Hmm....Dancing Sandwiches??

This is one of those signs that leaves you scratching your head and laughing! We spent the past few days at my daughters place up near Flint, Michigan and I took a picture of this sign to share with you for a good laugh. We passed it several times and wondered what they would say if we stopped in and asked to see those "dancing sandwiches". LOL

We also went to the Flint Institute of Art on Saturday to see the AMAZING European Masterpiece paintings that are on display Nov.29th through March 8th. I tell you I was just literally in awe over these old paintings that are just too beautiful for words. And the size of some of them ....just huge! I have a new appreciation for the painters of these indescrible pieces and the talent they had. Most were from the 1500's through the 1800's and I so wished I could take pictures of them , but it was not allowed. You must go see them if you ever get a chance. Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving as I will not be at my computer until Sunday afternoon or evening. I am thankful for so many things...my wonderful husband of over 31 years , my three amazing children, their spouses and my precious grandchildren...my heavenly Father and the many times He has answered our prayers...my loving parents who raised me in the best home ever. I really do owe them a lot. I used to tell my father when I was little that when I grew up I was going to marry him...oh the things we say as youngsters. LOL I am also thankful for friends that stay with you through thick and thin . I could go on and on, but I will leave you with this thought:

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?" -William A. Ward"

WONDERFUL Vintage Treasures Book

I absolutely adore this book! I imagine a lot of you out there in blog land already have it, but I wanted to share it for the few who might not. I return to this beautiful book over and over and it is one of my very favorites. It has so many gorgeous ideas in it to transform flea market finds and there are a couple ideas that I want to try soon.

I am watching my little 1 and 1/2 year old granddaughter again today and she is such pure , innocent joy and I love her to pieces!!

Enjoy and blessings ~

Tightening of the Purse Strings...

I need to remember the following scripture as my husband and I tighten down our purse strings. My husband came home yesterday from work with news that was not what we wanted to hear. Our medical insurance premiums have increased by $60 a week and we now pay over $550 a month off the top of his paycheck for the two of us. Seems the paycheck doesn't go far enough as it is and now this...but I try to remind myself to be thankful that he isn't making even less than he is as some are. God is good and I know He will take care of us. Please don't get me wrong, I know there are people that are far worse off than us and with this economy I have a feeling many things will get worse instead of better. God has a plan and His way is always best! This is what I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes? Look at the sparrows: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than many sparrows? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers . . . So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.[Matthew 6:25-34]"

Holiday Vignettes

I just love decorating for the seasons and thought I would show a few pictures of past decor. This could have been last year, but then again it could have been two years ago. LOL These goodies are displayed on an old chippy white vanity that I got at a garage sale a few years ago for $2.00. (I just love a bargain... don't you?) It sits inside our mud room at the back door entrance and I always love to decorate it for the upcoming holidays.

I cannot believe that Christmas is only a month away. I do not have much shopping done so I better get busy. Although I will say with the state of the economy and all we are not spending much this year...not that we have ever spent a lot, but we are spending even less and I think it will be a good thing. We have been blessed to have all our needs and many of our wants met over the years and although we are far from rich in money, we are certainly rich in friends and family and God in our lives.

Blessings to you and yours this beautiful Sunday ~

Creme de la Creme Treasures ~ Kits

I have been having fun putting together a few kits for my Etsy shop. I started making these yesterday and I sold one right after I listed it so that was neat. This kit has all vintage/antique trims in it and I love how it turned out. Have a wonderful Saturday ~ Blessings!

88th Post and Christmas Goodies...

I can't believe this is my 88th post! Wow...who would have thought? Stay tuned because I am planning a giveaway on my 100th post...or maybe on post number 101 to be different...LOL I have also had a little time to create today so I made a few more mitten ornaments that are covered in glass glitter and embellished with vintage millinery,lace and ribbon. Each one also includes a darling curly silver hanger. I just listed these in my Etsy shop. Blessings!

Handmade Evergreen Wreaths and Balls

My best friend has a wreath making party every year at her home so for the past several years I have made my own wreaths and evergreen balls. She purchases truckloads of greens and sets up two wreath making machines for everyone to use in her garage (which is just as nice as her house... it even has a kitchen and bathroom ). Then we also get to eat her delicious homemade vegetable beef soup , cookies and other homemade goodies. I have enjoyed this so much and I am looking forward to it again this year. She is getting pretty overwhelmed with all the people who want to come as it has grown larger every year, but I hope she hangs in there and continues it . Have a blessed day!

Yumm...Cappuccino

I loveeee cappuccino and I made one for myself to enjoy after I did some holiday decorating... Beautiful Christmas music playing softly in the background as I was thumbing through some of my holiday magazines. It was a perfectly delightful day. The older I get the more I treasure just the simple "me" times and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Don't get me wrong...I love my friends and family, but everyone needs there time to just get away from it all and have a peaceful reflection.

(Cappuccino ~ General Foods International French Vanilla Nut and then spray whipped cream on top and a dash of cinnamon ) Blessings!

A Little More Decorating...

