

Thanks!

This morning before school with his frogs he's been wanting for MONTHS!

HE was sooooo excited!!!!

Jonah and our other big baby, Beau.

How hard is it for a kid not to be able to jump in?

Construction kit from last Christmas

Jonah came by after he got a haircut
to see me at my office.

The day Jonah picked out his clothes and dressed himself for school.
(one of my personal favorites)

Jonah with his friend Jake
at his birthday party at the bowling alley

Sweetie Pie

The day Jonah was baptised.

Priceless!

Tin Man at Church

(the one on the right is Jonah, LOL)

He carved this pumpkin himself.

He's so proud!

Me and my baby this year on July 4th.

His first trophy for baseball.

He was so proud!

And I am too!!!!

My baby and my baby!

So Happy Happy Happy Birthday Jonah!
I love you with ALL MY HEART!!!!

I love you forever....I like you for always...
as long as I'm livin'....
my baby you'll be.

Our son Joey

2009-12-08T11:27:00.000-06:00

Church Camp Luau Summer 2008

Charlie, Joey, Isaac, Carla

Sorry I haven't been able to post like I promised.

This past weekend,

our 16 year old Joey (number 3 of 6) was

admitted to the Hospital

with Stroke Symptoms.

They still don't know what's going on at this point,

but running lots and lots of tests.

This his has definitely put things into perspective for me.

I was so worried about family drama,

trying to figure out how to buy Christmas

gifts for the kids,

work, etc.

Now none of that seems very important any more.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

May God Bless and Keep You.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2009-12-02T14:51:00.000-06:00

Oh how I love Christmas!!!!

I'm listening to Christmas Music, sitting by a fire on a Bearskin rug in one of those beautiful, nice, wonderful super soft robes, sipping Hot Coco as we speak.....

OK, not really.

I'm still at work!

But that's what I'd be doing if I could!

I'm so sorry that I haven't blogged in a while.

I have had SOOOOOO much going on.

And so many pressures of daily life on me!

But I haven't forgotten you!

And I'll post some new pics in a few days.

Of Christmas Decorations!

When....I get them up!!!

But it's soon, I promise!!!

I really let Thanksgiving get by without telling you all what I'm thankful for!

It's so much that I don't have room to write it all!

My God amazes and astounds me daily!!!!

You know, I worry all the time.

I know it's a sin, but I do.

I worry about money,

I worry about my marriage

(even though it's wonderful),

I worry about my kids,

I worry about if my car's gonna break down,

and I worry if I'll still have my job tomorrow!

Because nothing in this world is assured.

But what I don't worry about,

what I have the most peace about.

Is regardless of my circumstances...

My God is the same!

He never changes.

And he's got my back!

There have been so many times in my life

that I didn't know how I was gonna make it.

He has always come through for me!

ALWAYS!

And I know he will this time....and the next time......

and every time after that!

I say it all the time...

I am so Blessed!

Thanksgiving Lunch with Jonah

2009-11-19T14:55:00.000-06:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to share

Thanksgiving lunch

with my youngest child, Jonah,

today at his school.

He has been such a joy to me

and I savor EVERY minute I have with him.

His childhood, it seems,

is just slipping thru my fingers.

He will be 8 years old in a couple of weeks

and he has big plans for a party!

I asked someone to snap a picture

of us today in the lunchroom

and it is a little blurry,

but maybe you can make it out.

He still loves me at this point.

I'm not so sure about the teenagers!

Tables at Thrift Store

2009-11-19T13:59:00.000-06:00

Hey Folks,

Had my daily pass thru the Thrift Store at Lunch today.

I saw these great tables!

This is the coffee table,

the whole top raises up on it!

The side table.

They all have the black iron bottoms.

The Sofa Table

It raises up as well.

They are very 'rustic' and cute.
Solid Wood.
I would use these out on the back covered patio.
They could be painted, distressed, or left 'as is'.
They were like $28,$38, & $48.
Too much for me right now,
but someones gonna be happy!!!!

I Just About Cried

2009-11-18T11:06:00.000-06:00

OK,

I love Christmas

and I love Thrifty Finds,

so today......

is my day!!!

Here is my advise on the Salvation Army,

or any Thrift Store or Yard Sale for that matter.

BE NICE!!!!

You would not believe how much favor you can get!!!!

Just by being nice!!!!!

For example.

I was in the SA yesterday.

One of the employees was putting out some Christmas Items.

Now mind you...

This is a sweet/not so sweet lady

I see in there almost everyday.

I'm ALWAYS nice to her.

Ask her how her days going,

Smile at her,

Please and Thank You's!

This advise is not only about getting good deals.

