PARKER'S PARADISE

I SHARED MY BEST. HERE'S THE REST.

2012-01-29T11:48:00.001-06:00

most of these are very old with their original paint. only the 2 with the same blue are ones I painted. love this crock ( all brown crockery pieces ) and the piggy cutting boards. thanks, Carole, for the one with a label. I have some of my butter paddles in a smaller crock. see some of my mashers on the bench that I have had for over 25 years.

these ones are in the keeping room, which is just the room where we put everything that has no place of its own. it doubles/ triples as my sewing room and where our freezer and big pantry are. the painted ones here are ones I've done. the others wait for paint or purpose. I collect a lot of things that just sit in here. it seems a shame. I should find other homes for some of these items before someone calls me a hoarder.

these pins are solid pieces of wood--no spinning handles here--and the one on the floor is a gift from Cindy. she has one of those embroidery machines and she put this nice label on it. the blue tole painted cutting board is a giveaway win from Willa. her painting is amazing. the pink one I found at Goodwill. I painted all the fruit boards. that is a snuff jar in front of a wood box made by Carole. I filled it with wood spoons.

I have shared these before. they are my oldest ones.

I have several of these marble pins. they weigh a ton. this one came with the base for display. I made the cover.

this one was a gift from Hubby. it is green marble--all 3 pieces--cutting board, pin and base. Gina made the cover for this pin. this one is so pretty. I have seen these on eBay go very, very high. wish someone would offer me the kind of money they go for.....
kind of a slow week for us. no real weather to worry about. Mya and Ruby both had birthdays. we hope to get up there this week--late for birthdays, early for Valentines. we will all be happy to see one another. really nothing to report, nothing good anyway.
the ground beef week went well. Mike likes all that. I ate a lot of veggies..... this week, a lighter menu.
SUNDAY~ chicken fried rice, veggie egg rolls
MONDAY~sirloin kebobs with onions, peppers, grape tomatoes, zucchini, red potatoes
TUESDAY~ potato soup with PB sammies
WEDNESDAY~turkey salad on a bed of spinach with red onions and mandarin oranges( poppy seed dressing)
THURSDAY~tilapia Parmesan with brussel sprouts and hash browns
FRIDAY~grilled salmon, sweet potato fries( on the grill ), spinach salad
SATURDAY~ eating out--hopefully the Noodle House
Ah, my kind of menu..... Mike likes it, too. he just gets this crazy craving. he was ready for something different by Thursday!
Blessings to you all. Hope your week is as awesome as you are. Thank you for coming by.

I AM ONE LUCKY WOMAN

2012-01-25T16:56:00.004-06:00

I am so fortunate to have some very good friends here in blogland. I was blessed when Angie Stevens started blogging. You may know her as Lil Raggedy Angie. She has gone above and beyond the boundaries of friendship many times. This week, I received the above wine rack. Angie had read on my blog that I got a red glass rolling pin for my birthday and was looking for a way to display it. I had the wine rack in the background, but didn't feel it would get the right attention because of the fancy work. Well, Angie belongs to several groups on Facebook and she found this one; had it shipped directly to me! What an excellent surprise! I used it to display 2 pottery pins, 2 aluminum pins, 1 marble pin. 2 jadeite pins and my new ruby-colored one. These are unique for me and I just love them all. Thank you, Angie, for being such a considerate and generous soul. It is beautiful and perfect for me. I love it!

Another sweet and considerate friend is Amy from Bumble Bee Cottage Lane. She has a journal on her header and I had asked her how she made that. She said she it was easy; maybe she had more. All I needed was a brief tutorial, but she sent me one of her delightful journals. It looks really great on the trunk we use as a coffee table. Thank you, Amy. Maybe, just maybe, someday, I'll get around to trying to do this myself. Maybe......

And yesterday, I got this stack of goodies with a really nice note from OLM's Marie. She said she hoped these things could inspire me! I think this darling character from Illinois knows that I am addicted to stitching, prim and sewing and that there will definitely be something Easter coming up soon! I love the combination of colors and patterns. Thank you, Marie. You are a sweetie. I thought for sure I was going to get to meet Marie last fall, but my brother's difficulties kept me from many of my personal plans. Maybe this next 'warm' season....... Maybe....
I have received many gifts from fellow bloggers over the nearly 5 years I've been blogging. Some were giveaway wins, some swaps and some were RAKs. I have appreciated each and every one. If I have ever missed posting about a gift that one of my fellow bloggers sent me, I apologize from the depths of my heart. I know that everyone wants recognition and deserves to be thanked appropriately and publicly, so I want to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity. I love walking through my home and seeing all the perfect little touches of friendship scattered throughout. Life is good but life with friends? Priceless!

A STOP ON MY HOME FROM MOM'S and A B.DAY GIFT

2012-01-23T16:17:00.000-06:00

We went to Mallory's speech competition early on Saturday. Her group did very well and we were so proud of Mallory's presentation. After that we took Mom and Dad out for lunch and to the grocery store. It was a lovely visit. On the way home,I got some eagle shots along the Mississippi; share them later on. Mike wanted to stop by The Furniture Store in Ft. Madison. I found some black and white prints to use when I practice printing on fabric, but the bestest deal was this yellow ware bowl. I did not have one like it so it came home with me.

I received a great package from Primcat's Carmen for my birthday. Our bdays are 10 days apart. Sadly, our ages are much further apart. One of my surprises was one of her shoo fly screens. I have some of those small ones made from old strainers, but this one is perfect for my pear vignette on my stove/noodle board from FK's Carol. I've picked up wood pears from various places--always cheap ( you know me )--and the wood plate just a couple weeks ago at Goodwill for $1.38. I love this display in my kitchen. Big thanks, Carmen, for completing my vignette, and a big thanks to Carol and Tim for the great noodle board. I am so blessed to have such great friends!

MENU PLAN FOR 1-22 through 1-29

2012-01-22T18:11:00.001-06:00

This week, I challenge myself to make 5 exciting, delicious meals using ground beef. Shouldn't be too difficult, right? Well, I can almost guarantee that I can do it.
SUNDAY~ French onion soup, just like in the restaurant-cheesy with the toasted croutons and in the oven. no ground beef this day!
MONDAY~ start big: meatloaf and twice baked potatoes with Caesar salad
TUESDAY~ g. beef and mushroom pizza
WEDNESDAY~ green chili cheeseburgers with steak fries
THURSDAY~ one of Mike's favorites: Hamburger Helper Cheesy Hash Browns with green beans
FRIDAY~ lemon-butter cod fillets with spinach salad and glazed carrots
SATURDAY~ Mike's chili with all the go-alongs

Thought I'd add a picture of my year round evergreen tree. It has ornies for all seasons and from many of my blog buddies. I rarely remove any, just keep adding them. You can enlarge the pic by clicking on it so you can get a better view.

ANY GUESSES AS TO WHAT THIS IS?

2012-01-21T07:55:00.000-06:00

LADIES, I PRESENT.......

2012-01-15T11:21:00.002-06:00

my latest find--a double wedding ring, hand-stitched, double bed quilt. If you enlarge the pic, you can see all those tiny stitches that had to be lovingly created. How anyone could give this up is beyond belief. I feel more than fortunate to have found it. I feel blessed.

I know it isn't prim or even antique, but how many times in this life will I get the opportunity to put the finishing touches on something like this?

All the edges are scalloped and the binding was sewn onto to it on one side. All I had to do was fold it over and sew on the back side. I practiced my blanket stitch here. It took a couple days but I am nothing if not obsessed with a project until it is done. And it is very warm, as I sat with it in my lap for duration of the stitching. I love it. I truly do......

RAK and MORE BIRTHDAY GOODIES

2012-01-13T13:31:00.001-06:00

I got a delightful package from my sweet friend, Angie of Berry Homespun. Such wonderful items, Angie! I put the primmed icicles on my everyday evergreen tree, hanged the flour sack towel in the kitchen, the wood signs in other rooms. I'm looking for a small bear or doll for the chair and the other items will find uses. Thank you so much, Angie, for thinking of me. You are a treasure!

Mike took me out on Wednesday. They had a hot beef sandwich special at Hy-Vee and Dole salads were on sale for 99 cents. So, once he got me out there, he insisted we journey on to Burlington to the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. What a wonderful decision that turned out to be! First, we stopped at a used furniture that we have had success at in the past. Again, I walked by and ran my hand over this beautiful maple buffet that I sincerely love but have no room for; and the price was reduced $20. I just cannot figure out where I would put it. ***sigh*** I, OK-really Mike-found this WATT bowl in a stack of 3 Pyrex bowls. It had a tag with $15 on the stack. He knows what I have and what I like. I grabbed it up and asked the gal if she'd take $10 for the bowl. She said sure. I walked around with it while I checked out other things. I was actually looking for a wine rack that I could use for me glass rolling pins, but found no such item---yet. She did ask me why I wanted just that bowl. She goes all over the US to auctions to fill their shop and says she knows nothing about antiques!! I've had this kind of conversation with her before when we purchased a MarCrest cookie jar. She says she doesn't have time to investigate every item they purchase so they just add a percentage to their purchase price. As long as they are making money, they are happy. Let me tell you--I am happy with this bowl for $10! Then we went to the Salvation Army store. Now, these guys are notorious for overpricing their donating items. Rarely a bargain to be found...... I found the larger of these two McCoy bowls there for $3! That's right. $3!! I already had the mid-sized one. Now I am going to be on the lookout for a smaller one.
Our last stop was the Goodwill store. I found a couple smaller items that aren't memorable but the real treasure of the day is a double-wedding ring quilt for $8.38. It is hand-stitched, but unfinished. I am in the process of finishing the binding now and I am hand-stitching it. The clerk and I were amazed that anyone could donate such an item. Hand quilted, like from a quilt rack sewing bee!!!! It is so awesome. I will post it when I get it done. It will be priceless!
Bless you, my friends, for stopping by. Have a great weekend!!!!

A MAN'S PASSION TO RESTORE THE PAST or BRINGING BACK THE OLDIES

2012-01-11T10:31:00.001-06:00

My man is nothing if not passionate about whatever he does. He is like a dog with a bone and won't let go. In the beginning( big deep voice saying, Let there be light!), Mike collected vinyl. He played clarinet in the band and listened faithfully to AM radio at night. He was taken, heart and soul, by music. His mother, Ruby, sang hymns and his sister, Linda, played piano. Mike can play Heart and Soul on the piano to this day. Early on in his 'bachelorhood', Mike collected vinyl. He had the single most eclectic collection I have ever seen. Then the arrival of transportable music--the 8 track. Ah, those really were the days. But vinyl could get scratched and 8 tracks soon wore out. On to a handier, more compact cassettte, hence the 'ette' which I believe is French for petite or smaller. Now we've all seen those strips of vinyl fluttering along the roadsides, so we all know they get twisted and pulled and broken. Today everything is on compact disc and going digital from there. Mike has had massive collections of all these forms, but due to the fact that they take up so much space and he has a wife that requires equal, if not more, space. These collections had to go and go they did. A couple years ago, we bought a CD clone so he could make copies of his cds for the car. Good idea, right? Seeing as how the cds can get scratched/damaged. Well now we have iPods. One that holds 20,000 songs and one that holds 40,000 songs. Mike has discovered the used cassette bin at Goodwill where cassettes are 38 cents each. He is transferring the cassettes onto rewritable discs that I can put into iTunes and then onto our iPods. Then he can simply donate the cassettes back to Goodwill. My iPod is full and his is close to the 30,000 mark, but he is able to find old music that is no longer available in any other form and put in on a source that is totally available to him and anyone else out there that can access our iTunes. Isn't that cool? And I don't have to watch near as many football/basketball games!

This a portion of Mike's CDs. He gets them from everywhere--garage sales, Goodwill, Weird Harolds, Stuff--and occasionally new from various stores. I make him glean through them once a year and take a box full down to Weird Harolds where he gets credit on future purchases. He rarely parts with something he pays new price for and I don't blame him but all the used ones are saved in 2 places so there is no need to keep them. These shelves hold about 1200 CDs and they are in alphabetical order. How else could you find what you are looking for? I love my hubby's hobby because it is something we can share and something he can share with family and friends. If they ask for a copy of something, he is always willing to spin one up. It is an economical hobby that benefits a lot of music-loving people. And best of all, he enjoys it!! So, while, there have been many changes in the way music is conveyed to the masses, my man has kept up and continues to bring music and his love for it out there for everybody.
Next time, see my post on the transformation of the video.......NOT!

★MENU★PLAN★MONDAY★

2012-01-09T11:21:00.001-06:00

This little guy looks a tad lonely, doesn't he? Well, he isn't in my backyard so I can't help him, but I would love to. I, for one and probably one of a small group, wish it would snow and get it over with. I have a deep concern for our spring if our winter never comes! Besides, our ground is still so dry. We need the moisture for our shrubs and trees and the farm fields. This little snow buddy needs many more companions to make our winter healthy for our environment. So, despite our personal preferences, we should all be praying for snow. The kids would like it, too. Sledding and building forts for snowball fights and making snow ice cream! What fun things for kids to do. Makes me wish I was a kid again!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my fellow bloggers who left happy wishes here on blog comments and on Facebook, as well as personal emails. I loved reading everyone of them. My heart is filled with warm bliss and much joy. You are a special group of friends and I love you all.

We did get to go out to Red Lobster for lunch. Always a satisfying experience. We did some shopping, but didn't have much luck. Mike bought me a new rolling pin. It is ruby glass and I just love it. Now I have 3 glass rolling pins ( the other 2 are jadeite. ), so I officially have a collection. It is gorgeous. I will have to post a picture of all 3. I need to figure out a specific display for them.

We spent Saturday with my parents. Had a great lunch at Fort Worth, then on to grocery shopping. We had a really nice visit. Dad seems to be taking everything in stride. Mom did laugh a lot and seemed to enjoy herself. On our way home, we stopped by the Joann's in Burlington for fabric. They don't have a lot there these days. The gals working didn't know for sure, but they suspect this big sale coming up is a going-out-of-business sale. Anyway, they had wool felt for $2.99 a yard and it was the 90" wide stuff. I got several colors and several yards. Time for me to attempt my take on penny rugs. Wish me luck!

I found an antique Mahjong game at Goodwill, had been marked $40, but I got it for $20. I have played Mahjong on-line since, well since I got a computer and before that on Playin' TV. Now I need to teach my granddaughters to play!

Steelers suck! Enuf said!

Lots of good TV coming back this week. Looking forward to that. We have been watching a LOT of concerts on HD Net these past weeks. I love a good concert but sure do get weary of them. I mean, there's no plot! And I miss my favorite actors, too. Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice--well, Grey's was awesome. PP, well, a bit too much some times. Lots of crying...... I like NCIS ( Mark Harmon is yummy.), Castle ( Nathan Fillon, also yummy ), Justified ( Timothy Olaphant-OMG yummy ), Criminal Minds ( all good looking ) and we'll watch 2 1/2 Men because it is a good show and Ashton Kutcher--Iowa Boy--too stinkin' cute! Yeah, I am a Tvoholoic.

Looks like we'll be eating at home this week, but we don't mind. I have some good things planned. You know, if you are ever stumped for what to fix, I do have my recipe blog and there are some great recipes over there. Great soups and a good, fast beer bread or crock pot meals. You can feel free to check them out.

MONDAY~ crab cakes, steamed broccoli, sweet potato fries

TUESDAY~cheese soup, beer bread, lime jello

WEDNESDAY~liver with onion gravy, boiled potatoes, green salad

THURSDAY~chili, crackers

FRIDAY~parmesan-crusted tilapia, succotash, green salad

SATURDAY~ pizza

SUNDAY~chicken pot pie casserole

I hope everyone has a full and satisfying week. Enjoy every day that the Lord

gives us. May your life be full of blessings, joy and peace.

CONVERSATION HEARTS

2012-01-06T10:08:00.001-06:00

Enlarge to see more clearly. These are my take on old-fashioned conversation hearts. So sweet and easy, until I went to turn them right-side out. A little tricky and not exactly like store-bought, but they will do.
I hope I can find homes for them......
Gratitude:**I am thankful for this springtime weather we are enjoying. 62' here in the heartland. hardly seems like January to me!**

SOME PILLOWS AND A GIFT

2012-01-03T14:20:00.003-06:00

a Valentine sampler on red checked

a little faith goes a long way....... on real mattress ticking

pineapple, crow and star on real mattress ticking

prim shelf with crow, pineapple on real mattress ticking

olde crow sampler on red checked

olde crows on real mattress ticking

A Christmas gift from Gina--she calls it a mantle scarf. I call it a shelf scarf. And I can leave it out all winter. Thank you, Gina. It looks adorable here. I put the apple pie ornie on my everyday tree and the potpourri in a wood bowl!
If you are interested in any of my pillows/tucks, just let me know. I am busy with Valentine conversation hearts now, but I don't plan to make too many. Hearts are a challenge for me. I love to stitch but sewing anything other than a square is a challenge! I bought some more candy canes at Dollar Tree ( half off ) and hope to wrap them with homespun soon. I mailed out 12 packages today. The Post Office was swamped. I wonder where my packages will end up this time!
Our menu this week is simple. The days are so short, it's hard to find time to get in 3 meals. Today we had biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast so we couldn't eat lunch, but we'll have an early supper. Does anyone else have this problem?
TUESDAY~ turkey stuffing casserole
WEDNESDAY~ lemon-herb panko crusted cod with spinach salad( rooster salad--spinach, red onions, mandarin oranges, cucumber, Maytag blue cheese and poppy seed dressing ) and pumpkin pie
THURSDAY~ turkey-rice soup w/ crusty bread
FRIDAY~ ham loaf, baked sweet potatoes, creamed peas
SATURDAY~ out for our anniversary dinner, probably Red Lobster
SUNDAY~ leftover ham loaf in hot meatloaf sandwiches w/mashed potatoes and gravy
Gratitude:**I am thankful for a warm sweatshirt today!**

TYING UP THE END OF 2011

2011-12-30T20:35:00.001-06:00

A while back, I found a darling cookie mold at the thrift store. I conferred with Rachel ( Somewhere in the Middle ) about her making salt dough ornies, using the mold. She said she would give it a try. Just look at the darling ornies she made. She also made me some with the little wagon on wheels beneath. I am loving these. Thank you so very much, Rachel. You did a great job. I am very proud of my little flock.

I love prairie dolls. Jean of Prim Crafts sent me this little sweetie. Thank you so much, Jean. She beautiful. She is the perfect gift for me

When Angie had her Open House, her dear friend, Brenda, set up a booth of her handmades. Angie called me as they were tearing down and said Brenda wanted to speak to me. She asked if I wanted to trade some of my pillow tucks for her handmade mice. I had been admiring Angie's picture of said mice and quickly said YES! I had no idea she was going to send me such delightful vignettes. This darling is sitting in a cast iron kettle on a real stone with an oak burr.

