From somebody's trash to my treasure. I like to re-style & re-create what was once a cast off. Isn't that what Jesus does with us?


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

birthday presents for me

I am thrilled!!!For so long I have been eying up these wonderful eat napkins at Lemonade Makin' Mama. I was debating if I should spend the money at all. I tried to make them myself. HA! I used regular stamping ink and some cool rubber letters I picked up on clearance and pulled out some canvas drop cloth. My grandma hemmed all eight pair for me and they looked pretty good. Until I washed them! The ink has really lightened and the couple I made without hemming have frayed terribly. The frayed ones went to the rag bag. So I kept going back to Lemonade Makin' Mama's website pining after these professionally done napkins. Hers are silk screened and are so crisp. Finally a few days ago I splurged (after all my birthday is just around the corner I told myslef!) and bought not one set, but TWO!! Afterall, I need eight for my farm table. They just came today and I couldn't wait another second....we used them tonight! L.O.V.E.L.Y.

So then just tonight I found this wonderful fashion blog, Pink Peonies. SOOOO CUTE! I have been looking for just the right pink rain boots for some months now. I wanted it to match my bright pink umbrella I bought not long ago at Target. I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES!! Nordstrum has a half price sale on rain boots right now. IN FUSHIA!! You bet I ordered them. Lickety Split, baby!!! They are on there way even as I type! WOOHOOO! How's that for a little pre-birthday celebration? hee hee
I'll be sportin' the pink boots soon!


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Nature Prose


The cool woods sat lonely beckoning me in. My eyes lingered, shielded from  the blazing sun. It had already managed to burn red into the creases on my forehead.
The tall cedars looming before me would be  a respite. “Too much time in the sun,” my grandma would say, “Gives you brown and leathery skin.” Not to mention wrinkled and old- looking, my thoughts echoed in response. I was sure if I had had that conversation out loud, the flickers and chickadees would have went on drumming and chirping. 
They didn’t seem to be bothered by my light tread on the old mulch trail. The sun was behind me. I rushed toward the shade of the looming cedar trees and reached out my hand to tame a dancing butterfly. She danced around me, playfully wanting me to keep playing her game. Her bright yellow wings and long black body reminded me of the burning sun I left behind. The woods were a haven for now. I pulled at the cap on my water bottle. Water, so cool and clean, I could certainly enjoy it now. I leaned against a dogwood and burrowed the toe of my weathered Birkenstocks into a small hole in the base of the tree. 
 A possum or maybe a wayward fox was eagerly gnawing away at the aged bark. I wondered how much of the forest floor was scurried away by animals eager  to build their Spring habitats. Maybe the cracked black walnut shells and empty acorns would lead me to a creature’s home. I was intrigued by  the creation rolled out like a carpet before me. My curiosity would carry me further into the woods...

Recently we took a wonderful nature walk, observing God's good creation. This little piece above is my response to all that I saw and imagined could be.  Just thought I'd share (smile).  By the way, the photos are from a trip to South Africa that some friends took and glady shared with me.


Saturday, March 24, 2012

Spring Fling

I have eagerly embraced Spring and am all about the warm weather! Though today was a particularly rainy and stormy day in South Central PA, it was a good day to make a few little changes to the house. I love this picture of my girls. When I look at this picture of them, I feel like they are right there.
This little white table and chairs was given to us by Julie (thanks Juls!) I was delighted at how cute it looks in our youngest daughter's bedroom. This was the perfect touch for her. She loves sitting at it and playing with her dolls or crafting.
We just celebrated my mom's 67th birthday! She does not look 67 at all! We went with a garden and bird theme. I used these cute little bird nests on each plate and these lovely flowering Maple branches from our tree in the backyard to add a pop of Spring color.
We had some wonderful Spring visitors this week too. Much to my surprise I look out my front door just as we are starting our school day, and there on our front lawn are three beautiful mallard ducks. Two male and one female. We spent the next 20 minutes throwing every last morsel of bread to them that we had. The girls and I were beside ourselves with joy.
They were very friendly birds and came almost to our front porch to greet us. This male was very protective of his female and barely left her side. We kept praying them off the road as they wandered that way.
Finally hovering just above some trees at our neighbors were some more mallards and when our ducks saw them, up they flew. We figured the Lord just gave our ducks a little break in our front yard so we could observe them for our science lesson that day! What fun!
Have a happy weekend!


Monday, March 19, 2012

Fashion Forward

Hello Dear Friends --
I've been a little giddy lately about a party I'm going to soon. My dear friend Julie is having a sleep-over, 40th birthday party at a beautiful bed and breakfast. I made a little list of some shopping I want to do.
  • Yummy, cozy pj's. 
  • A fabulous dress. 
  • And some slinky heels. 
I've managed to get one thing on my list: TA- DA ... my jammies! I love them. They are so cozy!
 I also bought this fabulous necklace that I hope I can find a dress to match. Ha! Usually it's supposed to be the other way around (smile).
It's hard to tell here, but it's three strands of pearls and this pouffy little flower hanging off the one side. So feminine. So beautiful. I hope to find my dress and shoes soon and I'll be sure to share those! It's been so long that I have shopped for myself. But these are a few other goodies that I have picked up in the last couple weeks.
Cute, pink sneaks from Target.
Wedge sandals that go with most everything ... and last but not least .....
my yummy, fushia trimmed umbrella! I've always shared an umbrella - black - with my husband, and now this is my very own. It's wonderful to find some things that make you feel beautiful, isn't it? 
Hope you are enjoying your week!


Monday, March 12, 2012

Dinner Tonight

Oh, hello friends! 
I am preparing for a wonderful week of meals! This is always a battle I fight: knowing what to make and making something that everyone enjoys. It's not so much the making of the meal, I like cooking. It's the routine and running out of fresh ideas. But tonight I am prepared! Hooray! 
Monday - Chicken Mexican Wraps: chicken cooked in the crock pot with salsa and taco seasoning. Wrapped in flour tortillas and loaded with lettuce, a little cheese and maybe a touch more salsa. Oh, and don't forget the chips!
Tuesday - Chicken Salad sandwiches: Crock pot cooked chicken, shredded and cooled. Pecans, grapes, mayonnaise, salt and pepper and onions. I made this fresh this morning so all the goodness will meld together until dinner tomorrow night. This just speaks to me of a great Spring time meal. I feel the sunshine already!
Wednesday - Chicken Bundles - I know, I know. Enough chicken already, but I'm on a roll! Ha! Shredded chicken (cooked in the crockpot - how did you know?) and loaded into crescent rolls with a tablespoon or two of cream cheese. Wrap those little guys up and bake in the oven with some fresh parsley on top! YUM!
Thursday - Bar-B-Q
Friday - Pizza Casserole

Three of these recipes are new to us. At the end of the week I'm going to have everyone vote on their favorite and we'll celebrate with rainbow sherbert for a treat!
Have a Yummy week.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Hang or Lean?

I've had this beautiful picture for some time now without a frame. Finally, I looked at my old, blue, chippy shutter and then back to my picture. A marriage was made!
I wanted to get your opinion. Do you think I should hang the shutter on the wall? Or do you like it leaning up on my fireplace mantle? I haven't tried hanging it yet. It's pretty heavy. I'm sure Honey will do it though if I ask. He's that kind of guy! (sigh!)

Have a beautiful weekend!
Tammy