It's about how to stand out as a Christian.

Sometimes,

we might be the only person that's nice to them all day!

I try to remember that it says in Matthew that they

'will know us by our fruits.'

I actually went through a drive thru

at a busy BBQ restaurant close by where I work

a few months ago.

I acted the way I normally do

to the lady at the window.

And she said,

"Do you know you are the first person that's been

through here today that's been nice?"

I have kicked myself over and over

for not having a quick comeback

that would let her know why I am different,

That it's not me,

it's Christ living in me.

But I will try not to ever be caught off guard

if it happens again!

So there is my sermon for the day! BE NICE!

Anyway, back to my story about the SA.

When I was in yesterday looking at some Christmas Stuff,

my worker said,

"Hey, come back in a little while,

I'll be putting out some good stuff".

I thanked her

and told her I wasn't sure if I could

because I go to class on Tuesday Nights.

But......

I was there when they opened this morning!!!!

Here are a few of the cute things I got!!!

Three large Santa's. $1.25 and $1.50 each.

Cute Cute Cute paper mache Santa

and 4 hand stitched stockings.

$.50 cents each!

Snowman family,

Had to nearly fight off a TSD (thrift store diva)

to get the whole set!

(What did I just say about NICE? LOL)

And next.......

I saw it in the back on the wall.....

and I wasn't sure if my legs were gonna carry

me over to get it....

It was one of the most beautiful things

I have ever seen.....

And It was $3.50!!!!!

And now its mine!

I just about cried.....

Really!

Its made out of paper mache kind of stuff

and I didn't even notice till I was paying

that Joseph is missing a hand

and the top is broken off

one of the finials.

I don't care.

Just adds character!

And as I was paying,

my employee said,

"I told you to come back"

I am so Highly Blessed and Favored!

Cozy Fire

2009-11-18T10:34:00.000-06:00

After a long day at work yesterday

and then school last night,

I arrived home to find this....

My husband had a wonderful fire in the fireplace

and had made spaghetti.

Yumo!

He worked 12 hours yesterday

but still did all that for us.

Nothing like a warm home,

a full belly,

and a loving family!

Wow! I am blessed!

2009-11-17T11:16:00.000-06:00

Hello gang,

I hope all is well today for everyone.

It's beautiful fall weather here in Alabama

and I have so much to be thankful for!

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a few days,

I have been so busy!!!!

I went buy the SA Saturday and saw this kitchen Island

that would be perfect for us

(I could paint it if I wanted

and really fix it up)

with 2 bar stools for sale for $50.00.

We really need this for our kitchen

but money is tight right now

and it's sooooo close to Christmas.

I'm not sure how we're gonna do it this year as it is.

I snapped this pic for my husband to see it.

BTW, it was already gone by Monday.

It woulda' been a perfect fit

but there will be one even better, I know!

'For we know that all things work together

for those who love the Lord

and are called according to his purpose'

Romans 8:28

I just wanted you to see that there are

some great deals out there to be had!

But you gotta have time.....and money!

I'll try to post something really great tomorrow!

I've got loads of work to get caught up on today!!!

Thanks for visiting!!!

Salvation Army Vase

2009-11-12T13:26:00.000-06:00

Hey guys, quick post today.

It's been a trying day...week....month....

I know it's all gonna get better.

I have it so much better than soooooo many.

And I am thankful.

But just like everybody....

sometimes I get down.

And feel really sorry for myself.

So I get up...

and go to work....

and focus on all the positives in my life.

So many that there is not room enough on this page to list.

So.......one really good thing.

I stopped for a quick run through the Salvation Army

on my way back to work from lunch.

Didn't have much money or time......

JACKPOT!!!!!!

Do you know what this is?

Yes,

A Hand Blown Princess House Crystal Vase.

(it's really hard to photograph clear glass)

It's about 6" high and about 6" wide at its widest.

It was dirty and just mixed in with everyday glass vases.

But It's Beautiful

And I love it!

I have gotten several Princess House pieces

over the last year or so.

People don't know what they are most of the time,

so they are cheap!

I used to sell PH like 15 years ago,

so I appreciate the quality and workmanship

that goes in to their products.

I just can't afford them.

WOW! They are pricey!!!

OK, are you ready for the SA (salvation army) price?

Drum roll..........

50 cents.

Yes.....I know!

Ya know,

people tell me everyday

that they just can't find anything good

when they go to a yard sale or thrift store.

I would say,

most of the time, I don't either.

But then, when you do, it's just GREAT! LOL.

I know, I've finally lost it!!!

Lamp Shade Redo

2009-11-11T15:59:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone!

What a beautiful day it is here!