This one is real furry and sits on a mousetrap with tiny acorns and kernels of corn. He has a long, curly tail.

This one is my favorite. She is sitting in a silver tray with bittersweet and evergreen and a burr. She has big blue eyes. Brenda, these are perfect little mice. I will be using these in my decor for a long, long time! Thank you so much for liking my tucks well enough to make these precious critters for me. And, as for the real thing, I don't like them so much--or at all!

I wasn't very creative with my new crock. I just added a quilt, but a quilt I love the colors of.

Carol, Firecracker Kid, included a rolling pin sleeve in my Christmas card. Thank you so much Carol! I haven't yet tried printing the labels, but I stitched some so that my rolling pin rack would be full. I was inspired. I have about 50 more rolling pins so I will try that labeling thing!

I found these 2 prints at Goodwill Tuesday. Do you think this looks alright? I'm undecided.
I also found 2 Vera Bradley handbags ( for $2.99 each!). I love them. Sara turned me on to Vera Bradley a couple years ago and I haven't carried anything else since. I even have an eyeglass case and a coin purse. Yes, I am a handbag snob now, thanks to my daughter.
To tie up 2011 completely, I have to do a final financial report, help with utility bills, do the 4th quarter sales tax and swear in the new administration, but it is light work compared to other months. I am looking forward to truly being retired and only having to balance my own checkbook!
The snow is sure to fly soon, making indoors a favorable place to be. The eagles will be gathering at the river, making for some pleasant birdwatching.
Happy New Year, my friends. It has been another wonderful year despite the sadness and sickness, the trials and tribulations, the weather and the worries..... I have enjoyed my time with you all.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for every day that God has given me.**

CHRISTMAS IN ANKENY

2011-12-28T20:30:00.001-06:00

This is Ruby, getting to know her Nana. She was very purposeful as she unwrapped her gift. She is somewhat quiet but loves to laugh and mimics any sound. It won't be long and she will chatter away just like Mya! She is learning how to kiss, but still prefers to be kissed. She is a really good eater and is so obviously in love with her new family. I think this is a match made in Heaven!

Carter ~ what a ham! We had to go to Pet Smart and buy fish for his bowl. His only request was replacement fish. Poor Frank had passed some time ago and the bowl had been empty too long. Now Bubbles and Swimmy (?) are happily swimming around the bowl.

Mya was so disappointed that Santa didn't bring her the wedding Barbie and the one she can kiss with. She was surprised to discover that Santa had asked me to bring these over for her because his bag was so full. She was so excited, full of oohs and aahs.

And my little man~Cole~ so loved his Classic Children's novels that he was 60 pages into The Wizard of Oz before dinner. He is and always has been an avid reader. I can't believe he will be 13 this summer. Time just flies by.....
My sister, Patty, passed a recipe on to me that our sister, Barb, had given her. I want to share it with you.
QUICK AND EASY WILD RICE SOUP
2 C. COOKED WILD RICE ( Uncle Ben's is easy.)
1/2 JAR/PACKAGE BACON BITS ( I use the packaged ones.)
OR 1 C. CHOPPED CHICKEN ( I used both.)
1/2 C. CHOPPED ONION
1/2 C. CHOPPED CELERY
1 8 OZ. CAN MUSHROOMS
2 or 3 CANS CREAM OF POTATO SOUP
1 or 2 CANS CHICKEN BROTH
2 C. MILK ( I used half and half.)
1 C. SHREDDED CHEESE ( any kind will do. I used Cheddar.)
1 or 2 T. WHITE WINE ( option that I skipped. )
Combine all ingredients in your soup pot.
Heat over low heat but DO NOT allow to boil.
I served with crusty hot bread.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for sticky little hands, constant chattering, spilled milk, chocolate kisses, silly board games, knee hugs, and all the warm, fuzzy memories they give me.**

JUST VISITING....

2011-12-26T21:34:00.000-06:00

I been friends with Tisha over at Loafer Mountain for some time but I certainly did NOT expect the surprise gifts I got from her on Christmas Eve! Please enlarge the picture so you can see all these wonderful goodies. I love the little wreath with the rusty bell that adorns the green bag that holds 2 bars of awesome goat milk soap. The tan bag is filled with some yummy potpourri and I got some adorable gingers along with a prairie doll and stocking for my prim tree. She also included a beautiful handmade card and a small insert with a snowman on it. I am loving this snowman with a potato for a nose. He is the greatest snowman I have ever seen. Thank you, thank you, thank you--Tisha! You really made my day!

Remember the cute little doxie we adopted a few weeks ago? We have been calling him Buddy. He is affectionate, very cuddly indeed, but a puppy still. We no longer leave our shoes on the floor in the family room. He doesn't bother mine but he is very, very fond of Mike's shoes. Mike has really short strings on one shoe now. LOL Looks like Buddy has made himself right at home, doesn't it? These 3 play together--actually rough house and a lot. Buddy is gaining weight and learning our routine. He has escaped from our fenced-in yard a couple times. The little bugger just climbs over it! I have actually peeled him off the fence! Mike had to move our wood pile. Buddy is a high flyer. He will climb and jump. We 'think' we have solved this little quirk in our program.

Sadly, at least to me, this cute little mouse recently died due to my foolishness. You see, I had an antique basket full of antique sewing supplies sitting on a side table next to my chair. This little mouse was living in a waxed terra cotta pot in the midst of these sewing supplies. I came home one day and found Mousie laying on the secretary table that we use for our TV. Mike had gathered up these pieces. I have re-stuffed him and returned him to his pot, but he will never be the same. Poor little guy........ I think he may need a veternarian!
Gratitude:** I am thankful for all the wonderful experiences I've had here on the blogs. It has really brought new meaning to my life. I feel like I have found the place where I belong. Thank you, my sweet friends, for accepting me and making me smile.**

9 DAYS AND COUNTING.......

2011-12-16T13:15:00.001-06:00

Alright, I am a bit slow. About everything these days. I just completed wrapping my plastic Dollar Tree candy canes, thanks to Angie. She shared part of her fabric stash with me and I used some ticking and some homespun to do these. Maybe by next Christmas I'll get some of them dipped in wax. I did get this little crock labeled! I found the snowman painted on a wood spoon at Goodwill.

I am just putting out my snowman kit in a jar and my excuse me.......

And Mike finally brought me in some greenery for this Mason jar candle holder. It is a battery candle with wrought iron hanger I got at a prim shop called 'Chicken Shed Primitives'. Wish I had a lot of money when I go in there. Right next door to this shop is 'Moose on the Loose', another prim shop. I didn't have time to go in there. I had the grandkids with me. Both these shops are in Huxley, Iowa---about 11 miles from Sara's house.

My Christmas gift from my dear, sweet hubby. Does he know me or what? It was on a silent auction at Goodwill. I just love it. The spots do not show up like this in person. It is so beautiful. It has a dark brown inside and is more of a taupe color instead of gray. I never let them sit empty for very long. I think I will probably put one of my quilts in it, or maybe a small quilt with a grouping of prairie dolls. I am pretty excited to have been gifted so well by my hubby. I'm going to have to find something very special for him... I got him a new hat.... Pretty lame, huh?
He says he is happy when I am happy and he will be just as thrilled to meet Ruby as I am with the crock. I believe him. I spoke with her on the phone yesterday and she is just blooming! She is mimicking almost all words so it won't be long and she will understand what she is saying. She is becoming Americanized!
My Dad had a 'mini' stroke last Sunday. He is okay for now but the doctor told him he could no longer drive. Thank goodness. The doctor said that these mini strokes are warnings of a larger, possibly debilitating stroke and that we should be watching for signs. Please say a prayer for both my parents. My Mom is getting more frail as each day passes and she will be devastated if anything happens to Dad.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for our kind and giving Father. He watches over us all and brings us all back to Him.**

MY MENU PLAN FOR THIS WEEK

2011-12-11T21:08:00.000-06:00

SUNDAY~ smoked pork chops, baked sweet potato, almond/mushroom rice
MONDAY~ honey BBQ chicken wings, green bean casserole
TUESDAY~ ham/scalloped potatoes
WEDNESDAY~ pizza, garlic bread sticks
THURSDAY~ ground beef enchilada casserole
FRIDAY~ baked tilapia w/Mediterranean rice
SATURDAY~ shrimp lo mein
We are having lots of soup for lunch during these cold days and hot breakfast, too. I am loving my cream of wheat and oatmeal!
Plans for the week: stay snuggled in, watch tv, read, bake a pumpkin pie, stitch, avoid the crowds, stay healthy.....
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for the shelter and heat we have on these cold days, and for being able to share our good fortune with our 9 little dogs. They are awesome lap warmers, but I have yet to get any of them to sit on my feet!**

OUR FIRST SNOW and MY THRIFT BUYS

2011-12-10T12:49:00.001-06:00

We got our first real snow on Tuesday. About 2" of the fluffy delight fell on our little burg. We love snow because it covers a multitude of sins and gives everything a Christmas feel. Everything looks better with snow covering it! Funny thing, our little dogs all put on the brakes when they have to go out in the rain, but let a little snow fall and they are out there romping around. See the snow on Cricket's nose? They all just bury their faces in the drifts. They have a great time out there. Guess it is a good thing they don't have real hands or we'd be pelted with snowballs every time they went out!!!

On Thursday, we went to do the last of our Christmas shopping. Of course, I had to stop at my favorite Goodwill stores. I was right there as they were putting this print out. I just loved it so home with me it came. I removed an old dusty wreath and put it here in our great room.

In the next Goodwill, I found this Billy Jacobs print. It is my first and I am so pleased that it is of snowmen and will hang year round in our bedroom with my snowman collection. See the little snow dog?
It is dated 2002 and I am so lucky to have found this one under $10!

Another bargain in that same store was this rusty bell tree. Isn't it cute? $2.38, too cute to pass up!

I know, I know. I make dozens of little pillows but this one is really sweet. It will remind me of all my sweet friends here on the blogs........

Have you ever seen anything so cute? I love this little mouse on a candy cane. Cyndy made this one for me as part of a swap we did. I love him! Thanks for everything Cyndy!
Gratitude:**I am so thankful that our kids are home safely from China and that the ones here are so happy to have them all home. I am thankful that Miss Ruby Joy is a happy girl and seems to be having a good adjustment to her Forever Family. God has certainly blessed our family.**

LET'S PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS

2011-12-08T21:22:00.000-06:00

My dear friend, Susan of Oodle Kadoodle Primitives, has posted this request and since I agree whole-heartedly, I am re-posting it.
I'm inviting all my Blogging friends to join me in returning to the traditional greeting of "MERRY CHRISTMAS" instead of the politically correct "Happy Holidays". If you agree with me, please re-post this message.....MERRY CHRISTMAS! We need Christ back into our lives.
GOD IS WELCOME IN MY HOUSE
。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */________/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜田田｜門｜ •
... If God is also welcome in your House re post this -- Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!

'TIS THE SEASON.....

2011-12-05T17:50:00.003-06:00

Isn't this adorable? Steph from Front Porch Primitives sent me this with some cocoa and some great peppermint patties. I just love this little Santa bag. I have it hanging on my Hoosier door.
Thank you, Steph, so much! It really made my heart flutter. I love presents! Especially handmade! ;)

Brenda from the Rusty Thimble sent me Pokee Dot! I love-love-love her, Brenda! Mike said--boy, she sure has a grin on!

I don't know where you gals get your patterns or inspiration, but I feel so proud to have these creations in my home. I am the luckiest gal around.

Today was our shopping day. I'm not so much into shopping anymore. I've really gotten to like shopping on line, but, for now, the groceries need to be hand-selected. I especially want to select all my own produce and proteins.

So..... the best part of the trip was picking out Christmas gifts for the grands. Mike had already taken care of my parents gift. We don't buy for each other. We agree that every day we spend together is a gift in and of itself. I love taking this one time of year to look through the toy aisle and try to find the perfect gift for each child. And then seeing their little faces light up when they are opening their presents. Truly magical......

We got our groceries, some gas and had lunch at our fave family diner-The Hungry Bear.

Then a hustle home to get ready for Mike's last City Council meeting. I still have to swear in the next Mayor and Council on January 2. I imagine I will have to teach the next City Clerk some of my tricks, but that could take several months, just a few minutes at a time. Ha Ha Ha!

MONDAY~ fried chicken, corn and mashed potatoes

TUESDAY~ meat loaf sandwiches, fresh fruit salad

WEDNESDAY~ chili/frito pie

THURSDAY~ corned beef brisket Reubens, chips, Kosher dills

FRIDAY~ tuna noodle casserole, hot rolls

SATURDAY~ bacon/potato/cabbage soup

SUNDAY~ Beer can chicken, brussel sprouts, steak fries

Gratitude:**I am thankful for Plus-Size catalogs. Enough said.**

YES, I AM BLESSED!

2011-12-04T18:01:00.005-06:00

I have mentioned in my profile that we have 12 grandchildren. If you include the one that was given up for adoption by my oldest son and his then girlfriend, we technically have 13. My oldest son also has a daughter that I have never met in person and he hasn't seen since she was 6 months old. I have conversed with her on Facebook. She is a sophomore in college, independent and quite a delightful young lady. He also has a son that is a senior in high school. I have not seen him since he was 3 and my son has never seen him. He is a very warm and loving young man. I also converse with him on Facebook. This same son has a 10 year old son that lives with him. I haven't seen him or his son in 6 years. He is also the biological father of the one and only Mallory, that I speak of often. Mallory lives with her mother and her adoptive father. I also have a daughter that was adopted at birth, due to circumstances beyond my control. I was reunited with her about 10 years ago. She has 2 adult daughters that I love very much, but see rarely. They had a full life before me and continue to do so. We are friendly but not very 'family'. So you can see that we have 5 grandchildren that we do not see--not by choice but by time and distance. My holidays are muddled with confusion, joy and sorrow. This is not the FAMILY that I always dreamed of. Lest you should feel sorry for me, let me tell you about my true blessings~ the 7 grandchildren we do share with their parents.

The above picture was taken by me at Maxwell's Market. It is a delightful store that is only open in short bursts, like when the Georgia peaches are in, the Washington apples and, of course, the Christmas candies and treats. You can see my charming husband on the left and 3 of our 5 granddaughters. Left to right~Mallory, Chloe and Tristen. We went out and picked our goodies for our Christmas get together the day before I left for Sara's. Mallory and Chloe picked out beautiful apples and oranges along with their candies. Tristen said fruit would only ruin her candy! The girls love to spend time together and you can hear their laughter for days after they are gone. We are blessed every time these girls get together with us.

The first day I was with Sara's kids, they went over to a nearby lot to check out the leftovers from the days construction. The boys love to build from scraps and Mya just loves to go along. When I left to come home, all materials used for building were part of a house! There must have been 6-8 guys over there, working like crazy.... We kept answering the door, thinking all the hammering was someone knocking at the door! Lucky for us, they quit when it got dark.

Mya is quite content to watch her brothers play video games. Me? Not so much......

You can see that even an adoring sister grows weary of watching before time is up!

Come Friday, there will be so much excitement in this home. Everyone will be trying to get to know the newest family member. Friends will be stopping by just to see her sweet little smile. Neighbors will be bringing by meals and gifts. The whole family will be making adjustments, changes and plans for the future.

And then there is darling Ruby. Her smile is contagious, her laughter delightful. I have met her through Skype and so look forward to our personal meeting. But....I/we will wait a while. We will let everything settle down, the newness to wear off. Let Ruby get used to her new life and her forever family. Let her forever family become a cohesive unit. She is certainly falling in love with her Momma and her Boppa, more everyday.

By the way, I have no idea how my back ground got so goofed up and I sure hope it doesn't carry over to other posts.

So you can see that we are truly blessed. Love is all around us and we revel in it.

Gratitude:**I am thankful for love. Love knows no boundaries. It knows not distance, race, religion, age, size, time of day, time of year. I love you. You love me. I love that!**

DAY 7- I AM ALIVE

2011-11-30T09:47:00.001-06:00

Hello, my friends.
It has been 7 days, well, I am in my 7th day.
There are hectic moments and there are lulls. I will have my first real 'alone' time today, as Cole is going to a friends this afternoon for a couple hours.
I love being here for my grands. Skype is great. We have seen Ruby and got to hear her laughter. We love seeing Mom and Dad and hearing of their adventures.
It has been an 'eat-out' week so far. On Monday, we went to IHOP, where kids eat free that day. The kids got balloon animals and pigged out on awesome pancakes. On Tuesday, we went to Fazzoli's where kids eat for 99cents-- another great meal that we all loved. Tonight is McDonalds $1.99 Happy Meals. I don't eat McDonalds but these growing kids can easily put away 2 Happy Meals!
The kids have built cardboard box houses. Cole has started a daily newspaper--not of our activities, but mostly football happenings. Carter has worked on a science project about invertebrates. Mya has drawn pictures for everyone. They are always busy, but when they go to bed, they are OUT! Sadly, so am I!
Go to Sara's blog to see current pictures of my darling new granddaughter, Ruby Joy!
Http://footballandfriedrice.blogspot.com
Gratitude:**I am thankful for SKYPE. We are able to communicate face-to-face and in real time.**

GIVEAWAY

2011-11-27T09:51:00.000-06:00

Teri, over at White Sheep Farm, is having an awesome giveaway.
It is a quickie, so hurry over!!!

Day one/early day two

2011-11-25T08:58:00.000-06:00

Sara made a lovely roast with potatoes and carrots with green beans almandine and a loaf of French bread. It was comforting to eat with a big family surrounding me.
We played games.
We watched 'home alone 3'. I stitched.
We went to bed early--for me.......,but I had no trouble falling asleep.
Up at 8:15--way early for me, but come Monday it will be 6:30. I will be amazed if I can do this......
Cole made French toast this morning and it was great!
Do I dare tKe this group out Black Friday shopping?
No guts--no glory!!!
Gratitude:**i am so thankful for the Father that put this family together for me!**

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

2011-11-22T20:05:00.000-06:00

I got this huge package yesterday. I had asked for a special noodle/stove board from my buddy, Carol aka The Firecracker Kid. Look at all the extras she put in that box! Boy, was I surprised----and pleased.
A cutting board, a bonnet, a bag of bells for me to transform, some room spray, a really cute bunny bell, a bag of dried apple slices. a friend card and a couple paper tags. Thank you, Carol. I love everything. You definitely went above and beyond.

And my beautiful, special order noodle board. Isn't it gorgeous? Just what I wanted. Thank you, thank you so much, Carol and Tim!

I put my old noodle/stove board on the dryer, under the pizza oven. Sure beats that old bath towel I had under there!

