Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Tuesdays seem to come quickly so I in turn quickly snapped some pictures to share at Marty'sBlog.

Today's pictures are of my hall tree next to the front door. 

The little black hats belonged to my paternal grandmother.  The brightly colored vintage umbrella was Aunt Marie's along with the white gloves.  Aunt Marie was not related by blood only by love and I settled her estate when she had to move into assisted living.

The lamp was a wonderful find at our Salvation Army.





At the bottom is a Thomas Kincaid teapot that says, "home is where the heart is" and I sure believe that. 

 The teacup says "grandmother" and it goes together with the teapot just like cream and sugar.

Home Sweet Home the box says it all . . .

Thanks for coming by.

Monday Homekeeping

By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off.
    --Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Isn't that quote true! To add a note of humor here let me tell you what Precious Husband said this morning.  After eating breakfast and seeing the morning dishes and disarray on the counters Precious Husband turns to me and said, " I don't know how you do it.  Clean the kitchen only to do it again and again and again."  Trying to be an appreciative encouraging wife I came back at him with how he has to go to work everyday, day in and day out and never complains.  "Yes, but I am retiring next year!"

Yep, there is a lot of truth too in the little saying, grandpa is retired but grandma is just plain tired.  But, it is a good tired!  If you know what I mean : )

Happy Mother's Day

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her  Proverbs 31:28

Want to wish all the mothers and wives (hubbys sometimes need mothering too) out there a happy Mother's Day.  Mother is by far the most wonderful title in the world next to Mémère of course.  Both our daughters, Michelle and Danielle are wonderful mothers to their precious children.  We are very blessed.

I have spaghetti sauce simmering in the crock pot and the small glass things all put away in preparation for our 4 youngest grandchildren coming today to spend the weekend.  It will be the first time I have had all four at one time here to care for.  The baby is 14 months and the oldest is 6 1/2.  When I go there things are babyized and the kids know their routine and boundaries but here it will be another story.  Not to sound negative at all though cause I am really excited about having them all weekend.  Hopefully their Mom and Dad will get some quality time together which is long overdue.

Have a blessed weekend.

Be Like The Sunflower

 We have a sunflower that came up in a pot close to the bird feeder.  It is growing so fast and appears so healthy.  I have watched our little plant in amazement as it follows the sun.  When I get up it has its' face turned toward the east and by noon it is standing straight and tall.  When I start closing the curtains in the evening it is reaching to the west viewing the sunset.  Such a neat object lesson as it is encouraging me to follow the Son each day and be willing to grow and bend and yield as He directs. 

Psalms 113:3 NIV From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised

Psalms 84:11 NIV For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalms 148:3 NIV  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

 

 

Obeying Precious Husband

Just had an "I love you" call from Precious Husband between appointments.  He asked what I was doing and I had to be truthful and admit I am not motivated and have not been for several weeks for some unknown to me reason.  He had good advice for me which I hope to share later but one thing I will share now.  He said, "Go do your blog".  Isn't that sweet, a husband that encourages you in what you find fun to do.

Lack of motivation seems to include my blog too so will just share couple of pics and get going.  On our long weekend I found 2 books by oldest daughter's favorite author, Erma Bombeck.  So this morning I tied them up with my signature lace and set them aside for the next time we get to see her - hopefully in July.

So I am off now to put into practice the good advice Precious Husband gave me and get busy - with renewed motivation.

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Again this week I am linking to Marty's Table Top Tuesday blog showing off my treasures found while we were away this weekend.  I had a ball accompanied by Precious Husband scouting out lots of antique and thrift stores in Prescott. 

I love to have something I am looking for while junking and this weekend I had salt and pepper shakers on the list.  The first antique shop turned up a set of shakers and a neat little piece that I am putting Precious Husband's new favorite vanilla caramel coffee creamer into.  Isn't it cute.  First one I have ever ran across.

Also found a candle holder in my Star of David pattern.   Normally you see them in pairs for around $45 or more and I found just one which is fine with me and it was only $6.50. 

A fun find was another yellow bowl for the grandkids.  Have found almost all I need now.

Before we headed home we made one last stop at another antique store and there I hit the jackpot with vintage linens.  I found a "vintagie soft" white and yellow tablecloth with 6 napkins and 9 precious old hankies at a very small price.  Whahooo!  Love the touch of little waffle weave like inserts in the tablecloth.  It is prettier than shows in the picture of course.

Later I will share about the darling teapot I found for a spring table and also sweet teacup.  All in all I had a lot of fun finding treasures to add to the ambiance of our home.

Headed Home

It's nice to get away but even nicer to go home!  We are headed home today after spending the weekend in Prescott.  Had lots of fun walking through the antique stores and finding some treasures. 