I hope it's beautiful where you are too!

Weeeelllllll...........

I have been wanting to update my bedside lamp's

in our master bedroom,

but I just didn't really need to break down and buy any.

I love the look of the shade covered in burlap with the monogram on it that Rhoda has in her dining room

at Southern Hospitality.

And I had some old shades I could use,

but I really don't have anybody around

here that could do the

monogramming for me.

And especially not free and NOW

which is how I like to do things!

So I have just been looking around to see what I could find.

Well, I love Kirkland's

and saw this shade the other day

and I thought

'I can just do that".

First, I found this pair of shades

at a yard sale last Saturday.

It was about 1pm

and they were ready to pack up,

so I got both of them for $5.

Ugly tassels and all!

Here's the shade after I cut off the tassels,

the shade's are really in nice shape.

So I just bought 3 yards of ribbon from Hobby Lobby

(about $3 total)
And tied them on the shades.

Then I pulled out some bases

to put with the shades that

I have had for YEARS.

Cute enough.

But now..... the gold just looks 'too gold' on the bases.

So I got out some
acrylic paint (Espresso Bean)
a sponge brush

And I just started painting those babies,
just kept dabbing and wiping till they looked good.

Much better I think.....But they still need something....

So I bought these monograms at Hobby Lobby.
3 in a pack for $4.
Our last name starts with M.
I coulda' used his initial on his side
and mine on my side.
That would work too.
But I like the M, so I went with it.

They are cute, but too bright for this project.

So I painted them

.
With the same acrylic paint I used for the bases

So here's the finished lamp's
for my bedside tables!

How cute is this?!!!!!!!
I love it!!!
Maybe I'll make my bed
so I can show you all how they look!!!!

Or maybe not.....
The Jury is still out on that one!!!

Some of my Thrifty Finds this week.

2009-11-09T15:38:00.000-06:00

OK, it's been a gorgeous, relaxing weekend.

Now back to the real world!

First of all,

update on our 16 year old son

that had his tonsils out this morning.

He seems to be doing fine, surgery went great.

VERY large tonsils and adenoids!

So he will feel SO much better now that they are gone

(after the recovery Ughhh!!).

I had a wonderful relaxing day on Saturday!

And I had a very sweet comment about my cheese toast!

My mom was the 'cheese toast' queen and she believed it would cure ANY queasy stomach!

And we were always about cheap and easy growing up!

I guess that's where my thrifty side's from!!

As I posted Saturday, I didn't have to leave the house all day!

But I did!

My husband text me on his way out to work that there was a yard sale down the block from me.

I was positive that I was NOT going!

This was my day to rest!

And I had already spent more than I wanted to at a huge rummage sale on Friday.

I made it till about 12,

then I threw on my clothes,

pulled my hair back in a trusty ponytail,

and I flew down to that yard sale like I knew

they had saved the best stuff for me

(and now it would be cheap

cause the game was starting soon

and you know how we are

down here in Alabama

on game day!)

So I've posted a few things from the Yard Sales, Rummage Sales, and Thrift Store this past week.

Its not all of it,

but I'll share most with you

in the next few days

(what I'm not holding out for gifts)!!!

I got all this for under $8.00!!!!!

If you cant tell....

there are approximately 4o Christmas boxes

(they are actually luminaries,

but I'm gonna fold the top's down

and use them for gift boxes for homemade goodies

for friends, teachers, etc.

There is 2 plastic gift wrap roll storage thingy's

(yes, that is the technical name)

There is a whole role of Disney gift tags.

There is a gift wrap cutter.

Gold pine cone candle, brand new, still in gift box.

Another jar candle with a spicy Christmasy scent.

(luv it, been burning all weekend)

New bag of snow.

2 brand new, unopened in wrapper,

'make it in a jar gifts' books.

Silver fortune cookie that opens up

where you can put a message inside with box.

And.......

A Big Cutie Pie Santa

Whew!!!!

And did I tell you ALL for under $8.00!!!!!

Pic above is one of the Luminaries assembled

Big Cute Santa

I got this huge towel and hand towel, brand new, with tags on.
Both for $6.00

I've already hung them in our guest bathroom!
Perfect!!!!
I would have NEVER paid the price
that was on the tags!!!!
But SOMEBODY did!
And I get to enjoy them and not have to feel guilty!!!!

Everything in the picture above was 50 cents each.
The jar with a lid is filled with a candle.
The pillow matches my master bedroom comforter
(I'll show you the next time I make it up all the way....
could be awhile!)

These are the cutest booties,
And they are about 6-8 inches high!
They were from the rummage sale at the
Community Church Coalition (CCC).
25 cents each!