I stood on my kitchen countertops last night and added this sparkly greenery to my displays that are on top of my kitchen cupboards. I thought it looked so pretty and then today...I opened a cupboard door and thought...DUH...this is NOT going to work.....all the little pretty strands hanging down get shut in the door! It was one of those moments...what WAS I thinking? So I need to make a few adjustments.

I have had these oak kitchen cupboards since 1982 when my father made them for me. (He has been a cabinet builder for as long as I can remember), but they have seen better days. I want to strip them and paint them so bad, but haven't took that leap yet. Maybe next summer. :) Blessings!

Holiday Decorating Slowly...

I purchased this decorative finial a few years ago and I still love it. We were visiting my son in Indiana and I saw a sign for a craft show at a large upscale home and so we followed the signs. This finial was one of my puchases. I intended to make more myself , but as a lot of things do that I have grand intentions for, it has not materialized. They had these hanging all over an "upside down" tree and it looked fantastic! I would guess it is at least 6 inches long. Love it!

Mercury glass candleholders and Christmas book....

Vintage mercury glass beaded picks and shimmery tree...

Simple white glittery pinecones....I am still looking for my old white pinecones that are attached to a vintage white ribbbon. I wonder what I did with them last year after Christmas...hmm...

This is the top of my kitchen window that is shown in the picture below. I have attached a long chippy white shutter and I decorate it different every year. You can't really tell by the pictures , but I have added a white glittery star garland and a shimmery sprig of greenery. Love the angel above as well.

I have accumulated a lot of decorations over the years and I will not be getting them all out this year. The older I get the more simple I want to decorate. I am sure part of it is the hauling everything out and putting it all back, but I like to think also that my decorating has "evolved" somewhat as well. LOL Enjoy and have a blessed day!

Prayers Requested Please

I am asking for prayer today for a family that has been devastated by the loss of a father and husband . At this time of year when the holidays are upon us I think it makes the days that much worse when loved ones are lost.

Our precious nephew's beautiful girlfriend lost her father this past week...a young life cut way too short ... He was in a motorcycle accident over a week ago and just as we thought he was getting better , he went home to be with the Lord. Hearts are breaking down here, but we do stand rejoicing in the fact that he is now at home with his Heavenly Father. The days and months ahead will be difficult for this family as they adjust to life without their loved one........may God comfort them as only He can.

Please pray for Becky(mom and wife), Jill, Katelyn, Tyler (children) that God will surround them with his love and comfort and hold them up in this very difficult time.

Vintage Buttons

I read over at Dawn's blog that this week has been declared International Button Week so I thought I would share a few of my buttons with you. I just ladore old buttons and I have accumulated quite a stash of them. I love to use them in my handmade items, and also just love to look at them sitting in jars and wonder where they have been in the past. The poem that Dawn wrote about buttons is so neat so be sure and check out her blog and read it. Happy button hunting on your travels! Blessings~

My Vignette Featured at Painted White

I am thrilled to tell you that Alice from Painted White has featured some of my fall photos in her latest romantic vignette. Please check it out and also check out Alice's site. It is wonderful! Blessings!

Romantic Magazine~Dovetales

I will be the first one to admit that I am addicted to magazines...especially romantic ones. I subscribe to Romantic Homes,Victoria, Country Living, Country Home and this latest one Dovetales. I also pick up a few issues at the store including Somerset Life and Romantic Country. I am not sure if it was a one time promotion or if it is ongoing, but I got a year (4 issues) of Dovetales magazine free just for signing up and I absolutely love this winter issue. Enjoy and blessings!

Renewed Chippy White Chair

Per my previous post I put one of the skirts that I found at the Goodwill on a chair and I love the look. I just took a chair pad and inserted it inside the skirt and tucked it under and wa....la......neat look. I love the color also! Enjoy! (sorry the planter doesn't look too great...I have just been sticking old roses that have been laying around in it and they are not arranged pretty)

Recycled Skirts

I don't know about you , but I love to find wonderful fabrics when looking in unexpected places. These are pictures of two skirts that I purchased at a Goodwill store for $2.50 each because I absolutely love the fabric.

I thought the linen skirt that has the torn edge look to it and ruffles would make a gorgeous lampshade cover. I am not sure what I will do with the other one, but taken apart it would be a lovely drape for a shelf or put over a cushion on a chair and tucked in and let drape down. I encourage you to think outside the box and look for fabric in unexpected places and you will be surprised what you find.

Holiday Open House

I received these open house invitations in the mail and attended both yesterday. I do wish I had taken my camera along as the one at East Mulberry Gift Cottage also had her home on tour. Gorgeous small quaint home and her decor is just amazing! She had tree branches in the house attached to the wall and twined with tiny white lights... it was gorgeous. I can't remember if they were on the sides of a window or a mirror. ( lol ) They also had a working fireplace and it was nice and warm and cozy. I have always loved large victorian style homes, but lately I am drawn to the smaller homes that remind me of a cozy cottage. Blessings today to all of you!

Christmas Guest ~ Lovely Antique Book

Is this the most gorgeous antique book you have ever seen??? I found this a few years ago and there was no hesitation at all in purchasing it. It does not have a copyright date so it is an early one. I absolutely LOVE the cover and I know you will too... I am selling the vintage millinery roses in my Etsy shop. Please do visit....Blessings!