The pictures are of my cactus that opened its beautiful flowers Saturday morning before we left home.  Nothing more gorgeous than a cactus flower but unfortunately they don't have a long life so we enjoy them while we can and take lots of pictures :

Tomorrow I will link up with Marty at a Stroll Through Life and share some pics of the treasures I found this weekend.  Fun.

Weekend with Precious Husband

Love this picture.  Precious Husband sent it to my phone earlier this year when I was back in Kentucky helping our daughter out.  He sent the picture and said he was having coffee by the pond and missed me.  Ahhhh!  That's why I love this man!

Another reason I love my Precious Husband is that he made plans for us to go away for a few days of R&R.  Leaving first thing in the morning.  Looking forward to hitting any thrift stores we see along the way and also a couple big antique stores where we are headed.  Yep, he is wonderful about walking through treasure shops with me.  What more could a girl ask for?

So I am packing the suitcase today and getting the love basket ready for a get-away.  Fun!

Gift of Curtains

Just a year or so before we moved into our new home I purchased a set of curtains for my family room.  I really liked the curtains and especially since they were relatively new I wanted to use them in the new family room too but with several more windows here I did not have enough.  I checked Target where I bought them even though I doubted they would still carry them and I was right - no curtains.  Well, here is the point of my blog today to give the Lord praise for one of the little things that He delights my heart with.

I was out junking in one of my favorite thrift stores when I found them.  My curtains!  Like new too! I was so excited and gathered up the panels I found.  Counting them I found that I was short 2 panels.  My first thought was I will take these and just put a coordinating curtain in my adjoining kitchen but then I decided to walk back over to the domestic area of the store and look again.  Sure enough on another shelf I found 2 more panels. 

May not seem like a big deal but it is these little things that touch my heart and make me say, "Thank You Jesus!"  God loves to bless His children and He is interested in the little things too.

The Kitchen Window

Our previous home of nearly 25 years did not have a window in the kitchen and I always missed that detail.  Our new home on the contrary has a big window above my kitchen sink and I so enjoy it.  There is a plant growing well that I started from cuttings and it threatens to take over the wide sill.  My African Violet seems healthy enough but so far is refusing to flower.  Then in the middle of the window is my little oil lamp.  This is another one of my objects with a story.  A special story.

When Jason was young (before we adopted Anthony and added Precious Husband to the mix) we invited another single mother and her daughter to join us for a Saturday road trip.  We headed to Oak Creek Canyon to picnic and see the colors of fall.  We also went into the crafty town of Jerome.  While driving to Jerome I shared with my friend Nancy about a special sermon I had heard based on Isaiah 64:8 and we chatted back and forth about the verse.  Jerome is an old ghost town that is now a tourist attraction for arts and crafts.  As we walked through one large two story building Jason ran ahead of us.  All of a sudden he came running back to us all excited and telling us to hurry we had to see something.  There was a young man sitting at the potter's wheel making oil lamps.  Jason was so excited because he had listened to my friend and I sharing about the potter's wheel and there it was for him to actually see.  Needless to say I had to purchase an oil lamp from the young artist at the potter's wheel. 

My oil lamp sits in my kitchen window and flickers brightly as I wash dishes in the evening and always brings fond memories of when God so perfectly put together a wonderful road trip with a precious souvenir as a reminder of His delightful goodness to me.

Fun With The Grandkids!

I am off to spend the day with my grandkids so there is nothing on the to-do list other than have fun.  Taking some of yesterday's strawberry jam to them and thought it would be fun to take the bread machine along too.  If I start the bread when I get there the kids can have fresh from the oven (well okay the machine) hot oatmeal bread smothered with butter and strawberry jam for their lunch.  Yes, I do love cooking for my grandkids!

Monday's To Do List

Monday means the usual general over-haul of the house and a load of laundry for sure.  Lets see now about the rest of the to-dos hoping to become ta-das.  First I need to find a recipe and turn some strawberries into jam.  Have to run up to town and pay a bill too or Precious Husband said I would be in trouble.  Jason helped me with the weeds in the yard but there are still some more that need extracted from the fertile soil.  Is there ever an end to weeds really?  Yes, I think it will be a full day.  We do have plans to meet friends from Sunshine Acres for coffee tonight so that will be a nice way to end the day.  Hope you too will have a good week filled with lots of ta-das.

First Impressions

You know what they say, "you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression" or something like that : )  Your front door, front porch, front entrance is the first thing people see when they approach your home.  For that reason you need to remember to keep it in tidy, clean and attractive condition.  This is an area I often forget as I go about my homekeeping tasks.  All of a sudden I look down at the welcome mat and it is covered in dust and dry leaves that have blown in from the great beyond.