And check out this surprise....... This little fellow came to us via the dachshund rescue squad. We have participated with the squad many times, helping many little doxies find loving homes. This time, we have decided to keep this one; unless someone steps up and says he belongs to their family--and he responds positively to them. A person has to wonder why such a sweet little dog is all alone in a rural setting without food or shelter. I know there are several reasons this could happen but for no one to be actively searching? This bothers me. He is so sweet and loving and our dogs have accepted that he is staying. We will wait until after the first of the year to get him shots and have him neutered. We have already had him checked out at our vet and he says he is a healthy pup, about 1 year old. We had to be sure before we brought him into our home with our healthy dogs. We haven't chosen a name yet. We have been trying out all kinds of names, hoping to find one he responds to. So far, no luck but we've called him Buddy often enough that he is actually responding to that. Needless to say, I feel bad leaving Mike to go through this adjustment period by himself but it just may be the challenge he needs to keep him occupied while I am gone. For me, it means one more loving companion to come home to.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for so many things everyday.
I am thankful for the love and support and health of my parents.
I am very thankful for my children. They have grown into such wonderful adults and parents.
I am thankful for my grandchildren. They are the very best bunch of kids I have EVER known.
I am thankful for our dogs that bring love and laughter into our home.
I am thankful for my home. I have it almost the way I want it. I am very happy here.
I am thankful for all my blogging friends and the internet, both ultra important to me.
Mostly, I am thankful for my husband. He is my confidante, my companion, my best friend. He provides me with everything I need and he loves me for who I am. He makes me laugh. He comforts me when I cry. He grills. He tills. He mows. He surprises me all the time. He listens to me. He understands me. I couldn't ask for a better husband.
I hope you all count your blessings.**

SWAP, MY CHRISTMAS DECORATING and MENU PLAN

2011-11-20T20:48:00.000-06:00

I recently did a swap with Ann of 1803 Baskets. I sent her some stitchings and just look at what all she sent me! I really, really wanted this Cherokee comb basket. I am loving this prim snowman, pillow tuck, and tiny box! All have found homes here.

See how great the basket looks hanging from this peg shelf?!

And here is my little Christmas tree....

and my all year round tree ( decorated for all the holidays every day ), plus some cinnamon sticks and red berries in a spatter ware pitcher,

pomegranates and evergreen in a jar, some of my waxed pine cones on a penny rug Michelle made for me, and a wood Santa vignette,

my favorite Christmas candle ( peppermint ),

the biggest winter display is here on the dry sink ( lots of snowmen plus more penny rugs from Michelle and a snowman made from a gourd ),

a stained gourd snowman ( I actually like the stained one better than the painted one. )

my new swan ( I used Old English on her. It doesn't show so much in the picture. ) in a treenware trencher I bought from Amy with lots of nuts, pine cones and evergreen,

a snowman in a mitten I got from Nancy,

a cute pillow stitched with snowmen,

a wood-carved snow-woman candle holder and a really cute covered crock,

and part of my snowman collection in my bedroom.
Sadly, it hasn't been such a good week. Two men we know--in totally separate incidents--had heart attacks and went into comas this past week. Neither has shown signs of brain activity and will probably pass before the holiday. One has a daughter who is going to graduate high school in January. And the couple that lives just 2 doors down from us have 2 little boys. The older one--still under 5--had a rare kind of cancer as a baby. He is now having a recurrence of that cancer. It looks like Christmas in Rome may be pretty sad. Prayers for Flynn would be greatly appreciated, as well as Mikala.
On a happier note, I am going to Sara's this Thursday-yes, Thanksgiving Day-to stay with the kids while they go to China for Ruby. They will be back December 9. Mike and I will be sharing our Thanksgiving dinner with Mallory on Wednesday. We bought Marie Callendar TV dinners. Don't want any leftovers that would be wasted!
Mallory is coming up on Wednesday to spend the night. We will be taking her, Chloe and Tristen to Maxwell's Farm to buy the annual boatload of Christmas candy for all the grands. I'm looking forward to this visit. Love to get the little chatterboxes together! We'll play games and I promised to make monkey bread for a snack. ( They don't get to eat the candy until Christmas. It is a tradition. )
SUNDAY~ chili-stuffed baked potatoes, green salad
MONDAY~potato soup, crusty bread
TUESDAY~Codfish nuggets, tater tots, green salad
WEDNESDAY~turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberries, pumpkin cake
THURSDAY~ breakfast: roast beef hash with sunny eggs and toast
Mike is on his own for at least 9 days. It's no big deal. He was on his own for 39 years before I came along and does very well for himself. Clean-up, not so much but I can handle a little kitchen work. I love spending time with my grands but I will be soooooo ready to come home to my hubby, my dogs and my home.......
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for the time we spend together; Mike and me, the kids and me, my parents and me, and YES--you and me. Time is such a precious commodity. We don't know how precious until it is gone. I hope you are thankful for your time, too.**

HUMP DAY!

2011-11-16T12:12:00.000-06:00

Earlier this month, we had a most delightful full moon to enjoy for several nights. Our family room has a large east window and we had a great view. We watched it come up several nights in a row before it began to wane. Don't you just love how GOD creates these fantastic works of art for everyone's pleasure? Such a perfect circle! Reminds me that life is a circle; for some, strength and love--for others misfortune and sorrow. Revel in your joys, for sorrow comes to all.

This week, we went shopping for a Christmas gift for ourselves. Instead of seeking another piece of used furniture for our family room, we chose these great rocker/recliners. Malibu Mink. I was right. They go perfectly with the area rug and they are so comfortable. Merry Christmas to us! LOL
See my 6 gallon crock with the fly screen on it? That's where we store those annoying plastic bags from the stores, as well as the paper bags. I use them as packing in boxes to cushion and separate the individual pieces. Is it just me or does anybody else do this? I have about a dozen ( probably more ) of those reusable bags, but I always ( almost ) forget to take them in, so the plastic bags pile up. Seriously~shouldn't they stop making those? I just hate seeing them blow all over the landscape, caught in trees, fences, ditches, in the water....... They are dangerous to animals and flowers and they clog up our sewage systems. I try to get paper when I can and I use the paper bags to wrap boxes for shipping.

The east end of the room is my space to work. I have a sewing area in the Keeping Room. I've shown pictures of it before, but my handiwork is done right here from my desk or my easy chair. I have this nifty oak stool made by my BIL, John, for a work surface, and a great wood tray to keep my items together. My cedar chest is filled with various supplies and my baskets are filled with fabric I use. I have some packing boxes there and stuffing for pillows. Helpful Hint of the Day~ I buy throw pillows at Goodwill and use the stuffing out of them to make my small pillows. Much cheaper than bags of stuffing. I just throw them into the dryer for about 20 minutes, cut them open and use. I do sort though the pillows and select the best of the bunch. I would never buy anything I wouldn't use myself.

On our most recent trip to Burlington ( to look for our chairs ), I stopped in the Country Peddler while Mike was shopping at Weird Harold's ( used and new cds, etc. ). I found this swan. It isn't hand-carved. In fact, it says 'Made in China' on the bottom, but it is smaller than the one I have and a different position. I think it will fit on my dry sink or a table in our great room. I am going to rub it real good with Old English to tone down the white. Maybe put some red ribbon around its neck for the holidays and set it in a big wood bowl. I'm not sure yet. I'm just happy to have found it.
Gratitude:** I an thankful today for the good weather that is holding out here in the Heartland. We are having above normal temperatures and sunshine. Life is good. **

RECAP OF LAST WEEK and MENU PLAN

2011-11-13T18:41:00.000-06:00

My very good friend, Angie from Lil Raggedy Angie, Is having her very first Open House sale. The above flyer outlines everything. If you are from Ohio, there is no excuse to not go to this. She has some very talented people lined up to set up booths and sell their wares. For more information, contact Angie. Imagine how much fun it will be to actually be able to meet numerous blogging artisans in one place. I envy all who are able to attend.

Mike and I went to vote this week. Did you? We always try to coordinate our errands so we only make 1 trip. We hit the West Liberty Food Store, the library, HyVee and Hyvee Drug Store, plus the only thrift store in town. Mike got the 2 larger of the crocks for $4. I got all 4 of the other items for $1. Yep, 25 cents each. I washed that pink angel off the crock and added a Christmas label. It was just acrylic paint and it washes off easily. The tiny crock, I put a Candy Cane Maker label on it. The cutter go in my cookie jars with my others and the measure went in a yellow ware bowl full of kitchen antiques.

I was busy this weekend. I was waxing; one of my favorite things to do--really. Mike and I went for a drive and picked up a big bag of pine cones. I searched high and low for the perfect bells but couldn't find them. I did, however, find some smaller substitutes. I did candles and clothespins. I had to replenish my wax! That's a lot of waxing! Anyway, I found this old sewing machine drawer in my stash and decided it was a suitable vessel for some pine cones. Next week, the rest of the fall gets put away and I am breaking out the winter/Christmas. It will be much, much less than last year. I am still purging seasonal decor. It's especially hard with the fall stuff. Do you find that you have favorite things that make you really ache when you have to put them out of sight? I do.......

Kitty too cute to pass up for a Monday. I lost all my icons when the computer crashed and it is time-consuming trying to find things again, especially the ones I made on Picnik. I lost all my headers. I did learn a valuable lesson, though. Unplug the external hard drive after each use. Your external hard drive can be 'killed' by the same viruses as your computer. I had to buy a new one for fear that the old one was infected, as well as empty. Update your external hard drive every month when you run your inspections and clean out your cookies and history.
I have been really tired and achy these past few days. I think the weather is going to change, and not for the good. My arthritis is h-u-r-t-i-n-g! Hope it gets better really soon.
SUNDAY~Hamburger Helper Cheesy Hash Browns ( This is one of Mike's favorite dishes. )
MONDAY~Chili with cornbread
TUESDAY~Pork steak, Corn, Green salad
WEDNESDAY~Chicken Parm, buttered noodles, Green salad
THURSDAY~Ham with creamed peas & potatoes
FRIDAY~Tuna casserole, Green Salad
SATURDAY~OUT
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for my parents. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary Saturday. They have certainly been blessed by the Grace of God and they set an example for all of us about marriage. From them, we have learned that marriage is a lifetime commitment and that you may sometimes have to work at it. Happiness doesn't always come naturally or easy. I have truly been blessed to have this remarkable couple leading me along my way. Thank you, God. **

THRIFT FINDS

2011-11-09T09:40:00.000-06:00

Yesterdays trip to town was to vote for mayor and council, but we never go to town for just one reason. With the price of gas fluctuating daily, we try to make sure we have at least 3 errands. Our second errand was to mail some payments for the city. Our third errand was to visit the thrift stores! We stopped at a used furniture store where they actually are recycling items they purchase at auctions. I got this pair of 17th/18th century brown pottery canning jars for $25. To me, a real steal. I love brown pottery. I got the covered, one quart crock for $2 at the Hopefully Yours store. I have already put a prim label over the logo for a restaurant. And the butt basket for $1.38 at Goodwill. Inside the basket are 3 containers of unique beads I picked up for $2 for the girls to work with when they come over. They are so beautiful, not pony beads but really nice beads.

On a different trip, I got this little covered crock. It had a little Christmas scene on it but I thought this prim butter label better suited my display and I can use it all year round.

These are the bells I waxed some time back. It is time to start pulling out the winter decor.

I waxed these pine cones just the other day and I love how they look. I used a cinnamon oil in my wax and I mixed some evergreen with the pine cones. This will look good all winter and for many winters to come.

An open cheese crock I found at Goodwill---I added a prim label and some grubby candles---looks great on my display in the guest room

2 boxes I found at Goodwill last week---I have a blue just like the white one. I know I should have left it there for someone who could find a space for it. Anyone interested in this piece? I have plans for the small one

I just love this little basket, painted and decorated to look like a pumpkin--an 88 cent bargain at Goodwill.

My favorite treasure--a hand-carved wood wall box. I just love these kinds of pieces. I think about the love that went into their creations, the many hands they have passed through and the many places they have been.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for the kind and generous nature of people. It is so important that we all recycle these treasures for others to take home and cherish. If it weren't for their kindness and generosity, we couldn't find these bargains! And, if we didn't take our items in, others couldn't find their treasures!**

SPECIAL FRIENDS AND ★MENU PLAN★

2011-11-06T23:45:00.000-06:00

I have been so blessed by friendship here on the blogs. The people I have "met" have ( for the most part ) been so kind and generous, easy to relate to and sympathetic to the ups and downs of life. I am so fortunate that people continue to read the drivel that I spew. It has not been a good year. That said----on Saturday, I received not 1 but 2 surprise packages. This first one is from Mary--Visits With Mary. Mary is a real sweetheart and I do love to visit her uplifting blog. Thanks you so much, Mary, for your handmade ornament for my year round tree. The magnet is hanging on our freezer and I will put the floss to good use. I really love your handmade card. I used to make cards with Sara, our daughter. I don't find doing it by myself to be so much fun.

Betty J from Through My Backdoor was so sympathetic on the recent loss of our dog of 15 years--Clifford. She sent us this book and it is so inspirational. I must say that I cried-a lot-when I read it the first time, but it is so heartwarming. It puts a very positive spin on what happens in heaven. Betty says a friend of hers sent her a copy of this precious story when she lost her beloved rottweiler and knew it would be a good read for our family. Thank you, Betty. You are so thoughtful. I love this book.

We stayed home most of the week, going out only on Thursday. We went to Iowa City for lunch and to check out the Goodwills. We found a couple books and Mike picked up a Roseville of Ohio crockery bowl. I got a couple picture frames that I will need to paint, an awesome cutting board and a handmade wood box. I'll try to remember to take pictures of it later. I waxed 3 1/2 dozen pine cones for a winter display. I did a lot of stitching, a lot. I did all that regular housework, laundry, cooking stuff. *sigh*
A pretty boring week...... I guess that is good since the coming weeks will be very, very busy. With the holidays approaching, finishing up our terms with the city, Ruby Joy coming home, shopping, planning a day for the kids and grandkids so they can have Christmas Day in their own homes. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. It's almost time to do Christmas cards. Good Grief!
We have our council meeting tomorrow night. I will have paperwork to do. I need to go to town to mail packages and get an oil change. It is supposed to rain again this week and for that we are grateful. We got 2" last week. The satellite repairman said our drought conditions caused my Wild Blue to be sporadic. He fixed it. Thank you, Daniel. Mercy, my thoughts are all scattered. I should just give you my menu plan for this coming week.
SUNDAY~ chicken fried steak, lima beans, mashed potatoes & gravy
MONDAY~ chicken and peppers with tortellini
TUESDAY~ pizza
WEDNESDAY~ ham and beans with cornbread
THURSDAY~ Kung Pao chicken with fried rice
FRIDAY~ cauliflower and cheese soup with crusty bread
SATURDAY~ Subway
Gratitude:**I am thankful for the continuation of fall. We haven't yet turned on our furnace. We always hold out until November 1 and we are still managing to go without. I know it won't be long, but we are really enjoying the savings. LP is so expensive this year.....**

RANDOM THOUGHTS

2011-11-02T11:33:00.002-05:00

This is our blind dog, Tate. He is just like any other dog, except that he is blind. He knows his limitations and he knows his 'place'. He finds his way around our dog/family room, as well as our fenced-in yard. He needs to be carried down the stairs but makes it up them just fine. He has a path worn from circling the perimeter. He sure knows it when he finds a place in the sun!

This little prairie doll was a gift from Nancy over at Inside Nana's Head. Nancy says she made Annabelle several years ago, but was unhappy with her because she is thin-too thin for Nancy. Well, I love her and her apron made from an old doily. Thank you, Nancy! She is prim perfect for me!

I've shown this before, but there are new readers who may have missed this one. This is our guest bathroom. It is a tiny room. In fact, most of our rooms are pretty small, except for our great room.

This is what is hidden by that shower curtain. Yes, my hubby made shelves from plywood and 2x4's. They will be simple to remove if we decide to and the shower area will be just as it was before. I store a lot of my craft supplies, fabric, candles, etc. here. It has been a blessing to have this space for storage.

I changed up this corner this week. I adore brown crockery. I've had the 4 jugs on the bench for several years. The 4 on the floor are new to me this summer. I just got the 4 gallon one at the Salvation Army store the other day. I still have my covered snuff jar over to the left but out of the picture. You can also see my collection of mashers on the bench, some of my older rolling pins in the #4 and some of my butter paddles in the smaller crock.

I got this sweet little turkey at Goodwill for 88 cents. She is handmade. Someone asked me about our Goodwill pricing. The stores I usually visit are called the Heartland Goodwill stores--Davenport, Muscatine, Fairfield, Burlington, Washington, Oskaloosa, Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids and Marion and maybe a couple more. They are all notified by the head office as to the color of the day and they all have the same pricing schedule. Each center has price setters chosen by head office. 38 cents is the lowest price but I know you can get 6 tube hangers for 38 cents. Then it's 88 cents and just add a dollar to those: 1.38, 1.88, 2.38, 2.88, etc........ I hunt for good things at good prices. I don't buy cracked or chipped, dirty or missing pieces or clothes for other people. I love to get a good purse there and the occasional prim items. Mostly, I find usable things or things I know will please other people.

I love this log bench. I got it at an auction in St. Paul years ago, before I even heard of prim. I guess I was prim when prim wasn't cool......... I also got this wormwood bed stead for $1 at an auction. It has a huge headboard, 12" sideboards and this footboard. Mike and I used to sleep in it but to be honest--it is just too short for us. I love it and cannot see me letting it go. I've had it about 30 years. It looks perfect with all the antiques in this room.