And one of my fav's this week,
brings back all kinds of memories for me!
My grandfather had one of these!
He loved to play it (he said for the kids, but HIS eyes twinkled)
and watch Santa ring his bell!!!!
Thrift Store.
$1.95

I also snatched this old bowl up for $1.50

at the CCC rummage sale

Above is a close up of the old bowl,

I don't know if you can see the old crazing!

I love it!

I always wonder where it has been in it's life.

I can picture it with creamed corn out of

the garden, warming by the stove,

Or beef stew on an old farm table.

I love utilitarian pieces.

This is a paper towel holder we will hang up 'as is'.

My husband doesn't like the one I have in the kitchen now,

it sits on the counter top.

And we really have very little counter space.

The one we have now is really a cute little shelf too!

I think I'll move it to the bathroom

And POOF.......

and it will become a hand towel holder.

With all these new Decorations,

I can't help but to get in the Christmas Decorating mood.

It's taking all the strength I can muster

to wait until after Thanksgiving!

I just don't know if I'm gonna make it!!!!

2009-11-07T10:37:00.000-06:00

Good Saturday Morning!!!

You are not gonna believe this!

I just got up an hour ago, it's 10am (didn't go to school)! and I'm ALL ALONE!!!

I'm flipping back and forth between Flip That House and Lifetime on TV,

and just fixed myself something to eat!!!

I just needed a day that I didn't have to leave the house!

I can't even REMEMBER the last time that has happened.

I've got loads of stuff to do around here and studying to do.

OHHHHHH and the Alabama game at 2:30

(can't miss that, it's a southern thang)

OK, I spoke too soon.

Our 16 year old just got up.....

but that's OK ! He's having his tonsils out Monday.

So I forgive him for spoiling my ALONE time!!! LOL

Last Years Christmas Tree

2009-11-04T13:04:00.001-06:00

I got to thinking about it

and I had a few pictures of our Christmas tree from last year

on my cell phone I thought I would post.

Mind you....I took these right before I started taking it down

so I could remember how

the bow looked.

No, your not seeing crooked....

The tree is leaning....bad!

It had already fell I don't know how many times!!!!!

Needless to say......

I have a new tree this year!!!

Leaning......

I still use all the decorations my kids have made me.

And you would think they wouldn't notice.

But If one's not there.

They are trying to find it!

Whew.....I just knew that tree was gonna fall again!!!!

Kim's Trees

2009-11-04T11:30:00.001-06:00

OK, I know it may be too early for some of you,

but I just had to show you a couple of the Christmas Trees my friend Kim has already decorated this year.

She decorates for the public and charges per tree.

She asks that the client have the tree together and

the ornaments laid out that they would like on the tree.

She will also do the shopping for ornaments for the client after they decide on a budget, etc.

I have decorated for people in the past

and I like the way Kim does it.

She does wonderful work.

I thought I would go ahead and post these so maybe we could all get some new ideas and inspirations from these trees.

I love Christmas!!!!

I love the present at the top!!!! What a great idea!!!! And I just wanna lick the lollipops!!!

We've all got Santa's we could add to our tree!!!

I love the initial ornaments. I made some last year that are similar, but this one is really cute!!!

Look at the Santa Hat at the top!!!

Another great idea!!!!

This is the other tree,

I believe in the same house.

Very, Very Pretty!

Thanks Kim for sharing!!!

I can't wait to get started on my decorations now!!!!

home sick

2009-11-03T10:53:00.000-06:00

Yuck. Home sick.

I've been wanting a day off but YUUUUUUCK!!!

I don't want to move out of bed.

I just want to take a minute to say how much I am enjoying blogging!

It feels like Christmas when I see I have a new comment!

And for someone who has always enjoyed looking at pictures of beautiful homes in magazines, It's like I have hit the jackpot! Being able to view all the wonderful homes on the blogs of my new friends is the best! And getting to know each one of you and stories of your lives and families.....WOW!

I foresee many, many years of the blogging world for me.

Please say a little prayer for me today to get to feeling better. Mama's can't be down for long!

Thanks you sooooooo much!!!! You are the BEST!

Top of kitchen cabinets

2009-11-02T09:25:00.001-06:00

This is the area over my kitchen cabinets.

I started unpacking some old boxes and just didn't know where to stop!!!

Is this too much?

We drilled a hole down through the top of the small middle cabinet over the microwave and plugged an extension cord in an outlet that was there for the microwave.

It really worked out well because you can't see it, and I can unplug it without climbing up on the counter top!!!!

Fall decorations on Large Shelf in My Living Room

2009-11-02T08:57:00.000-06:00

This is a large shelf in my living room.

