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

What Every Girl Needs

Hello Friends -- 

I bought this new mixer on sale at Walmart.

It’s not anything special.

In fact it was the cheapest one I could find. 

Mixers don’t need to be pretty for me. Just functional. 

I was contemplating throwing away the beaters to my previous hand mixer. (It overheated when I was mixing too many rectangles of cream cheese at once. SEVEN IN ALL! Note to self: don’t blend more than three cream cheese blocks at a time) HA!

Then as I whipped up a batch of chocolate chip cookies today and then a batch of whoopee pies, I realized what every girl needs. TWO SETS OF BEATERS!  One for the chocolate chip cookies and one for the whoopee pies.

Of course I could have washed the one set and then used it again for the whoopee pies.

 I could have.

But I didn’t. 

That’s when I realized two sets of beaters make a girl’s life a lot easier. Have you ever been there? 

So that was my AHA moment for the day. I will always have two sets of beaters on hand. HA!

I would love to hear of any AHA moments you’ve had lately.

Tammy

Cute No Sew Apron How - To

Hello Sweet Friends --

Joining me today is my sister and fellow crafter, Tina. Tina and I share lots of things in common (besides our parents).  We both enjoy yummy coffee, big garlic pickles and laps around the Farmers Market. (That's a story for another time!)  And of course, creating!

Tina has made an adorable (adorbs, my 10 year old would say) denim kid's apron. She showed up days before Easter and gave them to her favorite two nieces -- my daughters! They were tickled. I was delighted.  Just look at these cuties.

My youngest is pointing out the sweet pocket at the bottom of her apron.

Today we put them to the real test. We baked and decorated eighty cupcakes! They held up to cake crumbs, icing that shot across the table (It wasn't my fault! HA) and dark chocolate fingers. Y.U.M.

Now we'll see if they survive a good washing!

If you like to re purpose things like we do, then you'll love this no - sew project. 1. Tina took the leg of an old pair of jeans and ripped it apart so the leg was layed out flat. And that my friends is the body of the apron. So far so good, right?
2. Then she took another piece of denim and used fabric glue to fasten it midway down the apron.
3. She took those two patch work hearts from another clothing item and fabric glued them on as well.  You just have to go with it, friends and not worry about how it's supposed to flow. Make it yours as you do it. That's the fun of it.
4. Lastly she punched two holes at the top and just below the waist and put twine through to create ties for the neck and waist.

She put a little fabric glue at each hole to give the twin a little more strength and that was it. TA-DA! That simple and cute, friends. Don't you just wanna start rippin' your old jeans apart? HA!

As I looked at the aprons hanging against the wall I envisioned cute, denim bags. Hmmmmm...now where did I put those old jeans of mine?

Have fun creating!! 
Tammy

Some Good Books

Hello Dear Friends --
Since it's been so cold here lately with (ahem) no end in sight, I've been taking advantage and burning the midnight oil. I won't want to do that on the first Spring day. Which is supposed to be in about 20 days, right? I hope so!
Have you gotten copies of Jesus Calling and Jesus Today? They are both excellent devotionals written by Sarah Young in the first person narrative. Listen to this, "I will fight for you; you need only to be still. I know how weary you are, my child. You have been struggling just to keep your head above water, and your strength is running low."  That gives me chills. Sometimes the days reading just grips me and I know the Lord has something special in it just for me. And the way it's written, I really feel like Jesus is right there. Talking to me (sigh).  And of course, He is right there. It's so good to be reminded!
My man and I are reading You and me Forever by Frances and Lisa Chan. If you do nothing else go online and look up the title of the book and watch the videos. They also have a free copy of the book online. I'm kinda old fashioned and enjoy holding a book in my hands. There's nothing like dog- earing a book over and over or highlighting it until the marker drys out. That's how good this book is. Just sayin'. And if that weren't enough, every book you purchase benefits children in poverty and helps to end sex-trafficing. That's 100% of the proceeds from the book. For me, that's worth every penny and then some.

Do you see my little chalk board sign up there? Frances Chan speaks about staring at God. Just meditating on Him daily. Telling Him I love Him. Meaning it. Telling Him I can't do this moment without Him. Because I really can't! Praising Him. Blessing His name by recalling how He has blessed me. I like to stare at Him. If you try it, don't give up. Be persistent and tell Him to draw you close to Him. He will. Just wait.

The sun has gone down now and I'm reminded of two new books I just read reviews for. The author is David Platts. He wrote Radical: Taking Back your Faith from the American Dream and his latest is Counter Culture. I can't wait to get copies of those and do some highlighting. Reading good books like these are so good for the soul. I want their truths to sink in and penetrate and change my perspective on life. I pray my life displays it.

And I have to giggle at these titles. I've dug deep into my cubby holes and found my fifteen copies of Nancy Drew that I've hung on to since my teen years. Oh, I was so absorbed with these. Nothing has changed!!! I know. Crack me up! I thought my almost ten year old would like them, and I was right. Before I could get them all out to see which I wanted to read she had scooped them all up and hauled them to her bedroom. I'm on mystery number three right now and she's not far behind. hee hee.
So have you read anything good lately? I would love to hear. Hope you are enjoying these winter months despite chilling temps. in many parts of the world.
Happy March! Spring, please come soon!
Tammy

Happy Friday Sweet Friends --
So what are your plans for the long weekend? Do you have off for President's Day like we do here? I am spreading Valentines hearts wherever I can. Tomorrow my girls and I will be having a fun valentines party. We plan to decorate a Sugar House and make marshmallow pops and crafts.

