The First Gift

Happy Fall, Ya'll!  
I've been wanting to say that. Hee hee  
My house is so full of warm, apple fragrances. We were so blessed to go apple gleaning last weekend with our church Sunday School class. It was a blast. We could pick all the fuji's from the ground we wanted for as long as we could. My family and I went for about three hours and goodness knows how many apples we got!  
PLENTY!  With lots to share!

  My neighbor is so funny. We invited him over after our first gleaning session a couple years ago and now every year he looks forward to us giving him bags of apples. He makes apple pie filling and cans it. I haven't tried that yet. My specialty is apple dumplings and apple sauce. It all goes very quickly here! What's your favorite apple treat?

My husband loves home made apple pies with crumb toppings. I must say I am getting better with my crusts the more I try them. Dough and I just do not get along! HA!
Speaking of Fall, you know Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Love all that yummy baked turkey and gravy and mashed potatoes. Oh Yum!! Do you have Thanksgiving at your house or somewhere else? I love hearing about people's Thankgsgiving traditions. We usually take a hike after the meal.

And of course after Thanksgiving is Christmas!

Like how I worked that in so smooth-like? hee hee  

Not to brag or anything (hee hee) but I already got my first gift of the season! Do you see it up there in that picture? 

The galvanized cup and saucer stand was at a local antique mall and I spotted it and instantly loved it. 

My sister surprised me by offering to pitch in over  half the cost for my Christmas gift. 

I was so thrilled. I've been moving it all over the dining room and kitchen. First on my blue dresser called "Cecelia" and then to the kitchen counter. Finally its landed on my buffet in the dining room. 

For how long though, I don't know. Once I find the perfect spot, then it will stay.  
But not until then. (smile)

No worries, though. I won't leave you hanging. (bigger smile) 

Enjoy the season! 

Love,

Tammy

Really Enjoying Fall

Hello Dear Friends --
So glad you stopped by! I don't tell you that enough, I know. Welcome! 
I have really been enjoying Central PA's Autumn weather. Today it was in the high 40's with bright, welcoming sun. I ran out into it like a kid. 
Wonderful, Wonderful sunshine! It's good for the soul!

I love bringing branches of Autumn's golds, reds and yellows into the house. Have you been decorating for the Fall season?

My sister treated my husband and I to a night out. She took the girls for a slumber party and I haven't seen them yet. Every mom needs that refreshing break from time to time. Thanks Tina!
We had so much fun taking a night hike on the Appalachian Trail and eating appetizers at Chili's. YUM!

We always pray that we'll see some wildlife on our night hikes! (Yes, we've taken them many times. Weekly in fact) While my husband it praying out loud to see some wildlife -- ANY -- wildlife, I'm praying silently, no bears please!! HA.  He doesn't know that about me. Please don't tell him. HA!

Last night we saw a young racoon climbing a tree. While we shined our flashlights on him, he stopped for a good five minutes and peaked around the tree trunk to watch us. He was absolutely adorable!

He reminded us both of a little koala bear. 

So I guess the world is gearing up for the approaching holidays. In my free time I ran out to TJ MAXX this afternoon and it was CROWDED! Really crowded!  I am not ready for filled parking lots, and crowded stores. I'm still enjoying this warm Fall, people!

Hope this Fall season finds you hopeful and cozy by a fire!
Tammy

Still Savoring Summer

Hello Friends --

We just returned from a fun week at the beach. I'm still in summer mode and hanging on to every ray of sunshine I can.
I'll have some Fall decorating pictures for you as soon as I can bring myself to start decorating. It might be awhile. HA!
Enjoy your last hours of Summer!
Warmly,
Tammy

Hello Friends --
I was blessed when I walked out into our sun room and saw how the sun was shining so boldly on our butterfly bush! It cast such a magnificent picture onto our curtain panel. His mercies are new every day! If I were in the habit of writing down blessings, this would be one of those. In fact, I just  might start that back up again!
Talking about starting back up ..... We are now full time in the throws of a new school year. We have set some fresh goals and my daughters have been coming to the table without complaint or argument. That is so refreshing for this mama/teacher!! I really appreciate that.

We've been in the business of making our own greeting cards. The girls had a birthday party to go to Saturday so they each created their own masterpiece. They were both very creative with themes of butterflys and gardens. Summer is not over yet!

Enjoy the rest of your summer days, my friends! We are trying to soak up the sun as much as possible.
I have some projects I am working on that I'll be sharing in coming posts!

Tootles,
Tammy

Summer Crafting

Hello Friends!
Somewhere in the midst of this beautiful summer time I found myself down in my crafting studio. Usually I go there as the cooler air brings Fall. But this time I think I retreated because of some days of intense, moist heat.

I was lucky enough to find a baby's crib sitting along the road for trash. I was so excited to put the spring of it to good use. I'm just loving how it looks above my work table!

Over time I've enjoyed creating journal books from cardboard, old books and paper bags. The one attached here is one of my favorites.

I've also been saving some jars from the grocery store (olives, jelly and so on) and painting their lids. They have such cute shapes and now with their cute lids and contents, I'm just smitten with the overall look.

I'm just loving this cute coaster I made out of popsicle sticks. Doesn't it look just like those palattes we see everywhere?

There's more to come on the crafting scene. But for now I want to leave you with this cool saying I just came across by  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

                      Live in the Sunshine
                      Swim the sea,
                      Drink the wild air.

Enjoy August,
Tammy 

Summer Looks Good on You

Greetings my Dear Friends --
We are in full Summer Celebration here. The girls finished school April 30th and it's been nothing but relaxation, utter laziness and sheer, sunshiny bliss. Need I say more?

I have been blessed this season to be surrounded by so many wonderful blooms. My next door neighbor has been a regular supplier of lilacs and rhododendrons. I am always so cheered to walk into a room with a vessel full of flowers. It just does something for me.

I've been changing up some areas in my sun room. I thought I would share some vignettes with you today! It's mostly pictures, so sit back and enjoy.

This little patio area is just outside our sun room door. It's so fun to watch the kids riding their bicycles in the drive with the birds chirping crazily above on phone lines. I think they enjoy the view too.

Enjoy the summer rays!!
Until next time,
Tammy

Eye Candy

Happy Hump Day Friends!
If you are like me, a little eye candy can go a long way to getting me through what might be otherwise a tough week.
If your week is taking some unexpected twists and turns, remember who to call on: Jesus!

Don't try to "clean up" and then cry out to Him. Cry out to HIM just as you are. Just where you are! Tell Him how you feel. Lay it all on Him.
He's waiting to hear from you. 

 Thanks to my sweet friend Kandi for these pictures. We had a wonderful time together along with my sister in Lucketts, VA recently.  Love you girlies!! 
tammy