It is so high that I have to have my husband to help me put stuff up there.

Love my husband

But left pumpkin is crooked.

And after it's up, I can't tweak it like I'd like.

Ugggghhhhh.....

I just put the big re-do wreath that I posted a couple weeks ago up there.

I think I'll put a huge Christmas Wreath up there after Thanksvgiving.

Whata you think?

I want a HUGE old round clock.

I might even make one (one day). I saw one made out of paper mache' somewhere. Let me know if you know where I could find some instructions for that.

Fall Festival at Church

2009-11-01T16:40:00.000-06:00

OK gang.....Here's a few shots of our costumes from Halloween at our Fall Festival at Church.

My husband, myself, and our two youngest

children dressed up

and had a ball!

We tried to use what we had...

and spend as little as possible just to see it we could!

So I wanted to show you how we had cute costumes,

didn't spend a fortune, and didn't even have to sew!!!

This is how it turned out.....

I started out to be Cleopatra, but ended up just being an Egyptian Queen.

I bought my 'beautiful realistic' eyelashes at Wally World for under $4.

The black hairspray was $2.50.

I bought some gold cording at the shell pendant and a gold belt ($1.25) at the thrift store CHEAP!

And some sandals that I can wear next year for $2.00.

I had everything else at home.

And it's kind of funny

but the makeup is what I use everyday!

I just wore it heavier and made my eyebrows darker!

So my entire outfit was under $10.00!!!!

Here's the rest of the crew! Jonah's 'Brain Surgeon'

(as he called it)

costume came from the thrift store.

It was marked $6.00 but I got it half off.

One of my good friends got his other accessories for him (mask, gloves, etc).

So they were free!

Deidra's princess dress

I also got at a thrift store a month or so ago, cheap!

I bought her some sweet silver shoes

(that she can wear to church)

on summer clearance for $1.oo.

And she wore my jewelry

and a tiera from the $1.00 store.

And this is my super cute husband!!!

He dressed up as the associate pastor at our church, Bro. Bob!

We picked up his sweater vest and glasses (just removed the lenses) at, you guessed it, the thrift store, both for under $7.00.

We bought white hair spray for $2.50.

And he had everything else.

We tried and tried to find a hat but we couldn't,

everyone said that would have made the outfit,

Oh well.

Bro. Bob is a character! He is a true southern gentleman!

Charlie (my husband) had his voice and mannerisms down

to a tee and walked around as 'Bro Bob' all night.

My Husband looked so handsome and distinguished!

I know what I've got to look forward to in a few years

and I say I'm one lucky lady!

Everyone got such a kick out of him.

We had a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship!

Can't wait till next year!!!

Wizard Of Oz House

2009-10-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

Take a look at this cute house I saw a few minutes ago!!!

I went to the door to ask permission to photograph but no one was home!!!

Well ahhhhhhh.......thanks!!!!

.........I really like your house.........

HOOOOOOOWWWWWW CUUUUUUTTTTTEEEEE!!!!!

Great Idea for the lamp post!!!

It was so cute that I didn't even want to mess up one of the leaves on the way to the door!!!!

Even the Hitchin' post was decked out!!!!

So if I don't get to post tomorrow.......

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!!

Kids and Fall

2009-10-30T10:44:00.001-05:00

I love Fall!

I don't think my kids love it as much as I do, but they will.

When they grow up, I know they will remember their goofy mother at the farmers market

looking for just the right heirloom pumpkins

and buying 25 mini pumpkins for their friends to paint at a birthday party.

The picture below is of our two youngest children.

Jonah our youngest, is 7, in the second grade.

And Deidra, our only daughter, is 12.

We were at the Fall Festival at their school.

I don't think I have to tell you they were NOT thrilled that I was making them pose for pictures.

It was hot and they wanted to play with friends.

Oh well, you know how 'us' mama's can be!!!

Here is Jonah, fresh after face painting. Oh, to be young.....

Face painting could make one so happy!!!!

Life is good!

We celebrated Deidra's Fall Costume Birthday Bash

a couple weeks ago and I thought you might enjoy a few pics.

Above is the invitations that my husband (aka big daddy) printed out.

I wanted to add a polka dot ribbon or something and I stopped at the dollar store on the way home and couldn't find anything....so I improvised.

When I got home. Deidra and I dragged out some artificial leaves and jute and just went to town!

I think they really turned out cute!

She took them to school (20 of them!!!!) to give to her friends.

Then.....it decided to rain, rain, rain, and to become so cold and windy!!!!

We had to move the event to the front yard...

(BOO HOO)

So the back drop for the pics isn't what I had imagined it would be...