Another treasure I found at a garage sale this summer is this trio of spice bottles--with spices--for a quarter! I just love the look of them. They look pretty good with this stack of miscellaneous yellowware, don't they?
I have been busily stitching, trying to get some things I promised out before I go to Sara's to stay with the kids. She and Bill should be going to China in just a few weeks.
There really isn't much going on here. I've had computer trouble so much the past few months. This time, I couldn't keep an internet connection. I have the Wild Blue satellite so I called the local guy. He said that this dry spell caused the ground to move away from the post so he fixed that and now things are fine. 2 weeks I had that problem! I was properly scolded. I am getting some of the quirks figured out. Thanks, Carmen, for sharing the zoom thing with me.
Last Tuesday, we visited Sara and the kids. My legs were bothering me but they always are. 2 hours in the car each way is a lot for us. We usually stop and walk often. Well, as it happens, I have a varicose vein on the back of my right knee. It got swollen and sore--very sore. I finally went to the doctor on Thursday and he said it was ulcerated and I had clots. Not to worry! It is a surface vein. Couldn't take anything for pain because I already take an aspirin every morning for my heart and Meloxicam every night for my arthritis. He said that was enough. I had to use a heating pad off and on for a few days to make the clots break up. I am lucky that it wasn't a deeper vein.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for my sense of smell. I know when it is spring because I can smell the fresh-turned soil of the fields and the lilacs out my window. I can smell chicken frying for a summer picnic. I love to smell that sweet baby powder smell of babies. I love the smell of a tea rose, coffee brewing, new leather, Chinese cooking, puppy breath and oak trees in autumn....... **

MY SWAP WITH GINA

2011-10-29T12:26:00.000-05:00

I recently sent Gina some bittersweet and some stitchings and this is what she sent me. I love this velour pumpkin. I don't know how she did this but it is so sweet. It has a real stem, just love it. And I had never seen one of these caramel apples in person--very cool. Mike and I love the actual caramel apples( we have eaten over a dozen this season. ). She also included some autumn salt dough ornies, a candle wrap, a dishtowel, and a layered wax jack-o-lantern ornie for my all-season tree. And the real surprise was this huge doll. She is a character and she is sitting in a chair all by herself. She is as big as a small child! She is definitely watching over the other dolls. She has thermal bloomers, individual fingers and a finely sculpted nose. Oh, my! If Angie's witch hat would only fit her head, she could be dressed for Halloween! Thank you so very, very much, Gina! I love swapping! Don't you?
Gratitude:**I am thankful for, and sorry for, all the animals that provide food for us. I have seen the circumstances under which they live and I feel so bad for them. It doesn't change the fact that I love proteins. I crave meat, fish, cheese and eggs. That will never change, but as we get older, I find myself eating less of them. I really wish they could raise these animals in more humane situations. For me, living in the Midwest, I can find local farm-raised meat. For so many, the meat available is from confinement conditions only. I am so thankful that we have a large population of conscientious farmers where I live.**

A to Z and SOME STITCHINGS

2011-10-27T01:27:00.000-05:00

Again, blogger has taken over and decided how this post is going to be. I had planned to have a picture between each letter, though totally unrelated to the subject matter. *sigh* I guess you can tell that pictures are first and the ABC's will be below this. I can see how this is frustrating to so many. The above pictures are my most recent stitchings; pillows, tucks and framed pieces. All are available upon request. So here are my ABC's:

A is for AGE--well, I like to think I am ageless. In my mind, I am barely 30, but my body argues that fact.

B is for bed--well, of course, we have one. It is relatively new, having been purchased this summer. It has a memory foam top and is our first queen-sized bed. Our frame is Mission Oak. We find it to be extremely roomy as we have always slept in a double bed and usually with a child or several dogs.

C is for CHORE I HATE: I hate them all. I would love to have a housekeeper and cook!

D is for Dog: I love them all but, right now, I prefer the ones who live with us.

E is for ESSENTIAL START TO THE DAY: Bathroom-coffee-computer and in that order

F is for favorite color: I prefer dramatic color-greens in particular.

G is for gold or silver: I don't understand how G can be for silver, but must admit that I prefer gold anyway.

H is for HEIGHT: I have always been tall but find I am slowly getting shorter. Hmmmmmm......

I is for INSTRUMENT I PLAY: blood glucose monitor and I am pretty good with it.

J is for JOB TITLE: I am many things to many people. That happens to women. These days my main job is companion to my loving husband.

K is for KIDS: Yes. I have 4 children and 12 grandchildren. I have had 6 foster children. I had a state-licensed day care in my home for many years so I could stay home and raise my children. Then I went to work as a teacher at HeadStart with preschool age children for 20 years.

L is for LIVE IN: We live in a house in a very small village in Iowa. We love living in a somewhat rural setting in the Midwest. We live on the corner, catty corner from the playground.

M is for MAKE OF CARE: I drive a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT.

N is for NICKNAME: My hubby calls me Wanda Sue and my screen name is lindanuts, which is what I consider an endearment used by my kids and their friends during their high school years.

O is for OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: Yes--numerous

P is for PET PEEVE: I cannot tolerate a liar.

Q is for QUOTE FROM A MOVIE: "I'll be your huckleberry." Val Kilmer in Tombstone

R is for Right or left handed: Again, cannot see R standing for left, but I am right handed.

S is for SIBLINGS: I have 2 younger sisters and a younger brother.

T is for TV SHOWS: I love TV. Castle, Body of Proof, Rizzoli & Iles, NCIS, Criminal Minds, the Middle, the Big Bang Theory, Dancing with the Stars, Justice, Sons of Anarchy

U is for UNDERWEAR: yes--cotton granny panties

V is for VEGGIE YOU HATE: I love all fresh vegetables, but I cannot eat factory canned spinach or asparagus, corn, peas, green beans, etc. Our home-canned are so good.

W is for WHAT MAKES ME LATE: I dawdle.

X is for X-RAYS: yes-lots of them.

Y is for YUMMY FOOD I MAKE: I love my meatloaf, my stuffing and my chicken and rice but my husband says he loves everything I make. He says I am a very good cook.

Z is for ZOO ANIMALS: I love them all. The otters are fun. The penguins are cute. I love all the babies.......

In the Halloween spirit: WHAT SCARES ME: Truthfully--my dreams/hallucinations. They are so vivid.

And finally, 5 things you may not know about me----

1. I was in a car accident 34 years ago. I was driving alone and was t-boned by a pickup truck. I went into the passenger's side window. I had many cuts and alot of glass embedded in my face. My nose was cut off. A wonderful lady doctor sewed it back on. I distinctly remember her putting tubes in my nose to line it back up with my sinuses and eyes. There was no pain--at the time. I have alot of scars on my face from that.

2. I had my tubes tied in August of 1976. My Sara was born in April of 1977.

3. I was an avid scrapbooker just a few years ago. That was before I got my first computer.

4. I have been active in city government here in Rome for 20 years.

5. My favorite dessert is a twist ice cream cone.

Gratitude:** I am thankful for my sense of hearing.For without it, I could not hear my favorite music, or an ambulance, or my grandchildren laughing, or the choir in Church, or my dogs barking when someone comes into the yard, or birds chirping outside my window, or my dear husband softly snoring next to me. I am blessed to have good hearing and I hope I never take it for granted.**

FALL WANDERINGS and MY WEEKLY MENU

2011-10-23T17:33:00.000-05:00

Saturday was so beautiful here--67' with a slight breeze. We decided to take off and meander the rural byways of Henry County. Since Clifford's passing, we have doted even more on our little dog companions, so we opted to take the only one who actually enjoys the ride in a car. Gillian--she is the oldest of those we still have. She will be 12 on November 22 and she is Daddy's girl. For some reason, all the female family members seem to think highly of this man--me included! Here she is, in her station as co-pilot.

We saw old barns and cows napping in the shade,

a nifty round, brick barn that I could easily live in,

an abandoned barn with a windmill and brick silo.

Here Gillian waits for her fearless leader to return from the convenience store where he purchased ice cream for all 3 of us. Boy, did she ever think that was cool!

Down by the river, we watched a couple of guys drive a 4 wheeler all the way across the river. It has been so dry here that there are rock reefs and sandbars close enough together they could cross easily and even drove down the length for quite a ways. There was a lot of splashing, but I /we would have loved to have been following them on a 4 wheeler!

You can see in this pic how the river has dropped and weeds have even grown where river used to run.

Here some guys walked out on the sandbar to do some fishing.

This is our house from across the street. Our hostas have all died back. The small evergreens are in barrel pots. I wanted to contain them so they didn't get too big. The one on the corner is named Douglas(7) and the one in the center is named Willa(5). Yes, I named these. I hope we can move them next spring when we divide the hostas. They are just huge and I've asked people for the last 2 years to help divide them and take what they wanted but no one showed up. So....we are going to divide them ourselves and plant some on the fence row and pitch the rest. *sigh* I think if I set them on the curb in boxes, maybe neighbors would take them when we weren't looking. LOL maybe......

The petunias in the ground are still blooming and looking great. The frost got our profusion zinnias. Mike deadheaded them and put them in a big tin to plant next season.

Friday I met my sister and we finished moving our brother's things to his new apartment and then took him out for lunch and to his cancer doctor appointment. The doctor gave him a positive checkup and said see you in 4 months. He is going to start speech therapy there in Quincy to learn how to properly use his electro-larnyx. He says he gets lonely some but he has a homemaker for 4 hours each weekday and visits his wife once a week. Basically he is happy where he is and the way things are. He has internet and cable, a nice warm bed and easy access to all of downtown. I think it's the best place he has EVER had.
I got home in time to go out for supper at the VFW with my hubby and then to the high school football game at Mapleleaf Field in Mt Pleasant. Our 7 year old granddaughter, Tristen ( aka Biscuit ) had taken a cheerleading camp and all the second graders were performing their cheers during the second quarter. I seriously wish I had taken my camera so I could videotaped her. She can really kick high. It was fun , though chilly, and we were all very proud of her. She says next fall she is going to play flag football. Lookout, Grandma and Grandpa! Those bleachers are so cold and hard. We stood right next to the fence so we could see her and she knew where we all were. For a whole game? We'll figure out some kind of butt warmers!

SUNDAY~pork chop and stuffing casserole with a baked sweet potato
MONDAY~chicken quessadillas with guacamole and chips
TUESDAY~smoked sausage with peppers and onions and hot bread
WEDNESDAY~vegetable beef soup and hot bread
THURSDAY~meatball/marinara subs
FRIDAY~ shrimp stirfry and egg rolls
SATURDAY~round steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas
I haven't heard from Angie but I'm sure she is swamped with unpacking and making this house her home.
I've been trying my best to visit my besties but reloading programs and finding sites I used to have bookmarked is very time-consuming. iTunes is my most difficult so far. I'm having to download from the iPod to the computer and every time I think I've got it, I hit another roadblock. It will come in time. That virus corrupted my external hard drive, too. Now I have to figure out how to load my pictures and music to flash drives every month. And they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.......
Gratitude:**I am so thankful that my brother has settled in and is somewhat happy with his circumstances. I am happy that little Tillie is safely in her parents home and doing well. I am grateful that I have the chance to rebuild my computer. I am thankful that I have loving and supportive husband. And I am grateful to have a close and loving family and so many sweet blog friends.**

GIFTS and PROJECTS

2011-10-19T15:26:00.003-05:00

That Lil Raggesy Angie cannot let a month go by without showering me with gifts and lavishing me with attention. She has called me faithfully to ask me if I'm doing okay. She has also been without her home computer and we have been sympathizing with each other. I think I got the best of this deal. All I sent was some frame stands and she sent all this loot! I love the buckeye burrs. They look so neat in my naturals bowls!

Cindy of Cynthia Lee Designs shared her stitching with me. I really, really wish I had an embroidery machine. These are so beautiful. I love the grapevine star with berries and crow in a mitten. She even included the rolling pin! Thanks for sharing with me. You are a sweetheart......

Lynn from Life on the Wienee Ranch surprised me during my hiatus with this package of darlings! She also included some lip balms for my granddaughters. I'm saving them to give the girls for Halloween. They will love them. Isn't this bear just precious? Everything is so sweet. Thank you very much for thinking of me Lynn.

During my down time, I put prim labels on my pantry jars.

I also waxed votives with grapevine wreaths, big bells, pears, candles and corn nubbies.

Carmen, this one is for you. If you enlarge by clicking on the picture, you can see the crows in the birdcage.

Carmen from Primcats House made a batch of these with our friend Angie and sent me one. I just love it. It reminds me of Carmen, Angie and Robin. They are my murder of crows!
Gratitude:** While I have mixed feelings about this whole episode ( l-o-n-g story ), I am thankful for my computer. It was wiped clean and I am going to be working on bringing it back to the machine I was once comfortable with. I really am grateful that I have the opportunity to get on line with my fellow bloggers, search for answers on Google, shop for bargains on eBay, and catch up on entertainment news. **

AS PROMISED...

2011-10-12T13:57:00.000-05:00

These are my thrift store finds. I made a slight error in my calculating. I can explain. Under the candle holder is a nifty round cutting board that I plan to make into a candle paddle. I got it at a yard sale for 75 cents. That brings my total to $4.65.
the tiny punkin with a house on top - 88 cents
the adorable painted box - Halloween themed - 88 cents
the prim, fat pear - 38 cents
the candle board with rusty star and fluted, tin candle holder - 88 cents ( no make-over necessary )
the wood pumpkin - 88 cents
Really was my day to catch bargains
I've been kind of blah lately. Still haven't located my pics or folders and have had no contact with the computer repair person. Oh, well, it will all come in time. Just not doing anything worth mentioning.
I have my crock pot of dipping wax warming up and plan to wax and roll in spices. If things turn out like I hope, I will share pictures.
I got a new camera last week. My old one was just worn out. So I am learning some new features. Took lots of scenery pictures but don't want to bore anybody with my vacation pictures. I can just tell you that the trees, fields and water were all very beautiful.
Monday night we went to granddaughter, Chloe's, first band concert. She is in 5th grade and has been in band for about 2 months. It was very interesting. It is great to be able to see the kids do these things.
I have been stitching and framing and making more tucks.
Getting things ready for winter, preparing for the worst but praying for the best.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for the safe delivery of my newest great-niece: Tillie Marie. Hugs and happiness to the lucky parents and big sister, Lanee. Big congratulations to my sister, Patti and her husband, Mike on the arrival of their 6th grandchild!**

AND THE WINNER IS.....

2011-10-08T18:33:00.003-05:00

Well, it was a long day; lots of driving, but enjoyable despite a couple snags along the way. Mallory's marching band did not march in the parade. They were to perform in an invitational only. She had told us the parade was at 11:00, but it was really at 2:00. We went on to Rutledge to Martin's Meat Locker where we usually buy our beef roasts, round steaks, rope sausage, summer sausage, ham, braunschweiger, and side meat. We usually buy quite a bit, so it was a worthwhile trip. They we drove back to Kahoka only to discover that the invitational performance wasn't until 8:40. We finally gave up the idea we were going to see Mallory perform today. As it turns out, she is coming to spend the afternoon with us tomorrow so we will get to see her after all. We went to Keosauqua and walked through the flea market. There were 2 prim booths and a metal work booth. I ended up buying some rusty bells ( 70 cents ) and a dozen dog treats for my companions. We ate these new things called funnel fries. They are funnel cake batter poured into like French fries, deep fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar. They offered a drizzle of caramel or chocolate, but we prefer just powdered sugar. Mike bought a homemade root beer which I thought was awful so he drank it. My Mom used to make homemade root beer when we were kids and it sure was better than that. On our way home, we stopped at the Goodwill and I spent $3.90. I will post a picture of my goodies from there later. We washed the car and headed home. The dogs were glad to see us and super glad that I brought home treats. I put away the meat we had purchased and checked my emails. I had 20 names on my comments. I wrote them out on paper, folded them haphazardly, and let Mike draw a name. He chose Janet McClure-the Olde Crow herself! I have her address ( from the blog directory ) and will be mailing the stitchery out on Monday!
A big thank you to everyone for the delightful welcome back. It feels good to be back. You guys are all great!
Gratitude:**I am thankful for my computer and my blog. My Mom called last night to relay to me that my sister had asked about me because I hadn't blogged lately. My blog helps me to keep contact with my family. I love that! So, thank you, Sis! Thanks for your concern and caring.**

I'M BACK! DID U MISS ME?

2011-10-07T18:51:00.001-05:00

I have been jonesing for my bloggy family. Things are not perfect yet. There are a lot of missing pieces to my puzzle, but it will come. I am not good with change, so I am struggling. I am whining here, but I can't find my pictures, my folders full of icons, my folders of City documents, all my headers........ *sigh*
With the exception of a trip to the new Goodwill store in Burlington, not much going on here. I found this delightful Marshall, Texas honey pot with drizzler ( $1.38 ). I was stunned to find this.

I found this darling covered casserole. It is Monmouth pottery and I do love that. It will look great with my blue pieces. I got it for $3.38.

This is my favorite piece. Watt Pottery, large bowl, hairline crack about 4" long and a chip on the outside lip and all for $5.38. It is a perfect display piece for the pears I plan to wax.
It has been a week full of long, long days. Luckily, the weather has been beautiful. Mike did take me down to Oakland Mills to take some autumn pictures. It is so beautiful there and the trees are just fantastic. I love hearing the sound of water running over the rocks, feeling the breeze ruffle my hair, watching my husband smile for my camera. It was a good time.
Yesterday, we drove all the way up to northern Iowa to visit Pike's Peak Park. 6 hours in the car and the park was closed--blocked off, road removed! We couldn't believe it. They are replacing the road up the hill, no way to get in! But, we didn't let that get us down!
We drove over to Wisconsin and checked out a few things. We drove through Potosi. Another interesting city! It is all on one road, one long road. It is in a valley between some really high hills. On one side, all the houses are built against the hillside. On the other side, there is a creek that runs the length of the city, so all the houses are built out away from the base of the hills. It was a very charming town with lots of business, restaurants, the brewery, lots to look at and do. We thought it was a really interesting town and would be awesome to live just down the street from every resident in town!
We drove down to Sabula-Iowa's only island city. It is only accessible by bridge from Iowa or Illinois. It is 9 blocks long and 3 blocks wide. We could not believe the amount of traffic there. Despite that, we decided Sabula is a pretty nice place to live.

While I was away from bloggerville, I did some more stitching. I modified this stitching to fit a 5x7 frame.
Carmen, I have to look up some spring/summer ideas. My folder titled-'LABELS and PATTERNS'-is one of those missing things. I promise to get those done really soon. Thank you so, so much for the can of crows. I am l-o-v-i-n-g it! I know Angie helped on craft night so big thanks to her, too.
Nancy, I am mailing out your stitchings and you should receive them in plenty of time for your show.
Robin, thank you for making my day with the snail mail card! Totally unexpected and totally delightful.
Angie, thank you so much for checking on me so faithfully and for your sweet card. You are so sweet to me.... I love your great big heart!
Tisha, thanks so much for brightening my day with your phone call. It was awesome to hear your voice!
Michelle- I got your package today and will post soon. They turned out so beautiful! I absolutely love the red one and the tree skirt will be perfect for our small tree. You are a doll for always listening to me and for always, always making exactly what I see in my mind's eye.You know me so well.........

I have plans to go to southern Iowa and into Missouri tomorrow. It is the weekend for the most colorful trees and Van Buren County has a scenic drive. They have activities set up all along the road that meanders through the county. I'm looking forward to the funnel cake and the flea market.
There is a parade in Kahoka, Missouri, at 11:00 AM and Mallory will be marching in it with the band. We love watching her march. Since she is a junior, there are a limited number of parades for her......
Anyway, to get to something more interesting---I am giving this stitching away to one of my faithful readers. The catch is--I am drawing tomorrow night, so it's less than 24 hours. I want to be able to mail it out on Monday!
Gratitude:**I am thankful that I was able to locate a local geek squad person. Seriously, she is a sweet local gal, very prompt and very reasonable. She said she found 837 trojans and viruses on my computer--the most she'd ever found. I was so lucky to have found her!**

★A GIFT★SWAPS★FAMILY ROOM MAKEOVER★

2011-09-28T13:34:00.001-05:00

See this sweet little raggedy pin keep? She has joined my growing collection and I am loving her! CYNDY sent her to me this week. What a nice surprise! Thank you, Cyndy! I'm going to name her 'Angie'. Just because............

