Have I held you in suspense long enough?
I wish I could tell you I found an envelop of money in the drawers of Cecelia, but instead it was three BIG, Black Wolf spiders!!!!!!

The first one was found coming out of a drawer in my drive way as I hoisted Cecelia out of my jeep. (I was so thankful when I discovered the spider outside of my car and not IN my car especially as I was driving!!!!)
The second one also snuck out of one of the drawers while I was cleaning her off. But the third one ran across the floor in my sun room as I finally dislodged the two bottom drawers that were jammed shut.

The Wolf spiders move lightening fast! I was both surprised and horrified! Thankfully with help from my youngest we caught and ousted the last one.
I've been moving Cecelia all around the house for the best fit. First I had her in the sun room and then to my kitchen to add some color there. I used C.C. Caldwell's Chalk Paint on her to give her some nice shabby appeal. Do you like?

But now she is back in the sun room at the far end of my farm table. I like her there. Although lately I couldn't help but think of her as my dresser in my bedroom. Maybe another day (sigh).

I'm dying to show you these DARLING little suitcases I painted. I got them at the Luckett's Fair and used C.C. Caldwell's Chalk paint in Vintage White. I have a few more touches to add and I'll be sharing them here!
Take Care my friends!
Tammy

CECELIA

Warm and rainy greetings, dear friends!

I promised you a story on Cecelia! And a story you shall get!

Her story (yes, I'm referring to a piece of furniture! HA) begins one sunny morning when my mom called me up to take the girls for a couple hours. So I was left with the abrupt question of, "Now what do I do?" Have you Mothers ever been in that situation? So much of our lives are wrapped around our children. I love it immensely, but every once in awhile a break is WONDERFUL!

So I grabbed my bike and off I pedaled for a four mile trek. Along a stream, through some woods, all the while gazing at houses that had to cost anywhere from $500,000 and more. I love looking at pretty things and so it was all together peaceful and exhilarating. 
That's when I spotted her!
The For Sale Sign on the house said $780,000. That included a marble spiral stair and open floor plan with all the amenities. But I was looking beyond that...... to Cecelia.
In all her brown, matte finish, pushed disrespectfully among some weeds along the roadside she stood out gleaming to me. AND SHE WAS FREE!
"Lord, if you will please keep her here until I can pedal home, I will be back for her." Doesn't God delight in the desires of our heart? HE PUT THEM THERE!!
Without any thought to picking her up and getting her into my jeep, I pedaled hard and fast.
There she was waiting for me as patiently as when we first met. Did I really expect any less from God?

But what I didn't expect is what I found
inside her.
More on that in a few days!
LOVE,
Tammy

DIY LOVE

Hello Dear Friends -- 
I hope this summer has been treating you well!
I have been SO enjoying the hot sun on my bare skin. Have you noticed in your part of the world how the sun languishes long into the early evening, making friends wherever he goes? I am trying to catch every warm ray! 

In the midst of enjoying the sun, I've been working on a few DIY projects. I wish I had some before pictures to show you. This chair had a white, caned back which ripped through right after we brought her home from market. I was so dismayed! I got to thinking about some burlap bags I picked up at a hardware store for .50 cents.

I ripped out the old caning and hot glued in part of the burlap bag I cut out to fit. I hot glued some braiding from the fabric store and she was done. What do you think? 
I've named her Isabelle. I'm very excited about the transformation!

This is her sister. Her back has lasted fine, but the seat fell through! Can you believe it? My man cut me a new bottom out of plywood. I am waiting for my new ruffled "skirt" to fit her like on Isabelle.

In the meantime I put together this book page table runner. Isn't she a beauty? I'm so excited about it! Her yellowed pages look perfect running down the long white farm table. They were meant to be! HA!

Since we are on the topic of book pages, I wanted to show you my book page wreath I made. It's my first one. I really like how it turned out! 
In the next post I want to share with you the story of Cecelia. She is my new blue dresser.
If there was ever a gift, she would be it. More to come! 
Love,
tammy

Hello Lovely Ladies --
I am just celebrating a Fabulous Spring day here in the Northeast. 82 degrees with an easy breeze. I so enjoyed hanging out on the patio with my three year old niece. What a priviledge and blessing!

I'm a little giddy over our new living room color. I've been longing to go all white throughout the house. My husband labored for a whole weekend until he got it just right. He's a perfectionist! I'm thankful. I am not!
I was so excited to get all the furniture and accessories back into the space. What do you think? Do you like it?

I love this shot with my chalkboard wall that leads into our kitchen. I've often thought of taking this wall out so it's all one big room. Don't think my honey will go for that.

Recently Beth Moore was in our area and I went to see her. It was fabulous, of course. I loved this sign at the event.

I hope you are enjoying some warm temperatures and balmy breezes wherever you call home.
Blessings,
Tammy

Spring!
Doesn't it put a bounce in your step? The clouds have moved apart to reveal the sun.
It's warm on your skin. You could just bask in it. And you do.
I feel like a sunflower at times that turns a yellow head to face the sun. I just want that warmth to refresh me. It's been so long.
Do you ever feel that way in life? The warm Spring sun reminds me of God's goodness. Of how he cares about me. Really cares about me and you!
I was given a devotional book recently called, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Have you seen it? I'm hearing wonderful things from people of how they have been refreshed by the energizing words that the author speaks. She uses Bible verses to speak hope and joy and peace.

