We've lived in our house now for almost four years. When we had it built we went with the idea of low end everything and we'll put in "upscale" things as the Lord provides. Well this summer I got to paint.
I know, some of you just groaned, "got too?!" Yes, I love to paint. I tackled the living room first. It went from being the Macadamia White to Periwinkle Dusk. (Periwinkle is my ALL time favorite color!)
I didn't think to take before and after pictures of it, but my, what a difference! It's warm and inviting now.
Next came the downstairs bathroom. Again no before and after pictures. It went from the same Macadamia White to Sweet Honey. It is such a fun welcoming color that we decided the entryway and kitchen should be the same color. Wow! What a difference. The Macadamia White was a flat paint and the Sweet Honey is a semi-gloss. (Great clean up!)
Here's the Periwinkle Dusk next to the Sweet Honey!
So happy this part of the house is done. Now we're thinking about colors for the rest of the house.
I grab a meal out here and there, and when I can I love to to go to Chick-fil-A. It's worth the trip, especially if you order a kids meal. I know that sounds bad, but look at the thought that has gone into the toy. I am SO impressed.
They are educational, fun, and I don't want to throw them out.
I know it's a silly thing to blog about, but I am very pleased with the quality and thought that Chick-fil-A has put into their kids meals. They really are a step up from everywhere else.
Welcome back for another trip down Memory Lane with me. My shelf by shelf tour of special memories, past down to me by those who are dear to my heart. Here is our next shelf to look at . . . It's a fun little shelf isn't it?! I found many hours of enjoyment from the toys that now find sanctuary on this shelf. See the multi - colored thingy in the back-ground. A simple toy made of thin cardboard and cheap plastic.(My grandma had to staple it shut a couple of times.) It is a game that has weighted capsules of different colors and you have to match the colored capsule with the colored space. I have only mastered it a couple of times in my life. I use to get so frustrated with it.
My country grandma always had games for us to play when we were at her house. The little baby in the dish was one from my "collection", growing up. I used to have one or two dolls with ceramic appendages and cloth bodies. I only kept this little one, she was so sweet I couldn't part with her. Speaking of sweet little dolls - I spent countless hours playing with this one. This Little Red Writing Hood doll is also the Big Bad Wolf and Granny. You turn her upside down and turn her skirt inside out and there you have it. You have Granny with her night cap on and if you pull the night cap up and pull it over Granny's face, you have the wolf dressed like Granny. I don't know if you can still buy them, but I don't think they'd be that hard to make. These simple little black and white dog magnets kept me busy playing chase at my grandma's kitchen table. Just two tiny "Toto" dogs, one black one white with magnets on the bottom. They would be attracted to each other one direction and "running from one another the other way. My grandmas old table was sturdy, but I could put one of the dogs under the table and drag the other dog around from under the table. O those were the days of easy entertainment. This little "wheelbarrow" is a salt shaker. It did come to my house with a mate, but alas, it met with a terrible end. I had them sitting in my window in my kitchen above the sink. I had the window open and the wind blew the pepper wheelbarrow out of the window. I heard something fall, but all I saw in the sink was a few feathers and flowers, out of a small toothpick holder. (Yes I keep all sorts of small "treasures" at my house) Anyway, I didn't think anymore of it. I was cleaning up after a meal, sraped the plates into the disposal and flipped the switch . . ."Grind, crunch, jug, jug, jug..." I flipped it off in terror! WHAT DID I KILL! It was the pepper wheelbarrow, it was broken beyond repair. I was very sad as I removed all the little pieces and threw them away. So, now this little guy has to go through life alone. *sigh*
The juicer behind it is glass. I also used it when I first got it from my grandma's. All I can say is that she is a much more careful woman than I am. I should not be around too many breakable things. .. .It came with two sizes of juicers and now it has only one. This big one's not broken and that's because I decided, that before I killed it, I should put it up. Maybe my daughter, or my future daughter-in-law will be graceful enough to handle having it in their kitchen.
Well, that's all for now. (Trust me there's more) I was blessed to have such a rich childhood of precious memories. I would love to hear some of your stories. Please share them with me.
Come on a tour with me through Memory Lane. (Actually it's just a shelf in my Great Grandma's Secretary)
I was given many beautiful things from my grandmother's home when she could no longer live there. They are spread throughout my home. I want to share my memories of these things with you all and why these "earthly treasures" are so dear to me. It's not because of any monetary value they may have, it's sentimental value all the way. Let's start with the little girl in the back corner. . . She used to be in my room up on my dresser when I was growing up.
Of course I wasn't suppose to touch her, but I did, and she bears the wounds
of a little disobedient girl. Whenever I look at it, I remember saying that
familiar prayer - Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take - then I'd say,
God bless Mommy, and Daddy, and Brother, and Sister, and . . .on and on.
I didn't realize what a blessed child I was to be in a Christian home.