I was recently in a private swap with RACHEL and these are some of the goodies she sent me. Blackened wax ornies for my year round tree.......

A wood candle box ( I switched out the candle to a grubby one )
a salt dough sheep and a fabric one--perfect for my sheep collection

a package of salt dough bowl fillers - pumpkins and stars, perfect for fall
Thank you so much Rachel! I love everything! I hope you enjoy what I have sent you.

I also did a swap with TRACE. I am overwhelmed by this gal's generosity! I told her I had nothing made of wool and she said she would send me one of her 'fall' boxes. I had no idea! 2 pumpkin-adorned pillows, a gorgeous angel(love her safety pin hair), 2 pumpkins with really long stems-never saw these before(awesome), an apple pin keep, 3 apple bowl fillers, 3 Yankee votives, really cute napkins ( saving these for Thanksgiving dinner ) and some really neat fall leaves. Trace, you outdid yourself! I love everything! I hope you enjoy what I sent you.

Just another pile of pillows I made this week----I have most of them sent out already. They are so much fun to make and I have more sayings to embroider and turn into pillows/tucks or framed pieces. If you see something you like, just tell me so. Chances are, I can do it for you!

I finally finished this peg rack for some candles.

Looks like I need to raise the one on the left. There's a light switch under the one on the right.

This is how the family room did look.

This is how it looks now. I think the rug ( Goodwill $12 ) makes the room look much longer. Got the Lazy Boy at Stuff,ETC for $50. I hate the fabric on the loveseat but not much I can do about that. I put a quilt on the seat--protection from the dogs--and draped a lap blanket over it.

This is our new infrared heater. It's on casters so we can move it wherever, whenever.

I changed out this vignette.

I got this crock shelf at a used furniture store for $25. I know it has a tole painting on it but I'm okay with that. It may be country but I'm still a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n roll. This quilt doll was a freebie at a Church sale.

I found this candle box at Goodwill for 88 cents and put a label on it. Works for me!

Gratitude:**I am thankful for the health of my parents, the happiness of my children, the love of my husband and the entertainment of my dogs.**

★MENU PLAN★FALL DECOR★

2011-09-25T22:11:00.001-05:00

Some little Japanese lanterns beside my scarecrow lady gardener make everything feel more festive. After this season, I will take the lanterns off their stems and put them in a Ball jar. They will last indefinitely that way.

I love to use naturals in my displays. Michelle made my autumn penny rug. The candy corn and adorable mice are from Becky over at Primitive Stitchings. The pumpkin in front is from Traci. I painted the gourds and made the sugar corn. I don't recall where I got the pumpkins, but each one is from somewhere different.

I can't bear to put away any of my dolls. They are all out all the time. I just add different things to adapt to the current season. Therefore, a pumpkin.

Cyndy made me this cute little scarecrow bowl filler.

bittersweet tree I found at Goodwill for 88 cents, a Ball jar filled with raffia and some of Michelle's salt dough bowl fillers, a prim wood pumpkin I found at Goodwill and a bowl filled with some gourd eggs that I waxed, a couple cinnamon balls form Nancy, a tiny sugared pumpkin and more of Michelle's salt doughs and all on a penny rug I got on eBay

close-up of that bowl

another of Michelle's penny rugs, a pear make-do from Brenda, a candle paddle I made, and a bowl full of putka pods from my sweet sister and a variety of other autumn goodes

a close-up of that bowl

pumpkin with crow made by Wendy, penny rug made by Michelle, shoo fly and cinnamon apples made by me

framed stitching from Tammy, garden angel and pumpkins from Beryl

candle stick from Cyndy, flag from Goodwill, table square from eBay, florals from Hobby Lobby and basket purchased at Goodwill and painted by me

butt basket from a sale, pumpkin and corn from Goodwill

my family's favorite harvest decor............

What a beautiful week! I spoke with Mom just the other day and she sounded so relaxed and, well, she sounded happy. Made me feel really good.
We've had sprinkles a couple times but no real rain. At least, the temperatures are cooperative and the grass no longer crunches under foot.
We went out for our Endless Shrimp and it was delicious. The sweet and spicy is my new favorite. No real luck at any of the 3 Goodwills we stopped at but we also stopped at Stuff, ETC and found Mike a nice Lazy Boy. A few weeks ago, I found an area rug at Goodwill for $12. Sounds like the beginning of a family room redo!!
We had discussed buying an infrared heater for the family room last winter but they were all out of them by the time we got there. We don't have duct work in the family room, as it was added on to the house. We have an Aladdin gas, free-standing fireplace but it is so expensive to run and it has no thermostat. It's either hot or cold, on or off. We went to Menard's and they had the perfect heater for us and within our budget. We had to order it and it was in in 2 days. So we spent the day today moving furniture, vacuuming and dusting and putting things back together. The heater looks like a fireplace with logs that you can adjust the flame on--brighter or dimmer ( remote control ), a thermostat to adjust the temperature and a blower to move the warm air about. It's only about 3' tall and maybe 3 1/2' wide, but we are going to love it. It's on casters so we can move it whenever and wherever we want.
Other than that, we were home all week, just enjoying the new season of TV programming and each other's company.
SUNDAY~Stuffed baked potatoes, sliced tomatoes
MONDAY~Loaded potato soup, crusty French bread
TUESDAY~chicken, mushroom and spinach lasagna, sliced tomatoes
WEDNESDAY~French bread sausage pizza
THURSDAY~Mike's chili
FRIDAY~tilapia Parmesan, hash browns, green salad
SATURDAY~chili dawgs, cottage cheese, chips
I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Gratitude:**I am thankful for HD TV. It really does make a big difference. I never believed it would. I can remember watching black and white television, not by choice but because it was all that was offered. We had 2 channels, sometimes 3. There was a rotor that moved the antenna so we could access a different area or fine tune a channel. I remember Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, Captain Kangaroo and Steamboat Ernie cartoons. Boy, it has come a long way in my lifetime. I love TV.**
And a birthday wish for Robyn Ference of Primlish. She and my Mom share 9/26 as their birthday. Happy Birthday, Girls!

★MY GOOD FRIEND, MISI★AND A PROJECT★

2011-09-22T21:51:00.000-05:00

I got the best surprise package today. It was from Misi over at 1890 Gable House Musings. It smelled so very good as I opened it. I had been told how delightful her candles are, but they are so much more than I ever imagined. Everything was wrapped so nicely--something I can never seem to manage. See that cute little package? It's filled with harvest potpourri and a tart and a sprig of gold yarrow. The clear cello bag is filled with spiced corn and blackened owls and squirrels. They'll be great in a bowl of corn or nuts. But my favorite gift is the little dried gourds. They are so cute and they fit in to my naturals theme. I just love them. Thank you, Misi. This was really sweet of you.

I had been making lots of stitchings and just checking out how some sayings looked and what I could do with them. I made these pillows.

These ones are little tucks, for shelves or baskets/bowls, or anywhere. I think they turned out really cute but I may be biased. At least, now I know I can do it. Not to worry, I won't be competitive in the open market. LOL

I made these two bigger than a tuck but smaller than a pillow.
Some of these are gone already as I mailed out a few packages this week and they made nice, cushiony filler.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for the invention of the microwave oven. It is one modern convenience that I am truly thankful for.**

2011-09-21T06:23:00.002-05:00

TODAY - SEPTEMBER 21 - IS A DAY FOR CELEBRATION!
TODAY IS LIL RAGGEDY ANGIE'S BIRTHDAY!
SHE IS A WHOPPING 25 AGAIN THIS YEAR!
PLEASE GO OVER AND WISH HER A HAPPY, HAPPY DAY
AND LET HER KNOW HER GIFT-FROM ME-IS IN THE MAIL!
IT IS ALSO MY LITTLE MAN TATE'S BIRTHDAY. HE IS 11 AND THE PROUD SIRE OF 56 PUPPIES! ( sorry Ang, but you do share the day with my buddy boy )
Gratitude:**I am thankful to have become close friends with Lil Raggedy Angie! She is kind, sweet, talented, funny, hard-working, lovable, daring and strong. She is a great friend to all that cross her path. Love that girl!**
For some reason, unknown to me, blogger isn't letting me schedule this post for tomorrow. Grrrr!

★MY GOOD LUCK★AND MENU PLAN★

2011-09-18T14:25:00.000-05:00

It was a cool, crisp, early morning for us. We actually set the alarm clock, which we are loathe to do. I showered and Mike fed the dogs. We took Gillian with us and headed out. We had a definite agenda.
Niota for the Firehouse sale( actually for the Appanoose Church )
Nauvoo for Sts. Peter and Paul sale
And Mom's for a visit
Then back to Niota for their lunch and bake sale
Then to Kahoka, Missouri for the 26th annual Mule Days--our first visit.
On our way back north, we'd stop at Cantril's Dutchman's store for some goodies.
After that, we planned to go to Donnelson, IA for Apple Daze
and finally, Mt. Pleasant to the marching bands invitational.
Well, we kind of over-estimated our endurance. By the time we were done at Mule Days, we were cashed. Cantril was on the way and we did stop. All we got were melons and some fabric.
My best and only luck was at Niota. I got all the above items for $16.35.
I found nothing at Sts.Peter and Paul sale and I found nothing at the flea market in Kahoka, though the mule show was fantastic. Mom and Dad seemed to be doing very well, though Mom was a bit dizzy. I suspect she needed to eat; perhaps had low blood sugar or she overdid her blood pressure meds. That is easy to do. They were going to one of the great-grands birthday parties with my sister. We had taken them some bacon and cheese from the outlet store. I may have told you before but the plant that produces the turkey, ham, beef, cheese and bacon for Subway stores is right here in Mt. Pleasant. They sell the meatballs--several different flavors, raw but frozen turkey breasts, sausage links, raw but frozen bacon, much more that I can't recall. Anyway, they sell precooked bacon slices--150 of them for $17.50. They come in a large package with 10 slices per sheet. You just peel off what you want and microwave for 30-45 seconds. We just fold a sheet and put it-sheet and all-in the microwave for 45 seconds. That's 2 sandwiches or breakfasts. And they sell end pieces of the cheeses. You know how they slice cheese from a huge roll? Well, the ends get too small to safely slice. They pack them into sealed packages and sell them for 99 cents a pound. We put a chunk of that into our cheese keeper, let it get warm and yum! Who doesn't love cheese? Especially longhorn colby----or sharp cheddar?
The lunch was good as always. Mike had the walking taco and I had a maidrite. We shared a piece of blackberry pie.
The mule show was very entertaining. For those who don't know, mules are the product of a mare ( horse ) and a stallion ( donkey ). It's my understanding that mules are sterile, but I'm not sure. They had children showing, adults showing, contests, wagons. My favorite was the raw egg in a spoon contest. It was very entertaining. I took lots of pictures. Perhaps, I 'll share some later.
We walked and walked and were just pooped. They had lots places to eat. So much to offer. There were 4 funnel cake wagons! They had 4 giant ice cream machines being run by one man and an electric generator. We shared a bowl of ice cream, a funnel cake and a hot beef sandwich with potatoes and gravy. They had all these smokers and grills running with all kinds of great things and that's what we chose. Everything was delicious!
By the time we got to Cantril, we were too full to actually shop for groceries, but we had already stocked up last week. I was wanting to check out their fabric department. I picked a couple that I want to use to wrap candy canes. I'll show them if they turn out like I want them to! And I got some fall pieces for a couple of cat/pumpkins add-ons to some stitchings. The selection wasn't as fabulous as I expected. Maybe next week, I can get to JoAnns.

Prim Americana bucket

Snowbunny, snowman, Americana doll, 2 souvenir bricks from Nauvoo's Mormon masonry

A vintage rolling pin

Carved wood welcome sign--probably machine done, but still cute

Cobalt crock and plastic candy canes for me to wrap

Sprigs of Americana berries

My favorite item- a mouse in a candle mold with pip berries and a piece of Swiss cheese--Are you ready? $1! For now, it is staying as it is. I just love it!

This lamp-functioning electric-was $2. I am changing out the bulb, but, otherwise, it is awesome!

2 old sewing machine drawers made into a small cabinet--$5. Already prim-Americana perfect for me!

4 old, rusty bed springs for a quarter. I have never made a make-do using these but I just might have to--or find someone who can. The Sterzings tin is something we collect. It is a potato chip that is made in Burlington and distributed in a 100 mile radius. They are my favorite chips. We use the tins for storing things. One will hold 8 tubes of crackers, 2 bags of cookies, 5# of flour, lots of flower heads, just about anything.

Mike picked up this PCH van. Heavy-duty bank or something the grands can play with. We have a good size collection of banks, some really old-some not so much.

The weather is a lot more tolerable these days. We have actually had several drizzles in September and temperatures in the 60's and 70's. Ah, it is glorious for me.
The ground is still very dry. So much to do to get ready for winter.....
Today, I am catching up on my housework and laundry and some projects I have been working on. I want to thank the gals that like my stitching well enough to ask for some for their own homes. I love stitching ( and I love swapping ). It relaxes me and gives me something to keep my mind and heart busy. It surely is a much better feeling than self-pity.
SUNDAY~beef chuck roast in the crock pot, steamed cauliflower and broccoli, brownies
MONDAY~meatballs in marinara subs, using whole wheat biali
TUESDAY~hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy, lime jello
WEDNESDAY~oven-fried pork steak, green beans, twice baked potatoes
THURSDAY~roast beef salad on whole wheat biali
FRIDAY~dinner out
SATURDAY~grilled chicken with red pepper, onion and fried corn tacos
add sliced black olives, diced tomatoes and sour cream or guacamole
Hope you are all inspired to try something different this week. Change things up. I'm hoping I get taken to Red Lobster for Endless Shrimp! Then Joanns for fabric!
Gratitude:**I am so thankful this week for the fellowship I enjoy with pet lovers everywhere. They are an awesome group. There is just something wrong with people who don't like animals. It's curable! Find a great cat or a terrific dog, a ferret or a fish, a pony or a parrot, a hen or a hamster. There is an animal for everybody!**

GRATITUDE

2011-09-16T13:56:00.000-05:00

Mike and I are so appreciative of all the kind comments from our friends here on blogger. Thank you for being here when we really needed the comfort of friends.
Didn't our boy look beautiful in his hey day? He was a really, really a good dog and he was the reason we have all these other dachshunds. There will never be another Clifford. Though his real name was Parker's McClintock, we always called him Clifford. Our daughter and her husband gave this fine dog to us as a 4 month old puppy when they discovered they couldn't be home enough for a puppy. He brought us so much joy. Dachshunds are a comical dog and that Clifford would run in circles with a soccer ball until he absolutely passed out. He protected us, warmed our laps and hearts, and always, always loved us. Rest in Peace, little Buddy. We will miss you forever.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for all our thoughtful, kind and considerate, pet-loving friends.**

CLIFFORD 9-19-1996 R.I.P. 9-14-2011

2011-09-14T17:58:00.001-05:00

Weep not for me though I am gone,
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long,
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest,
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath,
Remember not the strife,
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
Author Constance Jenkins
Gratitude:**WE are so thankful for 15 wonderful years with our little buddy. He was happy to be in our world and to us, he was the world.**

MY NEEDLE IS ABOUT WORN OUT!!!

2011-09-13T15:15:00.000-05:00

I made this for everyone's friend-Lil Raggedy Angie-and her beau, Chuck. I hope she loves it.

Isn't this the truth?

I loved this one.

I made this broom cover for Nancy at Inside Nana's Head. I'm going to make one for my child-sized broom.

no stitching here. I just matted a print.

I love doing these things but I am running out of room to keep them. If anyone is interested in them, just let me know. I'd love to swap or trade. I would even send you what you are interested in for the cost of shipping. Or if you are interested in having me make something specific for you, I can do that. I can stitch and send the work to you for you to frame or turn into a pillow or tag or label. If I sound needy, well-that's not the case. I just want to have something to do.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, clean facilities to use. Not everybody can say that.**

★MENU PLAN★DAY TRIP TO KOLONA★

2011-09-12T01:10:00.000-05:00

It was a relaxing weekend. We shut our A/C off about a week ago and have had our windows open. It is wonderful at night and in the early morning.
On Saturday, we went to the Cheese Factory in Kolona. We love their cheese curds. Then we visited Stringtown Grocery. I wanted to get some supplies for winter. I bought some vegetable pasta, dehydrated bell peppers, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup mix, Chinese noodles, and tiny little dark chocolate M&Ms. We also picked up fresh brown eggs and some great fresh peppers. Above is a picture of what was in the parking lot. No matter how often I see these buggies, I am still in awe of these people.

These little girls were swinging and chattering away next door to the store.

And they do share the road.

I loved this hay wagon with steel wheels, with the square bales. They are a rarity in these parts.

Another picture I just love. It shows the corn in rows, just like Tim McGraw talks about watching.

I imagine there are lots of people that are not ready for their weekend to be over.
What a cranky looking kitty!
We did stop at 3 Goodwill stores, 2 Stuff ETC, and several garage sales on our trip Saturday. I bought an old Welch's jelly glass for 38 cents and a flat basket for Easter eggs for 88 cents. A real bum shopping day, but we had lunch at Panera and ice cream at Sonic on our way home. Gotta love that......
SUNDAY~ grilled pork chops, cottage cheese salad, baked sweet potato
MONDAY~ chicken quessadillas, pico & chips
TUESDAY~ pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad
WEDNESDAY~ beef and noodles, hot bread
THURSDAY~ ham & cheese omelets, toast w/ jalapeno jelly
FRIDAY~ grilled salmon, fiesta rice, green beans
SATURDAY~ dinner out
Saturday is Sts. Peter & Paul rummage sale. It is always a huge success and I usually find some great stuff. Wish me luck!
Gratitude:**I am thankful for our garden. We have new tomatoes coming on and are hoping they have time to ripen!**

HAPPY, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

2011-09-09T16:00:00.005-05:00

Did you all hear that big, giant sigh of relief yesterday about 2 PM? That was my family.