 



So I make note to myself: check the front porch and take the broom with you!  You only get one chance to make a good impression : ) 

Truth and Wisdom

Proverbs 22:17    Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. * There are three prerequisites for learning truth and wisdom. And they are not listed in any college handbook. You must first humble yourself to admit you are ignorant; you must then stop thinking and talking, so you can be taught by those wiser than you; and then you must love and commit to what you are taught. This process guarantees learning!  * Good notes on this here.

Daily Bread on the Kitchen Counter

It has become a practice of late to keep one of my Bibles on my kitchen island.  It makes it so simple to read a verse here and there as I spend time in the kitchen.  I have read that Ruth Graham (Mrs. Billy Graham) did this when she was busy raising 5 young chlldren with her husband traveling much of the time.    With an empty nest my time is not limited like it was with Mrs. Graham but I simply like doing this and enjoying spiritual nourishment from my kitchen as I go about my day.

Each day I try to read one of the Proverbs (31 days - 31 Proverbs).  Some gems in today's reading:

Proverbs 21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Proverbs 21:23 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 

 

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Again this week I am linking up with Marty at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com for her Table Top Tuesday Vignettes. 

My pictures are of an oak desk and book shelves that stands in my dining room next to my china hutch.  The desk was a find at our Salvation Army thrift store.  I had spotted the desk while out junking one afternoon and it caught my eye because the oak matches several other pieces I have and I liked the combo desk and shelves.  The next day while in the area with my Precious Husband I told him about the desk and he wanted to know why I didn't get it.  Two answers came quickly to mind - I don't need it and where would I put it anyway.  Precious Husband could tell I did want the desk so off to Salvation Army we went.  Oh, yes I forgot the good part of this story.  The price on the desk was $99 which is a good price for such a piece of furniture around our area.  But still I didn't need a desk and where would I put it?  So I stood in front of the desk at the store and hemmed and hawed.  Finally Precious Husband took the tag and went up to the desk to make the purchase knowing his wife as he does.  Would you believe, unbeknown to me everything was half-price that day and the desk went home with us for $49.50  Wahoooo!

I like the special woodwork detail on the front of the desk.  Precious Husband always answers my question of where would I put it? with, "I know you, if you want it you will find a place for it" and I did : )

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

 

http://free-stock-photos.com/

Linking up with Lisa for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday at  http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/  to share the most wonderful in the world marinade.  I found this recipe at the home of a delightful AZ blogger named Lylah.  Go here for the recipe.  I use it on steak and it is just wonderful.  I go heavy on the garlic cause we love the taste!  

Living in Arizona we grill nearly year round.  Grab a few ingredients and try this marinade -- you won't be disappointed.  Let me know what you think if you try it and I will pass along the yummy reviews to Lylah too.

One Man's Trash Another Man's Treasure

One of my to-do projects is to start a journal and in it write about the "things" around my home.  I often wonder when my kids are around if they look at things and wonder things like: what in the world, wonder why this is so important to Mom, and where did she come up with this?  So I thought in this journal I would just take time and tell what the attraction is about some of my treasures.

My father's rocking chair for instance has been in the family forever handed down from father to son several generations back.  My brother is not sentimental nor was he interested in the chair when Daddy died so Mom gave it to me.  Wish I had been smart enough as a young child to question my Grandmother about it and be able to tell my son just how far back it really goes.  My oldest son was the only grandchild when my Dad passed away.  Jason makes it clear that the chair is his someday.  So I guess in this case it will be handed down from mother to son.

The silverware we use daily has a story too.  When I was a very young girl my Mother's mother was visiting one day and came across a big box filled to over-flowing with Betty Crocker coupons.  Grandma turned to me and said, "Your Mom is never going to do anything with these so let's see about getting silverware for your hope chest."  That is how I came to have My Rose by Onieda silverware.  Now you know.

Maybe if I write things down in the journal the kids will at least read about the item and have a little more information before they pitch it all at the Goodwill when I am gone : ) 

Another benefit of my journal besides enlightening the children and grandchildren is that it is very heart warming to sit down and reminisce over paper all the memories behind the object that makes me smile.

I do need to move this intention closer to the top of my to-do list.

Another Daughter

In my short time as a new blogger you have heard me mention two daughters so far.  Well, there is another daughter that I would like to mention today.  This daughter was born in my heart instead of being carried under it.  When we are out together and she introduces me to someone she introduces me only as "my mom".  We get funny looks after the intro because you see Connie is black, she is African American and I am white with lots of brown polka dots.  She is also almost 4 years older than I am too.  With those two noticeable differences we do get funny looks but that is okay.  We both get a good laugh about it.  Connie truly is the daughter of my heart.