Listen to this: " I love you regardless of how well you are performing.Sometimes you feel uneasy, wondering if you are doing enough to be worthy of my love. No matter how exemplary your behavior, the answer to that question will always be no. Your performance and My love are totally different issues ... I love you with an everlasting love that flows out from eternity without limits or conditions."  As you can tell the author writes as if Jesus Himself is spaking directly to you. She ends each mini lesson with scripture verses that you can look up.

 I encourage you to get a copy! It will warm your soul like the sun on a fresh, Spring day.

I had to share my birthday cake with you. I wish you were right hear to have a piece. My sweet man made this zebra cake for me. Isn't he sweet!

Take care my friends!
Tammy

Satisfied!

Happy Spring, dear friends!

I wanted to share with you this warm and yummy dish I made tonight. It's one of those MEAT AND POTATOES meals that (all the) men I know want their wives to make. Trust me, ladies! This one is a keeper! Your guys will love you for it!
Now, I had to keep the cheese part of the meal a secret until after my man ate his fair share. Why? He is not a fan of swiss cheese. I never thought I was either.
But this ham and potato casserole changed all that!
Even my youngest daughter assured us repeatedly (when she saw it) that she didn't like it. (she had it once before) But somehow magically, she devoured not one, but two portions!
It's that good folks! When the kids and the husband like it, in my book, that's a keeper!!
So if you want this recipe, leave me a comment. I'll be sure to get it to you!

Enjoy your week!
Tammy

In Hot Pursuit

Dearest Friends  --
I've just learned something so wonderful I had to share it with you! 
Like, as soon as I read it!
Think back to when you were pursued. Chased. (not by a dog or police man. Think good thoughts!)
Stick with me here, this is so good I'm a bit giddy about it!
Are you remembering a guy you were sweet on when you were in school or college? Wasn't it wonderful to get his phone calls? His notes.  How about when he would drop by or give you unexpected surprises?
Weren't those times pure joy. You looked forward to his next advance. And the next.
And he was in hot pursuit!

Well, get this. God is in hot pursuit of you and me. Read Psalm 23:6 . "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life..."  To follow in the Hebrew is the word radaph. It means to run after. To chase. To pursue. TO HUNT YOU DOWN!
Are you getting this? God's goodness, his love (HE IS LOVE!!!) is pursuing you. He's hot on your trail.
Let this sink in ladies. Meditate on this. Rejoice in this very thought.
Our God, the very God of the universe seeks to follow you passionately. He loves you!! 
WOOHOOOOOO!!! Are you squeeling with me?
This is going to carry me through the next several days!! Maybe weeks. I'm like that.
Be blessed!
Tammy

If you are interested in reading more about Radaph visit A Holy Experience and read Ann Voskamp's full account of this wonderful word!

Fluffing

Hello Dear Friends --
How are you?

One of my favorite places to hang out is our local book store. They have a cozy cafe, which always seems full, and lots of decorating magazines and books to linger over for free!

I usually keep a small notebook in my bag just for writing down the ideas I see. Some ideas I go home and create into the late hours of the evening, others I put on my to do list.

Since this picture I painted a number five on my apple crate and changed out the desk chair to my white cane chair. It's amazing what the smallest detail will do.

We are supposed to be painting our living room and hallway area white this Spring. I keep debating it. I like the rich mocha color. But I've always dreamed of a creamy white and shabby living room. My furniture is a deep olive-brown micro fiber. I would love to cover it in white slip covers but I think that it would be more cost effective to buy new furniture. That's not going to happen!

Until then I keep pondering how I can make my own slip covers out of white drop cloths. I'm not a sewer! HA!

I love my new grey washed Paris clock. Not much else to say. (sigh)

She makes me happy.
What makes you happy?

Tammy

She's Down

Hi Friends --

Have you put Christmas away? 

Normally I'm all gung ho about getting the tree down the very next day. (That's because it's usually up sometime in early November!) HA!  This year was different. We went for our real tree about seven - 10 days later than normal. I was just behind! Ya know? 

I took the Christmas tree down yesterday.  I lingered as long as possible to stare at her beautiful, twinkling lights. The tree always gets me that way. Beautiful. Romantic. Not to mention the fragrance. A pine scent better than candles! Ahhhhhhhh!

Saturday I put the ornaments away. The tinsel and fake wrapped packages.

Away went the garland.

The Christmas teapot.

Snowman nutcrackers and wooden soldiers.

And then away went Mary and Joseph.

 "Mom did you put Jesus away?" 

"Girls, I put baby Jesus away for another year."  Pause. "But He still lives daily in my heart."

I can talk to Him moment by precious moment.


I can sit and linger as I read His Word. (Like sipping a cup of coffee. Enjoying it's rich flavor)

I am engaged with Him as I read.