You all know the stress of having the house guests that seem to stay forever.
Well, my brother came, unexpected, just a few days shy of 5 months ago to stay with my parents. They are in their 80's and not in terrific health. Dad is the early stages of dementia and change of any kind is difficult for him. Brother was in a nursing home, recovering from cancer surgery and an auto-pedestrian accident that left him with a broken back. Now, before you go feeling too sorry for him, he had already gone through radiation therapy but refused to quit smoking, so his cancer had grown so large it impeded his breathing. That is just a sample of his stubbornness. He didn't like it at the nursing home and just got mad in the middle of the night and walked away. They called the police and they brought him back. So, he signed himself out against doctor's advice. The police then drove him 45 miles to my parents house and dropped him off--in the middle of the night. Can you believe it?
He has been there ever since.
We've always been skeptical of his ability to manage his own care. He has lived on his own and with his handicapped wife all his adult life but with lots of help. He doesn't read or write and now he can't speak. He has limited skills, to say the least. There are organizations that help these people make their way in the world. They call them 'homemakers' , though I can't say they keep a home like I do. They also have 'home health aides' or 'visiting nurses' that come by to monitor the medications and physical well-being of their charges. Mostly, there are people out there willing to take advantage of the lack of experience, knowledge and common sense of people like my brother.
Well, brother has convalesced as much as he is going to. He is bored and wanting out, so he is driving my parents, my sister and me crazy. Take me here. Take me there. Do this. Do that. I want this...... Just like a kid!
Well, Wednesday, Hubby and I took him--with Mother--to Quincy, which for us is about 105 miles--each way--and strange territory. We drove around, looking for 'for rent' signs. Some of you may remember that a couple weeks ago, we tried to get him back into the low-rent housing complex he had been in prior to his surgery. That failed and only served to aggravate his need for independence. Having only Disability for income, he cannot afford much. We must have checked 2 dozen places. We were all weary of the effort. We were ready to call it a day when we saw 'Days Inn Lodge'. They advertised weekly rentals, and monthly rentals! I went in and talked it over with management and they were ok with his challenges. He paid the first month and a deposit and we told them we would be back in 24 hours to unload his things!
Thursday, we loaded up Mom and Dad's car, Sister's truck and ours and moved him into his new digs. It is small but he is by himself and he is close to downtown. He already has his 'homemaker' scheduled to visit. She is familiar with Quincy, where we are not, and she will assist him in finding an affordable apartment to live in. He seemed happy when we left him. Mom and Dad are finally going to have their home back to themselves. I don't care who you are. At 55, you just can't move in with your parents! Not happily! Now, he can visit his wife at the nursing home, go shopping for his own groceries, eat what he likes, do whatever he wants. We are all stretching and sighing and enjoying the feeling of great relief.
Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers. They have meant the world to me and my family. We are wise enough and been through enough to know this isn't the happy ending that everyone searches for, but it is the best under the circumstances. If he is content, we can be happy.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for clear skies and cool breezes, open windows and fall's beauty.**

WINNER, WINNER, Y'ALL COME TO DINNER!

2011-09-05T14:42:00.000-05:00

First of all, a big, big thank you to all who entered. I love my friends! You are the best of the bunch and I wish I could afford the postage to send each one of you a package. I am keeping this list of the faithful and I will be working through it to send a surprise to you each. It may take a while but I have plenty of ideas and lots of supplies! I used random generator and I tell you what~I about wore that little stinker out! It gives me great pleasure to present these winners~remembering you are all winners in my book! In alphabetical order, by first name:
1. Angie Berry of Berry Homespun Primitives
2. Annie Austin of Scrappalachia
3. Betty Crowe of Through My Backdoor
4. Carmen Erb of Primcats House
5. Cindy Davis of Cynthia Lee Designs
6. Lisa Reiman of The Moonlit Stitch
7. Mary Reinard of Marmies, Mammys and More
8. Melissa Hodnett of Libbie's Home
9. Stacy Brais of Stacy Kay Creations
10. Susan Pacquin of Oodle Kadoodle Primitives
Congratulations on having been chosen. All of these great bloggers are on my sidebar. I think I have been blessed by your friendships.
Hope your holiday weekend was all you hoped it would be. I will get these packages sent out as soon as possible.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for all your friendships. You are all the perfect additions to my already perfect family!**

★GIVEAWAY GIFTS★A SURPRISE★MENU PLAN★

2011-09-04T16:01:00.000-05:00

Last week, I won a wonderful giveaway. I got my beautiful new header immediately and I look forward to using it every fall for years to come. Friday, I got a package, which was a surprise and a delight for me. I got this gorgeous hand-pieced table square, wrapped in this adorable 'Old Crow' wrapping paper. I love her tag on the under corner. I also got a bar of very cute, awesome smelling, cinnamon dusted, goat's milk soap! As I told Janet--the Olde Crow herself--I won't be using it for some time. It's too darned pretty! She also sent some Apple Pie tart melts which I will be using because fall is the perfect time to melt these babies! A great big thank you to Janet from The Olde Crow Primitives!!! I am very happy with these autumn treats!

Yesterday, Mike brought in the mail and told me with a big ole grin, there's a package here with your name on it. I knew I hadn't ordered anything-yet. What could this be? It was in an envelope and was lightweight. Then I saw the return address! It came from Trace` over at Granny Trace` Scraps and Squares! She had the cutest little Christmas note in it with lots of HO HO HOs. (Somebody out there has tagged me with a nickname I won't mention.) She said she was doing an ornament swap and decided to make extras and she sent a couple to me! Aren't they adorable? I already have placed in my great room and plan to get out my other fall things soon. Inspirational gift! Thanks so much, Trace`. I don't have any wool pumpkins and I have never tried working with wool. Well, in high school, I made a black wool dress in Home Ec. Every girl needs a good black dress. I wonder what ever happened to that dress......... Anyway, I am thrilled to have these 2. They are precious to me! She also sent an apple pin keep! I just recently started to collect pin keeps. I have made them before but never kept one. I know....weird. This one is sitting on my sewing table, as all the rest are. I have to move them all when I want to sew, So, I'm thinking they need a home of their own! Thank you so much, Trace`. I really needed that pick-me-up! You're a doll and I am super glad we have become friends!

Well, this week was a big change from the week before. We got the bad news about my brother's application for low-income housing, but we are all looking into other resources. Something good is bound to happen sometime. I am no longer dwelling on this situation. I have put it in God's hands. That doesn't mean we stop trying. It means He will direct us to the right place at the right time.
Mike and I stayed home all week until Thursday, which was grocery day. We ended up going to Fairfield so he could take me to the Goodwill. My man knows how to make me feel better. I didn't find a lot but it was good to get out. We have stayed at home since then, as well. Tuesday is our City Council meeting and I have to present the Annual Street Finance report in addition to all the other things. At least, I was able to complete it in my time at home. It seems that the person who used my debit card numbers did more damage than I expected so we have really had to watch our cash until the bank gets it straightened out. We won't have to pay for anything they did but we can't access our account until things are all caught up--after the holiday, they will be able to get it straight. We don't mind. It has been very relaxing to stay home and read and just be together. Today, I painted some baskets and spoons and other odds and ends I had collected.
We finally got rain yesterday. 1.1" and it was delightful. It is almost 4 PM and it is just now 70'. Clear blue skies, light breeze, beautiful sun----just a great day. If only it weren't for the flies.....
Be sure you check out the birthday calendar on my right sidebar. If anyone knows a better way to do this, I would appreciate that information. Thanks!
SUNDAY~ meatloaf, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, pretzel bread
MONDAY~ smoked turkey breast, creamed peas and potatoes, sliced tomatoes
TUESDAY~ pizza
WEDNESDAY~ pancakes and sausages
THURSDAY~ oven-fried pork steak, twice-baked potatoes, sliced tomatoes
FRIDAY~ poblano and Asiago cheese omelets, flour tortillas
SATURDAY~Chicken kebabs, saffron rice
Tomorrow we draw multiple winners for my autumn stitchings giveaway.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for all my blog buddies support and prayers, for hanging with me even when all I do is whine. You guys are the best--really--the best!**

THIS COULD BE INTERESTING

2011-08-31T17:42:00.000-05:00

I have had a most interesting week.Things are not great, but not bad. As I mentioned before, my immediate family is fine. They've all gone through the flu bug and this sinus thing, but they are all happy and otherwise healthy. Mike is back to his old self and for that I am eternally grateful for all the well-wishes. Thank you!
I still have a touch of the blahs but I am convinced it is the sinus thing.
So, while I have been sitting idle this week, I have been stitching. Nancy, over at Inside Nana's Head, asked me to make some cloth labels for her to turn into pillow tucks and I remembered how much I enjoy stitching. Sadly, the postal system has 'delayed' the delivery of my labors and Nancy has yet to receive them.
I coffee/cinnamon stained some flour sack towels, added hangers and hand-stitched patches on them.
I mentioned having purchased a box of good frames and stands. The stands are silver and I need to paint them black. Above are a few of the stitchings I have done so far. And, I had a stack of dish towels that cried out for decoration.
And, I still have that stack of 5x7 framed stitchings.
So, I'm thinking two things.
1. I have way too much time on my hands and, therefore, more goodies than I will ever have need of.
2. I need to have a giveaway!!
Easy and simple, no muss-no fuss.
One requirement: I must already have your address. So, those who have participated in putting together my 'blog directory', all qualify. All you have to do is comment on this post. Can never hurt to mention which of my hand-dids appeals to you. It may sway my decision what to send. The pictures of the 5x7's are just back a few posts.
I'm not sure how many packages I will send out. I guess it depends on how many enter the giveaway. I'd love to be able to give away all these items!
Do not advertise this giveaway.
Let's draw names next Monday. We'll call it-'The Fruits of our Labors' Day.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for the rain shower we got yesterday. We got 1/2" of beautiful rain. The rain barrel is full. I could almost hear the garden sighing in relief. Thank you, Lord, for giving this reprieve.**

★MENU PLAN★

2011-08-28T19:49:00.000-05:00

Every year, we find mutants among our veggies. Last year, I found the carrot that looked like a pair of pants. We had our share of mutants, but nothing post-worthy.
This one is not ours, but I thought he was too cute to pass up.

Does anyone out there make these? I sure do like this little chick and would love to have several. Anyone know where I can find them? How much they are? Any ideas?

The weather was better this past week but still no rain. We went up to see Sara and the kids on Tuesday. Sara and Mya had a sinus thing going on and now, Mike has it. He is miserable when he is sick. Is it my imagination that men are big babies when they are sick? As a woman/mother/wife, I learned long, long ago to suck it up and carry on. Nobody caters to me when I am down with the flu. I know that nobody would clean that bathroom floor if I happened to miss the toilet bowl with -- well, with anything. I know we clean around that bowl all the time for our guys. That's not our pubic hair under the rim or dribble down the front of the bowl.
I seem to be a bit bit**y these last few days. I think Thursday took the fight out of me. I cried twice that day and I rarely ever cry! I just feel defeated. But, again, life goes on and I just suck it up and go on, too. But, on a positive note, I had a great heart-to-heart with my sister that day and that was pretty awesome.
I put up 4 pints of zesty bread and butter slices yesterday. Thanks, Sis, for the cucumbers.
We still have tomatoes in the garden and they are still blooming. Mike picked a bucket full today. Hopefully, they keep producing until a frost kills them. I see where a lot of people have already taken their plants out, so we are lucky.
I bought a box of 11x14 picture frames with frame stands--all new--at a yard sale and I am working on stitchings for them. I think they are document frames.
This week, I have to do utility bills, pay City bills and the Annual Street Finance Report. Maybe, if I'm on a roll, I'll do the USDA Annual Sewer Report. These will be the last time I have to do these reports. YAY! I'll still have to do the Annual Fiscal Report for the City, but it's the last one of those, too. Super YAY!
SUNDAY: Mike requires Campbell's chicken noodle soup when he is sick. I'm eating some leftovers.
MONDAY: Hope he's feeling better because I am making ham salad, deviled eggs and potato salad--just have a craving.
TUESDAY: fried cabbage with peppers and onions with kielbasa
WEDNESDAY: tuna cheesies, onion rings ( that's a grilled cheese with tuna & mayo-cheese on both sides. )
THURSDAY: chicken quesadillas, pico de gaillo and homemade flour chips
FRIDAY: shrimp lo mien and egg rolls
SATURDAY: beef and noodles, hot rolls and butter

Gratitude:**I am so thankful to live away from the coast. The news reports show some scary weather happening with Irene. Those people are definitely in my prayers!**

ONE GOOD DAY AT GARAGE SALES!

2011-08-26T19:12:00.000-05:00

First, I just want to show off part of my collection of yellow ware. These are some of my favorite pieces. There is a smaller bowl-same pattern and colors-inside of the pink striped one on the left. There are 2 smaller bowls inside the upper one on the right. I am still looking for others to complete these sets. I just love searching and especially love completing the sets.

Today we went to garage sales. With Midwest Old Threshers Reunion starting next week, the sales are popping up all over. Like Memorial Day is the beginning of the summer season, Labor Day is the beginning of autumn. MOT brings in about 200,000 people to Mt Pleasant, a city that usually has a population of 7500. It is 7500 because of the college population, being home to Iowa Wesleyan College. Normally a quiet little town, Mt Pleasant turns into a mega-center. Everybody has a garage sale to try to unload their goodes onto the visitors. We usually go to just a few the week before the actual reunion starts. We definitely avoid going into town during the reunion. We think that if you've been there once or twice, that's enough. Many people come back every year for a lifetime. (There are always good country performers each of the 5 nights and they are included with the price of admission. We have gone to see Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Travis Tritt--just to name a few.) My goodness! That's a lot of strangers in our small town--campers as far as the eye can see, all 4 motels filled, people renting out private bedrooms to returning visitors, no way you're getting into any restaurant and this year, there is road construction going on right in the center of town!
Not a lot of BARGAINS to be found today but I did pick up a few things. This is the only picture I took. A bag of plastic eggs for 25 cents that I can cover with fabric, 4 dinner napkins for a dime that I can cut into strips for the eggs, and a very charming yellow ware bowl that Mike found for me for 25 cents! Now that is the best 60 cent garage sale day EVER!
Gratitude:**I am so thankful to have the opportunity to try to help my family. I pray that I can prove myself to be worthy of this opportunity.**

★MY BETTER HOME★AND GARDEN★AND MENU PLAN★

2011-08-21T18:12:00.000-05:00

One of my additions to the garden this year is the 'birdhouse gourd'. I was skeptical that I could actually grow these but give a look!

There are bunches of them! Large and small, but I'm sure the small ones will grow, too. Some are hanging on the rusty, old gate.

Some are on the ground. The blooms look wilty in the day time but at night, they are crisp and bright. I just wish it would rain.

This pot is overflowing with a beautiful caladium. I planted a packet of 8 bulbs that were about as big as my thumbnail. It took them forever to sprout. I was ready to dump the pot in the garden when they started to grow and boy have they grown!
I just love them. I am going to try to winter them over in the garage; see if they'll grow again next year.

I had never seen black petunias before so I had to try them. You can just barely see the tiny, yellow,double millionbelles I planted with them in this watering can.

For some reason, I always plant a fuschia wave in this watering can.
Things are pretty burned up around here. Extreme temperatures and little to no rain.....it hasn't been this bad for several years. I'm not usually one to complain about such issues, but our electric bill was almost $300 this month! Last month, we hit a new high at $183---now $266. I, for one, will be glad when we can turn off the A/C!!!

I'm still stitching when I can. Did some heavy cleaning this past week. Just felt some things needed it. It was the most dust I have ever seen indoors! Mike washed windows on the outside and I did the insides. He also finished up the siding. We trimmed the maple trees.
I won a new header in a giveaway. Janet from Olde Crow Primitives made the above header for me. I love it!
SUNDAY>>> Mike made chili on the grill, very tasty!
MONDAY>>> Deep-fried chicken wings, home-made onion rings, blueberry cheesecake
TUESDAY>>> pop-eyes
WEDNESDAY>>> chicken and cheese-stuffed zucchini, sliced tomatoes
THURSDAY>>> rope sausage and red potatoes, fried with green peppers and onions
FRIDAY>>> salmon filets with olive oil, kosher salt, dill weed--green salad and fiesta rice
SATURDAY>>>cold pasta salad with grilled chicken
I keep hoping things calm down here. We have an appeal hearing on Thursday. We are trying to reverse the Housing Authority's decision to deny my brother an apartment. My sister and my niece are joining my effort to do this. It may be that he isn't able to take care of himself but we think he deserves a chance to try. He certainly wants to try. Losing one's independence is terrible thing to have happen. Please join me in prayer for this situation.
We were fortunate to find a very skilled and motivated attorney to take over the insurance company/hospital bills, etc. I know these things take time so we must be patient. We are hoping to have any money awarded to him put into a trust or an annuity that can pay him a monthly stipend. We are NOT looking for much because he is already on disability and we don't want him to lose his monthly income. I think this is something we can all understand, even if he doesn't.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for my entire family--my flesh and blood, my friends, all my blogging friends and my sweet little dogs.**

DELAYED POST

2011-08-16T10:49:00.002-05:00

My friend, Michelle,and I have been swapping things back and forth for a long time. I think we shop with each other in mind. LOL Look at this package I got from her yesterday! She knows I collect Gooseberry Patch and whisk brooms. How perfect is this package for me!? She also included some Halloween labels, an absolutely precious little hand-stitched pillow and 15 stencils. Michelle, I love everything in this package. You outdid yourself--again!

Things have been a little off schedule around here. I don't do well with such changes. I get frustrated and then more things get off schedule. Oh, well, we are doing our best to rectify the problem. I didn't leave home all weekend. Our bank card has been compromised. Strangers have tried to use our identity to purchase meals at a bistro in Montana. It raised a red flag and the bank cancelled the transaction and our card. Now we wait 10 days to 2 weeks for a new card---back to writing checks. Last time, it was a credit card that was compromised. We cancelled all our credit cards but one and we RARELY use it. We try to pay cash for everything. Anyway, this has me kind of messed up.
Tomorrow, we have a conference with an attorney who has agreed to represent my brother for his pedestrian/auto accident. I have gathered all the bills and doctor's reports. I am just so ready to pass all this responsibility on to someone who knows all the ins and outs of the insurance/legal thing. No luck with the apartment search yet. Believe me, you'll hear the squeals of joy when we do!
SUNDAY: already gone, I know--we had round steak, mashed baby red potatoes, brown gravy, sliced tomatoes and broccoli.
MONDAY: already gone, as well--we had chicken and noodles alfredo and a green salad.
TUESDAY: BLTs, peach cobbler
WEDNESDAY: lunch at Little Mexico, cold sandwiches for supper
THURSDAY: oven-fried pork steaks, sliced tomatoes, twice-baked potatoes
FRIDAY: Parmesan-crusted tilapia, fiesta rice, fried zucchini, sliced tomatoes
SATURDAY: tenderloins, onion rings, fried green tomatoes
It's overcast again today but not a drop of rain. Mike washed the windows on the outside yesterday. He had worked all weekend cleaning the siding and made a mess of the windows, not that they were very clean to begin with. It is amazing now--everything is so clean and sharp looking. He also took down the section of fence from the lilacs north. Next spring, we will divide the hostas and put a long row of them where the fence was. The ostrich plume ferns have spread over around the central air unit and need to be moved. He put new mulch--pine bark chips--around the new lilacs, picked more tomatoes. I took 2 buckets full to my sister and still have 2 buckets full in the kitchen, plus 2 flats of them on the table. We can only eat so many.
I've been working on the blog directory, adding more information to each listing and still adding new participants. If any of you have information you would like listed or know bloggers that should be added, please contact me.
Loyal is still bouncing back but it is so good to see her sitting with Mike, going up and down stairs by herself and eating very well.
I'm hoping that everyone has a wonderful rest of the week and, if any of you out there has any extra rain, we sure could use it.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for the beginning of the school year. It's a chronological change that can't be denied. Fall is coming! I feel a 'daycation' coming on and it has been a long time coming!**

DETERMINATION----OR OCD?