In the midst of Valentines plans I've done a few swaps with furniture. This is "Victoria." I had her in my sun room, but have now brought her in to my bedroom. I think I'll keep her here for awhile. She's a nice welcoming friend when I want to read for a bit.
Enjoy your weekend!
Tammy

More About Valentines

Hello Dear Friends --
I don't know why I am so enthused about Valentine's Day approaching. But I just am.

 My mind rests on pink, pretty tulle and white, organic lace. I see pictures of people using lace at their window instead of a screen in spring and I sigh! Ahhhhhhh!

 And I find myself creating pretty hearts and tossing them about my bed just for the romance of it. Another sigh.

I am a hopeless romantic at heart. Always have been. This time of year though really brings out my sentimental whims and glances. I stop for anything pretty. A lace curtain. Egg shell blue. Something chippy. Butter cream mints in pinks and rose.. A sunset. (SIGH)

I've been admiring pinks and pearls and charcoal grays together. My sister gave me a long skirt that is satiny and oh so pretty with pink. I'm hoping to wear it out somewhere soon.
I'm not the kinda girl that has to have just the right place -- a dance or fine tea shop -- though I wouldn't mind! But I'll simply wear it on a fun night to the coffee shop or out shopping with some girls. Are you that kinda girl too?

Hope you enjoy a long weekend, my friend.
Until later,
Tammy

Valentines Idea

Hi Friends --
Recently my sweet man came home from a late night run to the grocery store. With this! I know. Bad, right? Especially since we want to lose those extra five we gained over Christmas. I do recommend trying this! DELISH!!

They are so cute too. You know how's there's just something about little packages? Well, when you want to be conscientious about food consumption, it's great to have something decadent in a small package every so often. This is that!
Two come in a box. Just the right size for you and your sweetheart. And wouldn't this just be perfect for a little Valentine's treat, just the two of you?
Did I mention how creamy, light and decadently chocolate they are? Oh yea, baby!! 
We will definitly be going back for more!
See ya!
Tammy 

It's a winter, white wonderland around here. I decided to make it a winter, white wonderland inside too! Actually, snow or not, I would have decorated this way. It's a little stripped bare since all the Christmas greenery and lights are down, but I'm getting used to it. It's feeling a little dreamy and romantic with all the shades of white and I'm loving it.

Wishing you a peaceful week, my friends!
Tammy

Celebrating Rachel

 Hello and Happy New Year! We recently celebrated my youngest's birthday. She turned EIGHT! She loves owls and wanted to have her second owl birthday party in a row. This year we did an outdoor forest theme. She chose an owl piniata. It was so cheerful and cute. Just like Rachel.

Here's the birthday girl in her owl shirt! So for one week prior to Christmas we took time to put Christmas aside and concentrate on her birthday. It's not easy, but well worth it. We talk about her special day non stop for one week so she knows she's not forgotten in all the Christmas rush.

My Mom is a professional cake decorator. Rachel wanted her to come and share some decorating tips with all the girls. They had a blast. Look at some of their fun creations!

Happy New Year sweet friends. Thanks for stopping by!
Tammy

Pam's House

Hello Again --
If you missed my previous two posts about our Vintage Home Tours, go back and check them out. www.noplacelikehomedecorating.blogspot.com  You won't want to miss the decorating inspiration for your own homes.

Now on to Pam's house.

Love the tulle under the tree and the roaring fire place! And how about the old door? I am definitely a lover of old doors!

This lamp shade is made with coffee filters! Isn't that cool? What an awesome DIY. I just wanna make a few right now!

My guy has had a few "boxes" delivered to the house recently. They no sooner get dropped off by fed ex when my oldest runs and snatches them up and takes them into his office. She's his little elf. I am really hoping one of these beauties will be in one of these packages. I doubt it though. My husband is into backpacking now and will most likely have bought me a zero degree sleeping bag like "I" got him for Christmas. HA!

Am I right, honey?

Merry Christmas All!
Tammy

 

Dreaming of a Vintage Christmas!

Christmas Greetings, Friends --
Last night I made my last and final scramble to Boscov's to pick up something for my mom. (Mom, if you are reading this,stop here! HA) That's a joke. My mom used to say she would open up her hidden Christmas gifts while her parents weren't looking and then tape them back up again!!

Do you know anyone like that? 

I wanted to share more pictures with you of my Vintage House Touring party. These next pictures are from Julie's sister Brenda's house. OH the glamour and glitz!!! 

Such sweet details wherever you would look. On one wall Brenda had large Victorian style pictures covering the wall. In another corner she had two curvy vintage dressers atop each other.

She also shared a beautiful Christmas story about her pink Christmas trees. I will not share it here, I just wouldn't do it justice. It's one of those stories that are so precious and funny and a tear jerker all at the same time!

Are you inspired yet? I know I am.
I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and resting in the beauty of the quiet manger.

I'll be back with Pam's house soon. You won't want to miss it!

Merrily,
Tammy