And we had to staple the tablecloths on,

And everything kept blowing off the table,

So the decorations were mimimal (not me AT ALL)!!!

but the kids didn't seem to mind!

(or they were too cold to care!)

The Doctor is in.

Arrrrrrr........

One of the tables had the stuff for smores, paint your own pumpkins, and beads to make your own necklaces.

Another table before the cupcakes were put out.

(ok, you caught me!!! I'm bad....I bought the cupcakes....

they are not homemade!!!!!!

I ran out of time!)

Sue me.

Table with fix it yourself caramel apples (beautiful, wonderful apples from the farmers market)
with all kinds of cool sprinkles and nuts to choose from.

Beefy Nachos and Cheese

Hot dogs (if you didn't want to roast your own)

Some if the scary (and not so scary) guests.

Deidra is the tall blond (princess) in the middle back with the

crooked crown.

The front of the house where they could cover up with blankets

and giggle.

Awwww, cupcakes magically appear!!!

Some of the girls thawing out in the house for awhile.

My sweet husband built the girls a fire for marshmallows, wieners, and warmth.

Fall decorations.

Girls hangin' out.

Happy 12th Birthday to Deidra!!! We love you!!!!

Glass Dome from Newly Discovered Thrift Store!!!

2009-10-29T15:16:00.000-05:00

Oh my Goodness!!!!!!!!!

There is a wonderful Thrift Store less than 6 blocks away from my office and I just found it today at Lunch!!!!!!

I have been passing right by it to go to my other Thrifts that I visit! Its just a little back off the road and I had no idea it was there!!!!

I even noticed, when I was checking out, that it was voted the #1 Thrift Store in North Alabama in 2008!

Here is picture as I was going in!!!! They had some great stuff and they seem very affordable AND everything seemed organized.

I like that!!!

Here is my 'find' for the day!.............

Wow! Can you believe it at a thrift store! $2.92! I've always wanted one of these, but I've never broke down and bought one!!!

You can see in the pic above that it's missing something on top

but that is an easy fix with a finial or something 'inventive'

OR maybe not anything!

I don't know if anyone would notice!

I love it!!!!!! SCORE for the new Thrift Store!!!!

A make-do bow

2009-10-29T14:37:00.000-05:00

Hello My Friends! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

My husband dropped by my office today on his way to visit his dad in the hospital who has just had hip replacement. His birthday is tomorrow and he had his gift for me to wrap.

Now again......I'm at work.

This is what I had with me at work wrap the present........

Some wrapping paper I bought 1/2 off last year at Christmas at Hobbly Lobbly.

I did have the normal office stuff, scissors, tape, etc (thank the Lord).......but no bow.

My husband said he could just grab a stick on bow somewhere on the way.

I told him definitely not! That's like a clip on tie! LOL.

So then I had an idea.........

I saw this.............

Our candy dish!!!!!!!

So here is the finished product..........

It's amazing what a little clear tape and staples will do!!!! (Imagine what I coulda done with some hot glue!!!!!!

Necessity is definitely the mother of invention!!!!

Oh, and he loves candy!!!!!

Today's SA cute finds

2009-10-28T15:13:00.000-05:00

Here's a couple of cute things I picked up at the Salvation Army today.

Very pretty, Large, Heavy White Compote (I guess that's what it is). Has some crazing on it (which I love by the way) and is marked on the bottom. Needs a good cleaning but I think its very pretty. Marked $4.00.

Here's the mark, might be hard to read, but maybe someone can recognize it?

Cute medium size berry reindeer basket. It was new and still had a $15.00 Hallmark tag on it. SA price........$1.50.

This cute little childs chair was only $1.00!

They had a couple more things there I would have liked to have had but were marked too high. I hate that. I think it's all according to WHO is doing the pricing! After all, it is the Salvation Army!!!

Earring Organizer

2009-10-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

Hey, I saw this idea in a magazine a few years ago and it works perfectly in the small top drawers in my bathroom. If you can't tell, It's made from an empty large cardboard egg container (like 2 1/2 dozen). It works wonderfully and I even put the single earrings in that I have misplaced the match (in the hope of finding it one day). This idea would also be perfect for small craft items like beads and such. And the best part about it.....it was free, recycled, and the eggs were Delicious!!!!

Another wreath re-do

2009-10-27T11:57:00.000-05:00

This is another wreath I re-did this Fall. I picked it up at a local thrift store a couple weeks ago just like you see it in the picture below. I wanted it for a while, but they had it marked at like $9.95 at a thrift store!!! What are they thinking!!!! So I just waited, then asked NICELY (that's the key I think) if they might take less, since it had been there a while (another key). She said they would, and would I give $5.95. Still a little high to me, but it was a good size and I could use the grapes on it as well.