2011-08-13T00:32:00.002-05:00

I finished up my stack of 5 x 7 frames today. I got so many nice comments on the autumn ones that I made this Happy Fall one.

I made an adaptation of this Bless Ewe. Put a little sweet Annie in it so the little sheep wouldn't get hungry.

I know this isn't thyme but it works for me. I just love this fabric. Thanks, Angie!

A little Christmas fabric and a Christmas mantra. We all need to Believe in the Spirit of Christmas.

Another piece of fabric I got from Angie with a sweet sentiment.....

This one speaks for itself.

This one isn't a 5 x 7. I loved doing this one. It's always good to have some Americana out.

Gratitude:**I am thankful that my little dog, Loyal, is feeling much better. It has been a long time coming and I am truly thankful that she is getting back to her old self. It will take quite a while for her to gain back all the weight she has lost. Thank you, Lord, for bringing our baby back to us.**

MY PROJECT OF THE DAY

2011-08-10T00:14:00.000-05:00

Earlier this summer, I painted and distressed a stack of picture frames.
Click to enlarge.

I gathered some fabric, some muslin and embroidery floss.

I drew some words on the muslin. Should iron this one...

I embroidered on my pattern. Should iron this one...

I attached the wording to the fabric pieces. These are all 5X7's.

I attached my creations to the backings in the frames. Would look good on a shelf.

I added some sweet Annie to some of them.

I embroidered these last ones on muslin and framed straight onto the backing.

I actually made 10 but sent one out today-like the one above- and for the life of me, I can't remember who I sent it to. Those of you that have ever received a package from me, you know I am a terrible packer and an even worse wrapper. I never remember what I send to any one person. It's always news to me when I see them post what they have received. lol Mike says I can hide my own Easter eggs!
Gratitude:**I am thankful for this more bearable weather we are experiencing. It is midnight and it is 64' ! I know it won't last for long. There are many hot days ahead, but we really needed this break. I am thankful for the break.**

★MY WEEK IN REVIEW★MENU PLAN★

2011-08-07T23:05:00.000-05:00

Last night, we had our first rain in over a month. Sadly, it was just a brief shower, but it was accompanied by some very strong winds. When Mike went out this morning, he found this rather unpleasant surprise. The wind broke a branch from our ornamental pear tree. It fell right across the hood of my Explorer. Luckily, it fell all the way across the drive into the garden and onto a tomato cage. That prevented the branch from actually landing onto my Explorer. Just a few scratches.... No dents. Mike borrowed a chain saw from a neighbor and cut off the leafy branches. I had him cut a chunk of the main part to make a base for a new birdbath---next spring. He cut the rest into pieces perfect for our fire pit. How it managed to fall without crushing one of our vehicles must have been an act of God!

I took this picture today before Mike picked tomatoes. Now we have at least twice this many---and I made him take some to our neighbors, like 2 buckets full. I see more canning in my future.

Yesterday, I got a couple packages. Cyndy sent me this scarecrow bowl filler. I put him in this pottery bowl with some cloves and berries. Thanks, Cyndy! He is adorable.

Traci was kind and generous enough to send a gift to everybody who commented on a particular post. She sent me this sheep with an Americana saddle blanket. I added it to my dry sink where I display my sheep collection.

She also sent this darling, wonderful smelling pumpkin. Thank you, Traci!

On a recent visit to Goodwill ( so long ago, I don't remember exactly when ), I found this wonderful woven blanket. It doesn't have a label on it anywhere but it looks and feels like wool to me. Do you suppose it could be the real thing? I am pickled tink with it! When I get my blanket crane, I am using this for display.

Now, a couple pictures that exemplify the meaning of dog days.......
Little Man Tate ( our blind dog )--really relaxing....

Here--from front to back--Ginger, Reba, Gillian and Libby--the girls sack out in front of the fan.

I bought this yellow ware bowl this week on eBay. It's not old, but it is unlike any I have. It is an 'Over and Under' bowl with a sailboat logo. It was inexpensive and perfect.

This week, when Mike went into the used record store, I went into the shop next door. They had completely changed things around, more antiques and fewer craft things. I got these 2 yellow ware bowls--both are Monmouth pottery. The smaller one is a cross collectible with the advertising.

I put them on top of the Hoosier. I put the plain yellow inside this Roseville bowl, upside down. Then I put the other one on top of it. My very favorite yellow ware bowl is the tiny one with all the blue rings. I am always on the lookout for the other sizes of this one.

Well, this Thursday, I am taking my brother to Quincy to the podiatrist to get his toenails trimmed and to the doctor to have his brace checked and adjusted. After that, we'll look again for an apartment for him. As far as I know, the rest of the week is just our normal activity.
SUNDAY: chicken breast stuffed with wild rice dressing, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, cucumber salad
MONDAY: beer brats, kohlrabi slaw, sliced tomatoes, chips
TUESDAY: biscuits and sausage gravy, sliced tomatoes
WEDNESDAY: pico de gaillo and chips, beef enchiladas
THURSDAY: tuna Subway sandwiches, chips
FRIDAY: grilled salmon, stir-fried veggies ( zucchini, corn, onion, pepper )
SATURDAY: Lipton soup burgers, onion rings, coconut pudding
Gratitude:**I am thankful for my good fortune this week. I have had my Explorer since 1999. It's the first new vehicle I ever had and it has never had a dent in it. It only has a couple scratches now. 143,000 miles on it and still runs like a new one. Yes, I am truly grateful for my good luck with this vehicle. Now if I could just get the garage cleaned out so I could park my vehicle inside!**

★A SWAP★AND A GIVEAWAY★

2011-08-02T12:54:00.000-05:00

I recently asked Jean if she would swap me a bolt of burlap for one of her 'mice in candy corn' creations. Heavens, she must have sent it out that day! It got here so fast. Once again, I was not prepared but, after my week , I think she understands. The package is going out today. Look at this darling little thing! It's not actually little. It is a fair size creation and I love it. Their little hineys come through the back side. Their eyes are just like the real thing; their little tails are thin wire. I love them! Jean also sent me a prairie doll. She says they don't do so well in her area. Well, they are very rare here and I am happy to give 'Laura' a home! Thank you so much, Jean.

I won the third place prize over at Cathy's blog--Tolen Treasures. It was supposed to be the tole-painting on a wooden box end. Look at all the goodies she packed into this box! She wrapped the painting in the red ticking! She says she has been reading my daughter's blog for several years. She included some of her handmade hair bows for Mya and Ruby! She included a fancy prim jar of buttons, some waxed clothespins, a tole-painted Christmas ornament, and a really nice penny mat. She included some swatches of fabrics that are suitable for recovering furniture or making drapes. She asked me what I would do with them and would I like more. Well, the answer to the second question is yes. I'm always making something. And the first thing that came to mind is covering paper mache boxes--then basket liners--then backing for candle mats--then matting for stitchings....... I think you see where this is going. You can do a lot of things with swatches of fabric!

This is a close-up of that darling jar of buttons and the penny mat.
I love everything, Cathy! Thanks so much for drawing my name!!!
Gratitude:**I am thankful for the good run I've had with giveaways. I have won a lot of them and I know I have been blessed. So, I am taking a break from entering giveaways. I am going to give someone else the chance to win and feel as awesome as I do about the friends I have made here on the blog. Good luck to everyone. I am blessed by your friendship.**

★THE WEEK IN REVIEW★MENU PLAN★

2011-07-31T21:39:00.000-05:00

I spent a lot of time behind the wheel of my car. I took my brother to different appointments on Thursday and Friday. We applied for apartments, got a brace made for his leg and had his 6 month check-up with the cancer doctor. It was also a great gathering of all my siblings. We shared a wonderful lunch at Cracker Barrel. I had never been, so it was a very good experience. I don't remember the four of us ever getting together before. I mean, as adults. It was a good experience.
As usual, I took my camera. Unfortunately, I didn't take it into the restaurant.
The above close-up picture was taken on the roadside, near our home. Tickseed and pincushion grow in all the ditches and fields in the Midwest.

This picture shows the same flowers from a distance.

Further down the road, I saw these horses. Standing out in the hot sun, swishing the flies from each others faces. They are amazing, soulful creatures.

I did find time one day o put these pin keeps together. Later, on Saturday, I found some cute things to dress them up. Hopefully, I will get them put together and maybe, mailed out. I have some swaps I need to finish and get mailed.
I made homemade yellow tomato soup today and canned 4 pints. It was a test and very successful. I also attempted jalapeno jelly. It tastes awesome but didn't set so I will definitely be trying again. We will be using this experiment on cheddar jalapeno waffles.

I also found this cute little wall sheep for a buck.

That was me today. I am just so weary of being busy. I'd like to sit and watch a movie or read a whole book or look through my newest Country Sampler! But there are always dishes to wash, laundry to do, some mess that needs cleaned up, some activity that needs to be attended, a dog that's sick, a book that needs to be returned, shopping that needs to be done......*sigh* I almost wish I had a job so I would get a real break!
SUNDAY: rope sausage, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, coconut pudding
MONDAY: chicken salad on a croissant, pico de gaillo with flour chips
TUESDAY: chicken-fried round steak, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, sliced tomatoes
WEDNESDAY: BLTs, cantaloupe & strawberries
THURSDAY: red beans and rice with kielbasa, lime jello
FRIDAY: tuna salad on croissants, more pico & chips
SATURDAY: dinner out
Gratitude:**I am thankful for my siblings. It was very nice to all be together. May we all be blessed with long lives, good fortune and many grandchildren.**

★MENU PLAN★GOOD STUFF★

2011-07-25T13:41:00.000-05:00

Is this wrapping paper adorable or what? I got a package on Saturday from my good pal and chat buddy-Angie. She and I send things back and forth purty regalar. Everything sent sent this time was wrapped in this darlin' paper. Now, I'm not a good wrapper and I'm terrible at packing stuff. I do well on addressing, thank goodness, or things would never reach their destination. Love the paper, Angie! Let's look at what came this time.

A stack of fabric which I am using to make some baby shoe pin keeps. thank you very much! And a raggedy crow that I have had my eye on. Isn't he a honey?

I have him hung on my candle board. He loves it over here by Grandpa Red's buck.

And she sent a sweet little basket with a nifty painted lid. I can keep some things stored in this, like needle and floss! And the bestest part of this package--my new dolly. I love her to bits! She has joined fine company on the deacon's bench. I love everything, Angie. You made me smile!!!!

We did go to the Salvation Army Store this past Saturday and I practiced restraint. I found some baby shoes--to be shown later and these teeny, tiny cookie cutters. They must be for animal crackers. They are so small. I had never seen any so small. Anyway, I paid $3 for them in a bag with several unremarkable cutters.

Then, Hubby found this sponge-painted, yellow ware bowl.

It is from Monmouth Pottery.

Absolutely perfect and only $12! I think I did well.
I won third place in Cathy's giveaway over at Tolen Treasures. She was surprised to find out I am Sara's mother. I guess she has been following Sara for some time. It will be a surprise gift so I will be sure to share.
We had Tristen and Chloe overnight. They are always fun. No ice cream for breakfast this time. We all went to Ryan's and indulged ourselves with lots of bacon and pancakes. It was a good time. I taught both girls how to play mancala and they got to be pretty good. Stopped by a guy in a pick up and bought fresh sweet corn for $3 a dozen. All in all, it would have been a great day, except I dropped a pan with our stuffed peppers in it back into the oven and made a horrible mess. Dinner was ruined but Mike was really good about it and helped with the outside clean up. I am still waiting for the inside to dry so I can scrape it up and run the oven cleaner. That will probably stink to high heaven. Hands just aren't what they used to be, I guess. So that was Sunday dinner. Replaced it with some microwaveable stuff.
MONDAY: BLTs
TUESDAY: buttermilk pork patties, fried zucchini, green salad
WEDNESDAY: Zucchini casserole ( using a quesadilla recipe and substituting sliced zucchini for tortillas )
THURSDAY and FRIDAY: I am gone so Mike is on his own,
SATURDAY: NY strips, twice-baked potatoes, Caesar salad
Gratitude:** Silly as it may be and despite all the wonderful blessings in my life, today, I am thankful the mess wasn't any worse than it was. Now I'm praying the oven still works when I get it cleaned!**

YOU CAN'T KEEP A GREAT GAL DOWN!!!!

2011-07-21T11:24:00.001-05:00

Blogger or should I say 'Booger' was giving everyone fits these past months.
Our gal pal, Donna, had her fill of it and put her blog with over 400 followers to sleep. She has started over with a new blog. If you were a follower in the past or are a new reader with primitive/colonial interests, just click on this--DONNA!--and catch up while her new blog is young! She is crafting and anxious to hear from you!

I kept myself busy yesterday making these little baby shoe pin keeps. Boy, baby shoes are getting harder and harder to find! I pulled these ones from my collection. They are old, hard-soled walkers. Nobody uses shoes like these anymore. They all want Baby Nike or little Crocs or some other fancy stuff. These are what we are back in the 40's and 50's. Anyway, I posted some of my earlier ones with doilies and brooches. Two gals contacted me about doing swaps for these. I am keeping one for myself--the one with the dark star, one goes to my friend, Angie, and the other 2 will be swapped. It isn't very often that anyone asks me to do something for them like this, so I am really tickled. Thank you girls for asking! You made my day!
Gratitude:**I am thankful to have an old friend back. I am thankful that someone actually requested some of my makeovers. Life is good.**

TRAGEDY IN THE MOUNTAINS

2011-07-20T13:44:00.000-05:00

Our daughter, Sara, spent several years with her family in Colorado Springs. Most of you know this. This is where they lived when they adopted Mya. Their family became friends with other adoptive families, including their social worker and her family. The social worker's husband, being a fine pediatrician, approved Mya's medical paperwork. The doctor and his wife have also adopted 3 children, internationally. Since moving back to Iowa, Sara has kept in touch with many of her friends in COS. This morning, she got this tragic news; copied from a Huffington report:

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Four members of a Colorado Springs family died after their vehicle drove into a washed-out section of a mountain highway in Wyoming and was swept downstream by a raging creek as they fled torrential rains at a national forest campground.
A mother and her three young daughters were killed; only the husband and father managed to escape as the van was carried away.
Officials said debris in the creek blocked large culverts that run under the highway and the water then tore through the roadway, opening a 25-foot-wide, 9-foot-deep breach about 20 miles from Saratoga in the southern part of the state.
The van went into the creek sometime between 1:15 a.m. and 1:40 a.m. and was swept about 75 yards downstream and submerged up to its rooftop, patrol spokesman Stephen Townsend.
Minutes later, a local emergency management official who was responding to the accident hit the same washout and plunged into the creek.
"I consider myself very fortunate. I was wondering if I was going to see my family again, to be quite honest with you," John Zeiger, Carbon County emergency management coordinator, said in a telephone interview from his hospital bed.
At one point the water washed over his vehicle, but the water inside got no higher than his waist, Zeiger said, noting the car windows were up and didn't break. He was rescued after about two hours.
Other responders retrieved the bodies of the Laurel Constantinides, 29, and the couple's three daughter – Hanna, 8, Zoey, 5, and Lucia, 2. The cause of death was not immediately available, but officials said it appeared they drowned. All were wearing seat belts or in child seats.
The father and husband, 39-year-old Alex Constantinides, was taken to a hospital, the patrol said. He was released later Tuesday, according to a hospital nurse.

The family is from Colorado Springs, and the father is a physician.

Please join me in praying for this family. She was a wonderful friend to my daughter and her children were delightful, precious and innocent. Dr. Constantinides will be needing our prayers as he picks up the pieces of his life.
Gratitude:** I am thankful that I have a Higher Power to send my prayers to. In trying times like these, it is our job to accept His will, His plan. It is a time to grieve the loss of these precious lives, but also a time to accept that our lives must move on without these precious friends with us. Please, God. Give Dr. Constantinides the strength to go forward and do what he must do to. Please hear our prayers and let peace fall upon Dr. Constantinides as he goes through his daily life with out his life partner and their children. Please God. Hold these children close to your side and love them until such time as this family will be reunited with You.**

★GIVEAWAY WINS★SOME PRETTY SPECIAL FRIENDS

2011-07-18T22:46:00.000-05:00

Jacki over at Hearthside Happenings has a monthly giveaway and I was fortunate enough to win it this last month. It's a very nice stitching in a quality frame. Thank you, Jacki! It is perfect for me and I love it!

I recently tweaked the top of the dresser in my bedroom. This stitching looks perfect on my new coverlet runner. I replaced the red vase with this basket. I'm satisfied, for now......

My dear friend, Brenda over at the Rusty Thimble, surprised me with this little darlin'. I'm going to call her Ida May. In her lap, she is holding a unique sun hanger. It says 'You are my Sunshine'. She is a very heavy doll and like nothing I have ever had. Thank you so much, Brenda. What a delightful surprise! She is perfect for me and I love her!

This is where she sits, with some of my favorite dolls.

And I put the hanger on my year-round evergreen with some molds, birds, nests and wood candles

Have you seen these babies? Lecia got a new pattern to make some bonnets. She is selling these over on her blog--Farmhouse Prims. She shocked me with this gift. We had just discussed it at length and finally agreed to take a break from swapping. Then I sneaked in one more little gift--a ticking pin keep--just a personal momento. Then today, she shocked me with one of her awesome bonnets. I am a bonnet nut and this one looks fantastic hanging on a door. I love the paisley print it's made out of. Thank you, Lecia. This time, we really hold back, for sure.....
Gratitude:**I am thankful today that the air gets cooler when it gets dark. I am also thankful for A/C that makes the days more tolerable. And ICE--I am thankful for ice.**

CAN IT GET ANY HOTTER? ★MENU PLAN★

2011-07-17T21:32:00.000-05:00

The sun just hangs there, in the sky, menacing, warning us that it is closer than at any other time of year.

The ground, once saturated with fresh, cool rainwater, now begins to crack and heave, desperate for moisture.

The prospect of garden fresh vegetables diminishes with each passing day.