His presence is felt.

Sometimes I'm there because I want to continue my "habit" of being alone with Him.

Sometimes I don't "feel" his presence, but I know He is always with me.

How sweet is that?

So to answer the question, I can never put Jesus away.
 He is always with me. He will never forsake me. And He will never forsake you. Just ask Him to come in to your heart today.  It's the best decision you can make for a brand new year.

New Year Blessings, My Friends --
Tammy

She's Up!

Christmas Greetings Everyone --

We finally got our Christmas tree last Saturday! Is anyone else a little behind like I am? It's unusual for us to have our tree up so late in the season. Oh well. It's up now! Today we strung the outside lights and glory of all glories.....it is snowing right now!!! Big, billowy snowflakes flying through the sky. It's so beautiful looking out the window! And they are coming fast!! Lots of them. WOHOOO!!!!!
Earlier this week I made dozens of cookies.... chocolate, peppermint brownie bites, chocolate chip; chocolate chip caramel; blueberry oatmeal bars and chocolate chip bars. Can you tell we have a little chocolate chip thing goin' on? HA!
More pictures to come as I download them from the computer. Until then .... enjoy the season whereever it might find you.
Love,
Tammy

Little by Little Part I

Christmas Greetings Ya'll!

(I've got a little Southern twang goin' on!) smile.

How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was good. I've taken a few notes for next year though. More serving spoons. Somehow we just didn't have enough. Probably too many in the dishwasher. HA!

I am so loving the way my fireplace mantle came out this year. You've seen the clip boards with pictures on them, right? I downloaded a copy of chalkboard Christmas art I found somewhere online, and attached that so easily to my clipboard. Also a recent purchase is the apothecary jar that I've been admiring for years. I finally bought one. Maybe someday I'll have three. HA!
The two vintage windows are a gift from a house - builder friend. So Love Those!! I also love the collection of little Christmas trees and especially the vintage - like cider jar we hauled home from a trip to South Carolina two years ago. It was one of those super cute farmers markets with tractor-churned ice cream.Y.U.M.

still looking for a miniature '50's truck to load a tree on top of to complete this vignette!!

I've been working hard on painting Christmas trees. YUP! You read that right! It seems they are all the rage at a little antique market I've recently visited. I'm trying to duplicate them. I'll have pictures coming soon! Plus another vignette that came about over an evening and morning. OH! I almost forgot. I finally painted some of my brown baskets with some paint too! Now they are all vintage-hipped out. Pictures coming soon!!

Hope you are enjoying the season!!

Warmly,
Tammy

 

Little by Little ...

Hello!
Have you happily begun your decorating? I so enjoy this time of year when I can pull out all my Christmas decorations again and see what I've kept hidden away all year. 
That in itself is like opening gifts!
I am excited to share with you what I have been doing. This series, Little by Little, will showcase some vignettes I've been working on.
I've never really had an ample Christmas supply. What I've had has been sufficient, but each year I find myself wishing I had a few more pieces for here and there. This year on a recent trip to Lucketts, Virginia I scored not only a fabulous piece for everyday, but a whole load of fabulous ideas. Thanks to my sister's camera phone, we photo journaled all these wonderful ideas and over the next several weeks will try to copy some of them.

I plan to share those creative ideas with you here as I include them in my little vignettes throughout the house.

This is my silver plated dish that I found at Lucketts Antiques. It was love at first sight. I don't know if you can tell, but the two little dish compartments are attached. Does anyone have a name for this kind of dish? I just love it, but don't know what to call it. For Thanksgiving we put some candies in it and the kids enjoyed helping themselves! 

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the Christmas season.

Until the next time we meet here,

Tammy

                                                

These are my cuties! Recently I went on a ladies retreat and Daddy had them for the weekend. They were into all kinds of craziness. Like climbing tall peaks and leaning out over where the sun doesn't shine! HA! I would have been a little nervous had I been there. But since I wasn't, all was well!!
Really, they were fine. This area is known for migrating raptors. Hundreds and Thousands of them!

Unfortunately, this day, they were few and far between.

A few days ago we went to a local corn maze. What a blast. This place is so creative in their use of tires and hay bales and thousands of corn stalks and bamboo.

A wonderful way to wrap up October and look forward to Thanksgiving and beyond!

Enjoy the season!
Tammy

Local Artists

My girls and I have been busy crafting these days!

Usually by now the weather is cooler and we are hunkering down for continued cooler weather to come. But this autumn season has been a wonderful mixture of 70's and 80's. My kind of weather!

Nonetheless, we are thinking and painting Fall things to remind us of the time of year.

I love their colorful pumpkins. We just finished an African adventure to the Congo and made face masks. We watched wide-eyed as wildebeests crossed the dangerous Mara River to get to the Serengeti plains in Africa.  It's wonderful how you - tube can transport you to another continent in seconds!

I love visiting Farmers Markets year round. There's nothing like picking some crisp and sweet apples right from the tree. Or taking a hay wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to score a fat pumpkin or two.

Be blessed friends!!
I hope you are having a wonderful Fall where ever you are!
Tammy