I left everything on it just like it was above.

Added more, including some of the orange ribbon stuff from my last wreath project....

And here it is on the front of my house, just pretend you don't see my husbands work truck on the side of the house (he was loading stuff from the back). Cute right?

This is just a little vignette in my yard. I've had this little chair forever! and it looked really cute with the little pumpkins I thought.

Claudie Bell singing with the Angels

2009-10-27T10:14:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody!!!!

This weekend has been a full one to say the least!!! My husband's last surviving Grandparent, his 'Grandmother', has gone to be with her Heavenly father and to receive her Reward for a life spent serving God. She was 90 and passed within minutes of us leaving her side Friday night. It's a joyous time... in that.... not only is her struggle her on Earth over, but several relationships are beginning to be restored due to the family fellowship over the weekend. I know Ms. Claudie Bell is proud! I didn't have the privilege of knowing Grandmother when she was healthy, but by all accounts, she was a strong woman when it wasn't cool to be. My husband's paternal Grandfather died when his dad was 12 years old and as I heard this weekend, they didn't have "a pot to pee in" (it was said a 'little' differently, LOL). She worked 2 jobs at a time to make ends meet and married again, years later when her kids were grown. She was so strong willed, that at Christmas, when we were there to visit her, she couldn't talk but she was smiling.... when she eased a little bell she had hid (from under her pillow) to show us. They thought they had hid it from her because she was driving everybody crazy ringing it when she wanted some attention! Also, a couple weeks ago, when no one thought she could get out of bed anymore, her daughter heard something down the hall. Not only was she out of the bed (with the bed rails up) she was using the baby gate (they had on her door to keep the cat out of the room) as a walker! She was coming to the kitchen to 'help' with dinner!!!! So she was a pistol till the end and will be missed by all.

I wanna thank everybody that has left me a comment!!! You are all so sweet!!!! I laughed out loud when I read the one about the songs. I know most of them are random, they just all are songs I love and they make me happy when I hear them. I've read that it's not such a good idea to have music on your blog and I might take it off later, but for now, I think I'll leave it on. If someone doesn't like it, it can be turned off.

Well OK, gotta get some work done, I'll be posting soon! Thank you all so much for following me!!! I hope I can continue to inspire and keep learning as I go! It's a rainy day here (not a Monday) but I'm not gonna let it get me down! LOL

Luv Me a Good Yard Sale!!!

2009-10-26T18:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, Saturday morning, on my way to school, I hit a wonderful yard sale! Not ONLY was I the first one there (whooooohoooooo!!!!), the people that were having it were so interesting!!!! They had been missionary's in Africa years ago and are getting ready to go back! I think I bought everything she was getting rid of that she had brought from their travels there! And you talk about cheap!!!! There's nothing worse to me than seeing things I love, want so bad, and would treasure, and them being out of my budget! So this one was a SCORE!!! I snapped some pictures of PART of my new treasures...........

Above is most of the things from Africa. My FAVORITE is the tray. She said a friend, a little old lady, had given it to her and it was made by her son. It is hand carved out of one piece of wood! It is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! It was.......are your ready?.........$2.00!!!!!!!! The baskets are made by hand and I got them for like $1 each (one might have been 50 cents)!!!! The candles were not made in Africa she said but I thought they blended well with the other stuff. They are really big candles and I can turn them around to the other side if I want to and it has a wilderness scene. I plan on burning them since I heard that an unburned candle is really sad looking. I burn all my candles now and its beautiful. I was always guilty of 'saving' them for company! Aren't we important too? I just try to find most of mine at yard sales so I don't feel like I'm 'burning' money! LOL. The 2 textiles in front are handmade as well and were 25 cents each I think and one is a hanging tapestry. I'll post it when I get it hung on the wall.

The pic above is a side and bottom view of the hand-carved tray.

Above is another shot of the baskets.

My goofy husband demonstrating how one of the baskets is to be used. He's so funny!

You can see on this pic how its made from one solid piece of wood.

This is a close up of some of the detail work on the inside of the tray.

More detail work.

Decorating books. 50 cents each.

Frames, some were 10 cents each. A small hot glue gun and new sticks, both $1.00, some small pine cones and filler for 10 cents I think. 2 metal marshmallow/wiener roasting sticks, both for $1.00

2 brand new feather pillows!!!! She said she had gotten them for a gift and had never used them!!! Wow!!! Hey, with 6 kids, pillows are a hot commodity at our house!!!!