Seriously, folks, there are gardens that look like this. Fortunately, because of hard work and good planning, ours isn't one of them. We do have cracks in the ground and we sure could use a little rain. Gardens are funny things. When it's too cold, plants don't bloom. When it's too hot, blooms fall off. That's where we are now, blooms falling off. Mike swears someone is stealing our zucchini. We like them small and tender, about 6-8" long and straight. He says the plant puts on and he sees them tiny, knowing to watch them carefully so they don't get too big, but as of today, he has only harvested one---1! So.....someone is beating him to them--or something!? Tomatoes are coming 1-2 a day---good for eating but not so much for canning. It's all good. The weather has to change up soon. We can't have another failed garden season. It just won't happen.

I didn't leave the house except for Friday and you already know what happened on Friday. Thank you for all the kind comments.

We did weed some, fertilize all our plants, water our new shrubs, stuff like that...

I have been working on a cross stitch of a barn scene. It will probably be a gift. It is relaxing for me to stitch while I watch TV. Any kind of stitching really... Basically, I listen to TV, unless something awesome happens.

SUNDAY: beef & chicken kebabs with peppers, onions, zucchini and green beans

MONDAY: buttermilk pork patties and corn on the cob with sliced tomatoes

TUESDAY: RED LOBSTER

WEDNESDAY: cold cucumber soup, salmon cream cheese on rye crisps

THURSDAY: pasta with cilantro pesto, fresh veggies and grilled chicken breast

FRIDAY: popcorn shrimp, coleslaw, sliced tomatoes

SATURDAY: BLTs

Something from our garden everyday. It is great to live in Iowa!

Gratitude:**I am thankful for our 9 little dogs. This heat is very hard on them. They drink a lot of water, but don't eat so much. Early mornings are their favorite times. They still want to be outside but they just can't handle it for any length of time. We pamper them as much as we can. I am blessed by these loving creatures.**

TAMERA'S GIVEAWAY

2011-07-16T19:13:00.007-05:00

I got my giveaway package today from Tamera! I was so excited to see what I was going to get. It was a surprise and boy, was I surprised! This darling little child's dress with a cutter quilt pocket and patch. The pocket is filled with pip berries and a rusty star. I just love this little dress. She also included a packet of recipe cards tied up with a piece of piece of homespun. Very, very cute! But my favorite gift is this basket.

It's a rag-wrapped, butt basket! Isn't it adorable? Thank you so much, Tamera! You hit the nail on the head! I love everything, but this little basket is perfect for me!
Did you study up on your winners and find out what would be perfect for each one? You sure did a great job of matching gifts to bloggers! Everyone is so happy with your offerings. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

We went to Washington for lunch yesterday. We saw several signs for garage sales. We stopped at one and found this. I have wanted a harvest table for a long time, but I really gave up hope this past spring. I had Mike take my collection of kitchen chairs to Goodwill. *sigh* Then I found this! I knew it was going to work for me. I just knew it. I know it would be better if the trim were black but, for me, it is perfect. She had $100 on it--table and 4 chairs. I talked her into taking $80. Score! I rubbed it down with Goo Gone, then soap and water, followed by Pledge. It looks great in the dining area of our great room. Mike was worried it would be too big. That's why he said we wouldn't be able to have one. Well, sure! The one I wanted is about 8' long and seats 12. This one is actually narrower than our drop leaf maple table and maybe 18" longer. It's solid as can be. Now I get to shop for new chair pads. Our other table is in the garage. I need to find a new home for it, but I'm keeping the chairs.

I changed out the centerpiece for these geraniums. Makes me happy!

I recently purchase these squares of woven coverlet fabric. Do you like it square with the radio?

Or at an angle? Or go back to the crocheted doily I had before?

Then on our way home, we found a yard sale that was just opening up--3:00 PM. Between the 2 of us, we picked up all this stuff. Click on the pic to enlarge and get a good look. I love old jars and sewing stuff and enamelware and black memorabilia and all old kitchen stuff. This lady was selling all her collections so she could move out west to help her son raise his kids. Everything was so cheap. It was unbelievable.

We got everything in both pictures for $72. I felt like a thief. The little black doll was a dime and she said it was from the 1940's! The sock prairie doll was a quarter. This wood bucket was $2. It didn't have a lid but I had this lazy susan and it fit just perfect. 25 cents for a masher, $2 for a butter paddle, my first noodle cutter for $2, 75 cents for '4' lap-sized, patchwork quilts. It was an amazing sale. I spent my entire allowance, so no auction today, but I didn't mind.

Here is where I put the new bucket/firkin. Over 4th of July, I painted this stack of 12 wood bowls---all red, white and blue.

Here is where I am displaying my newest cookie jar and S & P and a teeny, tiny Butternut coffee can. She had a ton of coffee memorabilia.
Gratitude:**I am thankful for my husband, the grill master. He was so anxious to grill for supper and he is oh, so good at it. We had green chili cheeseburgers and roasted corn. So delicious and so few dishes. Yes, indeed. I am thankful!**

MY SWAP FROM MICHELLE

2011-07-14T22:03:00.000-05:00

I got the most delightful surprise in the mail today! I knew we were doing this but I usually get my box out first! That little stinker beat me....... I didn't take a picture. She knows I don't care about the box. I torn that box open. I had to see my new pennies! Look at all my loot!

2 gorgeous autumn penny runners, 2 candle mats, some awesome salt dough leaves and pumpkins and a perfect framed cross stitch~~~I love everything!

Won't this be perfect with an orange wood bowl full of fixin's?

And these will be perfect with some candles. Michelle included a great candle in the box.

I think this one is the most beautiful of all. I don't think I will put anything on it. I like it just the way it is.
Thank you, Michelle. I love everything you sent. You know me so well.
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for my friend, Michelle. She and I have developed a wonderful friendship. I feel so blessed to have discovered my entire circle of on-line friends and you know who you are.**

A WIN, SOME REPEAT MAKEOVERS AND MY GOOD BUDDY OLM

2011-07-11T20:25:00.015-05:00

I was very lucky in June. I won a giveaway over at Inside Nana's Head. I received it today. I knew I was getting the potato bag. I was really looking forward to that, but Nancy also included a prim candle, some awesome tags and a pin keep. I love it all. Thank you, Nancy! It is all perfect for me!

This is the ditty bag I made last week. I have been spraying it with some walnut stain. Every time it gets dry, I spritz it some more. It's beginning to look more prim.

A long time back, I made these pin keeps from old baby shoes. They weren't antique shoes, just well used ones.

I really loved this one with the big topaz brooch. I wondered if there was any interest in these. I could use my ticking for the pin cushion, maybe rusty bells and safety pins, homespun around the top.?.

Another thing I've shared before......My youngest is 34. Before she was born, I made this quilt for her. Now, remember, this was 1976. You couldn't find out the sex of your baby until it was in the doctor's hands. I was determined to have a baby girl and I confidently made this patchwork for my baby. I had seen it in a magazine. I made my own pattern and started on it. You have to remember. It was 1976. Look at the fabrics I used. All Southern Belles; each with an embroidered name; some with lace..... Sara used this quilt growing up and used it hard. I have repaired it more often than you can imagine. After the boys came along and wore out the blankets I made for them, she dug this one out and had it professionally cleaned. She is keeping it on a hanger in a safe place. She also put the boys tattered, raggedy baby quilts away. Probably to torment them when they are older. Mya never cared for the one I made, but she brought one with her from China. She uses it every day and I know Sara will put it away when the time is right.
OLM is having a giveaway for her 187 followers. She welcomes new followers but this giveaway is for the 187 she had the day she posted. Part of my entry is to explain what makes my heart skip a beat, what pulls the strings on my heart, what makes me feel so alive: Well, I could say a lot of corny things, or be flip and say something to make the readers smile, but I want to be honest. My heart goes pitter-patter for my husband. He is the very best thing in my life. He is the best friend I have ever had. He has made all my dreams come true. He takes care of me. He knows me. He knows what I am thinking, how I'm feeling, what I need. I've never known anyone like him in my life before. I can trust him with my life. I hope that every woman finds a wonderful man like I have. After all these years, my heart still skips a beat. Oh, yeah, and mice. They scare the sh** out of me!

Gratitude:**I am thankful that I have so many pleasant memories to enjoy and share.**

★MENU PLAN★OTHER GOOD STUFF★

2011-07-10T19:33:00.000-05:00

Mike and I spent a few hours this week getting our onions ready for use. Mike pulled them and hung them in bunches on the fence. We were hopeful that it would rain to wash the dirt off them, but no luck. We let them hang for 3 days. Today, we cut the tops and roots off and pulled off the dirt. I stuffed them into knee-high stockings or panty hose. We had a problem with the really huge onions. They wouldn't fit in a stocking. I cut open some new body buffs. They stretch out to be about 15' long. I cut them into 3 pieces and tied a double knot in one end. Put one onion in, tie a knot, add another onion, tie a knot, continue until the 'tube' is full. This process is the same for the stockings. We used hooks in the rafters and old wood broom handles to create hanging space. I don't know how they do it in the onion farms, but we will have the garage doors open in the daytime with a big fan going. When I need an onion, I clip one off; just cut below the knot. There is no way we can use this many onions before a hard freeze. We will give some to family and friends. I will julienne some for fajitas and freeze them with julienne peppers in meal-size portions. The rest will go in our veggie bin.

My hubby picked me wildflowers today. He is so sweet.

I got a surprise in the mail yesterday. My sweet friend, Karen, from the Barely There Primitive Bear, sent me a package. She said she saw these and thought of me. Isn't that just the sweetest? I collect rolling pins and I especially collect child-size kitchen utensils and salesman's samples. This is perfect for my vignette. And the feedsack is originally from Oakland, Iowa. How's that for coincidence? Thank you so much, Karen. You are a thoughtful and considerate friend. I am blessed.

I also got a package from yet another sweet gal. Sue, from Primsue's Heart and Home,sent me all these goodies. I was surprised and thrilled. I have seen the towels with the little tab on them on other blogs but never in person. I love it! I have it hanging on the peg rack above my sink. I collect Gooseberry Patch cookbooks so this is perfect for me. There was also a handmade penny rug, a great piece of Americana and it fits perfectly on the tank in our master bathroom where I decorate with Americana. In Sue's note, she said the little doll reminded her of me. Her name tag says she is Daisy. I like that name. Her little apron says 'Kindness Matters'. She is on my dresser.

Thank you, Sue. You really surprised me. I love it all. You have proven it>>

Kindness Matters.

Here is where my new towel hangs. Pay no attention to the man beyond the window.

This is where Daisy sits, right next to some of my favorite things.

See, a perfect fit.....

We went to an auction on Saturday morning. It was so hot but it was at the shelterhouse, right next to the Des Moines River and the breeze was a Godsend. My first purchase was this wood birdhouse. I put it here so I could get a good picture of it. I'm thinking I will put a plant inside it. And maybe a fake bird.....

Mike picked up a box lot and this mob cap was in it. Score!

He also got an apple peeler, a lap blanket, and some stuff I am taking to Goodwill.

He also grabbed this old pickle jar for me. He knew my other 2 are full and I needed another vessel for storing my wood spools. I ordered some lids from the Dutchman's Store. It's hard to find these jars with lids. That's why I have sifters on them, in place of lids.

While we were at the Dutchman's, I got some peaches to make some preserves. Freshly picked from Missouri. They smell so awesome. They just need to ripen up a little bit.

This is Mayweed. It is in full bloom all over the countryside. It is just a weed but it is pretty.

This rudbekkia was being overshadowed by the rhubarb. We cut back the rhubarb and look at it now.

The profusion zinnias are blooming nicely. I save the heads and use them to plant the next year.

This is the garden where the rudbekkia and rhubarb grow. I got this cream can at the auction. We found this street sign. We got the hand plow years ago at a sale.

Plaque-Goodwill-$1.38
I am working on my buying compulsion. I have several boxes to take to Goodwill on our next trip. I have been reading up on organization, purging, etc. I looked and realized I have 6 sets of sheets for our bed. How many sheets does a person need? Well, I'm saving 3 sets and taking 3 sets to Goodwill. That's just one example. Still working on it.
Our garden is doing well and we will be eating from it everyday. The cucumbers are almost ready and I will make a big batch of refrigerator pickles. Pretty soon, the tomatoes will be more abundant and I will get some soup ready to can.
SUNDAY>>Spicy Mango pork chops, corn on the cob, cantaloupe
MONDAY>> chicken fajitas
TUESDAY>>Green beans with bacon, onions and new potatoes
WEDNESDAY>>Cabbage fried with green peppers and onions and kielbasa
THURSDAY>>BLTs
FRIDAY>> Salmon on the grill, grilled zucchini and red peppers
SATURDAY>> dinner out
Gratitude:**I am so thankful for A/C. It is hot, humid and miserable here.**

RANDOM ROADSIDE PICS OF MY WEEK

2011-07-09T21:56:00.000-05:00

I can't even begin to guess how many times I have been down this road.

My best friend from high school, Rita, used to live here on this lot. I didn't know the house was gone......

My Dad worked here for over 30 years.

The mighty Mississippi River that we take for granted

water lilies starting to show themselves

roadside beauties

rudbekkia, coneflowers, coreopsis tickseed, mayweed, milkweed

tiger lilies

It was a busy week for me, but I got a lot of things done. I am taking my camera wherever I go as it is prime picture-taking-time here in the Midwest. The above are pictures of things that caught my eye as I was driving by.
If you click on the pictures, they enlarge and you get a better view. Maybe you will see the beauty here as I do.
Gratitude:** I am thankful that the good Lord has given me eyes with which to see all this beauty, ears so that I may hear all the sounds of nature and man, a nose so I can smell the flowers and all the other delightful aromas, taste buds so I can savor the flavors of all the great produce available at this time and my sense of touch so I can feel the breeze passing over my skin and the grass under my feet. God is good.**

PRIMITIVE PANTRY ~ PETS

2011-07-08T12:34:00.002-05:00

Ah, pets.....dogs in particular. One of my favorite topics, right after Hubby, children, grandchildren and parents; but before my collections and my collectibles.
The thing that is especially great about them is unconditional love and affection.
It doesn't matter how many hours a day you are gone-it could be just minutes-, they are always thrilled to see you, showering you with kisses ( and scratches ) and wagging their tails a million times a minute. When you don't feel quite up to snuff or even full-blown sick, they are their to show their concern; help warm away those shivers. They will gladly clean up old scraps or leftovers so they don't go to waste.
They fiercely protect your little ones, each other and their territory. They provide us with endless amusement, though not always intentional.

You can't see her face, but this was an intentional belly shot. This is Cami and she was just days away from delivering her first litter of puppies. She had to have a C-section. It was our first and only attempt at insemination via the vet. As it turned out, her puppies were huge by mini-dachshund standards. If you go this route, be sure you know who they are capturing semen from.

They were absolutely beautiful, just bigger than any we had ever had. We kept them in an old Pack 'n Play I got at a yard sale.

This is what Cami looks like today---2 litters of puppies, 9 pups. We kept one from her last litter. I'll show her soon. Cami is an extremely sweet and affectionate dog but do NOT mistake her for timid. If any of the other dogs messes with her pup ( now 3 years old ), she will make them regret it.

This is Cami with Loyal. Loyal is 7 years old. Cami is 5. Loyal is really small, but she has keen eyesight. She can spot a squirrel over a block away and boy does she set off an alarm! Loyal has never had puppies though we considered breeding her with a chihuahua. They are an AKC accepted mixed breed called the chi-weinie. Weird, huh?

This is Cami's baby--Gingersnap is her name. We call her Ginger, sometimes Poodie. That is Tate sacked out with her. Dogs sleep a minimum of 16 hours a day. They play hard and work hard and expect little in return.

This is our oldest--Clifford--whose registered name is Parker's McClintock. Why do we call him Clifford? Because the kids wanted to. Clifford never got to sire any puppies ( bad advice from the vet ). He has been a great dog. He'll chase any ball, no matter how big or small it is--even if it's a rock! He has 'babysat' every litter of puppies we ever had. When the pups would get weaned and were still here, they would kennel up with Clifford. He just loves puppies. If you ever had a litter of pups, you know the Mom gets really tired of them chewing all over her. Clifford just loves to be swamped with bothersome babes. He is such a good dog--our first dachshund and kind of a left-handed gift from Sara and her husband. He is really getting old-15-but still acts like a puppy himself. We know he is not long for this world. 15 is pretty old for a dachshund. Not looking forward to that.

This is Cricket. She is 8. She had 1 litter--3 little boys by c-section. Something happened during her surgery and she couldn't provide milk. We had to bottle feed them and after Libby had her pups--about 3 days later--she took Cricket's pups as her own. Very sad for Cricket. She is a very good-natured dog and very affectionate.

This is our #2 dog, man's best friend. Her name is Gillian and she is 11. She had 3 litters of pups and lost 1 at birth. Loyal is a pup from her last litter. Mike doesn't go anywhere without Gillian. She is the only dog that sleeps with us. She is definitely the matriarch of this tribe.

She doesn't look that authoritative, does she? She is smaller than all the dogs except her daughter, Loyal.

Here she is giving her Dad some sugar.

Little Lady Liberty--we call her Libby. She was our best little breeder. She still loves puppies. I'm sure she would adopt any orphan. She had 5 litters.

Reba is Libby's daughter, kept from Libby's last litter. She looks exactly like a male Libby had. His name was Tony. Libby and Reba are perfect examples of the breed. Neither of them ever gains an ounce. They are so trim, just perfect.

These are some of Libby's puppies. They are about the size of a brat when they are born.

Just a charming pic of Loyal with her Dad, Tate.

Family picture---Tate, the Dad, Loyal, Gillian, the Mom

Reba as a pup

Reba as an adult

Reba babysitting Cami's puppies

Puppy Reba with her parents--Tate and Libby

Tate and Reba looking out the window, probably a squirrel out there :)

Tate, today. Tate is 11 now. He has sired 56 puppies and he is totally blind. He is still very active and knows his world. We carry him up and down the stairs to go outside. We have a fenced-in back yard where they all roam around. He knows his way around that by memory. All the dogs live in our family room so I don't move furniture or change things so he can continue to negotiate around here. The other dogs do take advantage of him. We've always played a game with treats where I toss them to them and they catch in the air. Some are very good at it. Some not so much. It used to be that Tate rarely missed but these days, he doesn't do so well. He insists on playing and the other dogs snap up the missed goodies. So I try to get very close and make sure he gets his treats.
They are a very good bunch of dogs. If they ever passed a law that said you could only have one dog? Well, I'd make a costume and put it on the dogs one at a time and let them out. There is no favorite, no worst. They each have the capacity to be either.
Gratitude:**I am thankful that our daughter brought Clifford to us instead of taking him back to the kennel. We became so infatuated with the breed that we have 9 of them and love every one. If you want a good friend, get a dog. If you want another good friend, get another dog!.**