I met Connie about 15 years ago when I had the honor of teaching women in a discipleship program at Church on the Street (COTS) in Phoenix, AZ.  I was the first face she came into contact with when she arrived at the program and somehow we just clicked.  I am so glad we did.  Connie went on to marry a young man that went through the same program and they just celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary.  Together they are a very precious couple.  Connie ministers for the Lord in the work place as a CNA with one of our local hospice organizations and she is very good at what she does.  I am very proud of my daughter!  A week from next Monday is her birthday.   

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Connie

Happy birthday to you!
(I love you lots and lots!)

The link to Church on the Street (COTS) seems to be down right now but in future blogs I want to share more about this amazing ministry and what a blessing it has been in my life.  So stay tuned as they say : )

(edited 4/19 COTS link is good now)

Light in the Window

For as long as I can remember I have had a light burning in my front window.  No one has ever asked about it.  The kids have never said anything nor even our very observant grandchildren.  Maybe they just know that Mémère's light burning in the window means there is lots of love and a warm greeting inside no matter the day or time.  I sure hope so.  More than anything I want our home to be a refuge to any and all.  I hope they know.

My Favorite Meal - Chicken Fingers

When I go out to eat with Precious Husband more than likely I will order Chicken Fingers -- they are just my all time favorites -- well, next to Mexican food at least.

Some time back I discovered Panko bread crumbs and now we have chicken fingers at home almost as good as Chili's (where they serve my very favorite).

Panko crumbs are Japanese bread crumbs and they just are the greatest thing since well, sliced bread of course.  I use them to make wonderful fried fish.  Everything I make comes out picture perfect with the crumbs.  I tell you they are just wonderful.  I have even been known to buy them and give to a friend with the recipe for chicken fingers.  Yep, the friend agreed they are a keeper.

Go pick up some Panko and see for yourself what wonderful chicken fingers you can make for your family.

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Today I am linking to Marty at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com to join in her Table Top Tuesday feature.  I just recently found some Arizona blogging gals and Marty is one that I have since followed.  She has lots of pretties to see when you visit.

My table top is actually a cutout (one of three) in the wall of our family room.  I usually have a seasonal theme going on in this space and want to share pictures of my spring vignette here with you today.

The picture is not very good but the white ceramic plate with a cover is for serving bread (hidden behind it are a stack of small plates that match on an iron plate holder).  I found this serving piece at Home Goods and loved it.  Later I was visiting Mary and discovered in her pictures that there are several more pieces like this.  So now the hunt is on for the butter server.  Just the butter server and I will be a happy camper.  Not too much to ask is it?  Every so often I stop again at Home Goods in hopes that this piece may show up.  The thing about Home Goods is you never know what you will find.  The fun is definitely in the hunt!  Check out Mary's tea blog for wonderful posts and gorgeous eye candy.  Check here and you will see the object of my recent hunt.

The teapot and matching cup were found at Cracker Barrel several years ago.  I had two cups but one got broke and because it was a good break  : )  it is now part of our guest room decor shown below.

Hope you enjoyed my Table Top Tuesday vignette.  This is so much fun!
 

My Office - My Sanctuary

Self-discipline for me is getting up at 5:30 a.m. and taking my coffee straight to my little office each morning.  The day that starts this way is so much better and I am so much happier with myself when I do it.  Unfortunately this ritual does not take place as consistently as I would like it to.  I am just being honest here.  I do struggle with this particular discipline.

So much for true confession.  Now about my office - my personal sanctuary.  I found this quote today that expresses my feelings about my office perfectly, Jane Austen writes “Her plants, her books…her writing desk…were all within reach…she could scarcely see an object in that room which had not an interesting remembrance connected with it.”

Yes, my office is full of things that make me smile and cause me to reflect and remember and to be encouraged.  On the bookshelves are little things that others probably wonder what in the world? but to me they are very special.  They have a personal story.  My office is full of books.  Bibles and books about Christian living, family, and home.  Books that encourage me in my daily attempts at being a godly woman.  My text books for the career I have desired more than any other.  I am so thankful to be a full time wife and mother -- domestic engineer and domestic warrior of Precious Husband's and my home.

As a side note here, today's proverb I took note of was Proverb 12:4 and it says an excellent wife is a crown to her husband . . .  Yes, I desire to be a crown to my Precious Husband!

Well, I am rambling here I think so I better quit.  I hope you take some time today in your sanctuary and find refreshment for your heart.

Check This Out

Melissa wrote a great blog today at Resting Place. Go check it out -- great post!

http://melissaroddey.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-path-to-life-is-free.html