As are sheets. Here are 2 full size sheets....and they were.....FREE!!!!! Awwwwww........don't judge me, we've all slept at hotels, the sheets are not new there!!!! After hot water and bleach....these will be great! And this woman was neat and clean, I woulda slept at her house!!!! LOL

These are a couple more of the books I got, one for devotions for the kids, 50 cents, and the other a vintage friend book for 10 cents that will be darling to pass on in a friend gift basket!!!

This was interesting, she said some of the Africans will make anything out of practically nothing. This box was made out of shoe polish tins. I thought one of my boys would like this for storing little treasures (you know boys.....rocks, little cars, pennies, frogs, LOL).

Here's another shot. It was 50 cents I think and also included with it was an elephant candle holder made out of the same material that I will try to post later.

There is some other things I got here that I will give for gifts, etc.

So, as you can see, I got some great things, and met some really wonderful, interesting people! Wow!!! I luv me a good yard sale!!!!

Wall Pocket for Fall

2009-10-23T16:05:00.000-05:00

I found this wall pocket at the Salvation Army for $2.50!!!

I practically skipped to the checkout when I found it and

quietly, non-chalantly eased into my buggy.

(you know these thrift store diva's have been known to snatch away a good bargain)!!!

I had had my eye on one at a wonderful specialty store downtown

and it was great, made from recycled tin.....

but it was $25.00!

NOT in my budget!!!

This one will work juuuuuusssssttttt fine!!!

All I did was stuff a few flowers and picks I had collected
(hobbly lobbly clearance, no less),
and a $1.00 scarecrow pic from Family Dollar
finished it off!!!!
This is on my front door and I love it!
The best part is, I can change it out for the seasons!!!!

2009-10-23T10:54:00.000-05:00

Here is a large grapevine wreath that I bought at a yard sale a couple weeks ago for $1.00. It was covered with hot glue and all kinds of 'yucky' stuff. I simply flipped it over the the other side, dug into my bin of artificial flowers I have accumulated through the years. I bought this cute scarecrow at Family Dollar for $4.00 and this roll of decor Poly (for the bow) for $6.99 (I used less that half the roll).

So whata ya think?

You really can't tell how big it is. I'll post a picture of it hanging on the wall.

I don't think it's bad at all for a total cost to make of about $7.50!!!!!!!

Here's the grapevine wreath I started out with.

2009-10-22T16:35:00.000-05:00

Here is the Southern Living at Home Hurricane I bought at a yardsale for $5.00, still in the box. The cute candle I bought at the same yard sale for $1.00. Just added some candy corn and it is soooo cute!!! I will change this little beauty up time and time again!!!

2009-10-22T16:13:00.001-05:00

The picture at the bottom is our living room mantle decorated for fall. Turkey Plate, Thrift Store $2.95. Southern Living At Home Hurricane on far left side, yard sale $5.00 still in the box, candle in it $1.00. Candleabra Christmas gift (love it). Metal Turkey on right $1.00. Had the red frame that I put an old mirror in for YEARS!!! It looks so ugly by itself!!!

The picture above is right before we moved into our house.

2009-10-22T13:27:00.000-05:00

OK, here goes..........My first Blog!!!!!! I'm so excited!!! OK................now I don't know what to say!!!! Nah.....I've always got something to say!!! I love a good thrift store and my car automatically stops at Yard Sales. I have no control over these things. Just the other night, my husband was going to get something out of my trunk and opened the trunk, then just closed it back and as he was walking away, shaking his head, I thought I heard him mumble something about me 'having a problem'. Thank the Lord he loves me and knows I can't do too much damage buying cheap, old stuff!

First thing I wanna state is that I'm gonna try to keep this real. If your anything like me, you have very full lives so we don't have a lot of time to do things as 'perfectly' as we would like (maybe when the kids are gone), ....which means a couple things.......you want fast, easy projects that you can do either when the kids are sleeping or when YOU should be. You are most likely creative which means you will understand and forgive me if something is misspelled or there is a shoe, dog, or Heaven forbid, a toy in some of my pics! Above all, I want to enjoy this, I want you to enjoy it too and want to come back time and time again!

So..... I'm super excited to get started! I'm going to start by posting some of the pics of my house, we just moved in a few months ago so I've got some 'before' shots when things were clean and it actually looked like we had some room!!!! Then, I've got several works in progress and lots of yard sale finds I want to share with you!!! There is nothing like that feeling you have when you have found something to buy that you love, is valuable or useful, or you know is 'exactly' right for a friend or loved one. My mom described it perfectly one time...She had found a wonderful old quilt in a thrift store for like $9.95. She said she "laughed all the way to the register". That's how I feel and I hope you do too!!!! So hold on....here we go......