I didn't understand that there were (and are) children who have never heard
of Jesus or Salvation. Now I am the mother of a little girl. She is just learning to
pray. She has very little understanding of life outside of our home, but she is
learning to pray for those she knows and loves. Lord willing she will grow into
a strong woman of God, who loves Him and serves Him with her whole heart. This porcelain spice rack use to hang in my grandma's kitchen. You can't see it very well, but there are two
draws under the spice jars. It's made to look like a little book shelf. I used to beg my grandma to get it down and let me "see" it. I got to see it once, at the kitchen table while she was doing dishes right next to me. She use to keep matches in the little draws - she took those out first of course. She never did put any spices in the "books", but I sure did love looking at it. Now it sits in my secretary, being pretty, and my little girl begs to "look" at it. I think I'll wait a few more years before I pull it out and let her enjoy the history in her hands. These tea cups belonged to my great grandmas. The one on the left was Zadie Violet's, the picture on it reminds me of "The Shire", for you Tolken fans. She passed away before I was old enough to really get to know her. The one on the right was Alta's. She passed away when I was in high school. I got to spend time
with her and she was a wonderful Great Grandma. She use to let me comb her hair, we'd walk out in the garden together, work on puzzles or just talk. She use to have instant coffee in the mornings, and would fill her cup all the way to the brim. She would take a tea spoon and gingerly take a spoon at a time, while it was piping hot, as it cooled she would sip it. She would sit at my grandma's kitchen table and watch the birds play in the birdbath and fly around the feeders. Someday, I want to have "tea parties" with my little girl and use these tea cups.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this trip down memory lane. I have more shelves and more memories to share, but that will have to wait for another time.
From the kitchen...Silence, I haven't started the dishwasher yet
I am wearing...a black skirt, blue shirt, and Crocs
I am creating...Nothing lately
I am going...to visit friends tonight
I am reading...my Bible and sometimes other blogs
I am hoping...I will get a nap today
I am hearing...the creaking of a chair behind me as my son shifts while doing his studies, my daughter playing, and my husband making work related calls.
Around the house...The dog is sleeping, the appliances are humming that low electric sound, and things are mellow.
One of my favorite things...is time alone
Here's a picture I thought I'd share:
Still in Love!
Outside My Window...I see lush green grass, and blue sky with soft cotton clouds.
I am thinking...I really should be cleaning the house right now.
I am thankful for...this wonderful country we live in, we really do have SO many freedoms.
From the kitchen...the smell of lunch lingers in the air.
I am wearing...a black shirt, a black skrt and my black crocks. (No, I didn't plan it, I was in a hurry and this was clean.)
I am creating...more messes than useful things lately.
I am going...clean my house after I get done blogging. (Priorities, ya know)
I am reading...my Bible, and browsing Jane Austen.
I am hoping...I will be more productive this afternoon than this morning.
I am hearing...crickets, in a mighty chorus
Around the house...my son is studying hard, my daughter is sleeping, and my husband is elevating his sore foot.
One of my favorite things...is to take a walk in the cool fall air, then come home and have a BIG cup of hot chocolate.
Here's a picture I thought I'd share:
This is my way of saying good-bye to summer. It's been fun my friend, parting is bitter sweet.
I am thinking...it's been a long day and I should get to bed
I am thankful for...a husband who loves me so much
From the kitchen...complete silence
I am wearing...my PJs
I am creating...a wedding video from the wedding I was just at this weeked
I am going...to get up after typing this and go to bed
I am reading...my Bible, no time for any other books
I am hoping...that the video of the wedding turns out well
I am hearing...the crickets outside sing: "Go to bed, sleepy head. . ."
Around the house...my guys are off together doing something and my little girl is asleep already, she's the smart one.
One of my favorite things...is to take a long soak in the tub with candles lit to fragrance the air
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: finish wedding pictures & make video
Here's a picture I thought I'd share:
I visited Sweet Magnolia's site and she had a post like this on it. I took and look and jumped on board. :)
Outside My Window...The Soybean are waving to the weeds, which are frantically waving back.
I am thinking...I know I should be doing something else right now, but I can't remember what.
I am thankful for...my husband, children and home life.
From the kitchen...I hear the dishes calling me in the dishwasher.
I am wearing...an old red sports t-shirt, a gray skirt, and black crocs
I am creating...nothing at the moment.
I am going...to get up after typing this and answer the dishes.
I am reading...Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
I am hoping...that I can get more than this post done while Squirrely-Jo is napping
I am hearing...the buzz of the baby monitor from the kitchen
Around the house...Bubba is working on school, my husband is working on a sermon, Squirrely-Jo is napping, and I am typing this.
One of my favorite things...to have time to draw, paint, watch a Jane Austen movie, eat ice cream. . .and the list goes on.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Can beets, tomatoes, and love my family more than myself.
Praise the Lord for the bounty of the harvest! He certainly has been providing for our pantry for this fall and winter. This is my third year of canning and freezing. This has also been the biggest year. Applesauce, pickles, relish, peppers, green beans, strawberries, blueberries, and more. Starting again Monday, I'll be canning beets. Later in the week, more zucchini relish, spaghetti sauce, and more as the garden keeps giving. So, for those of you out there that are wondering, "Where is she and why isn't there
a new picture up. . .", that's why. And the fact that we've started home school for the year.
May the Lord bless you and keep you until I post again!
Have you ever played “Mad Libs”? Where someone asks for nouns, verbs, adjectives, and you say whatever comes into your head, and it turns out to be a crazy, nonsensical, story?! Well, if you like that you’ll like this next game I’m going to tell you about.
Sunday, we were over visiting with Robinlyn’s family. We had a wonderful time. I got involved in a writing game with Breezy Tulip, and Miss Emily Rose. It’s great fun if you’ve never tried it you should.
Everyone gets a piece of paper and a pencil. You write your initials in the left hand margin and write a sentence, then you hand it to the next person. That person writes a sentence based on what you have written, then folds over the paper so the next person can’t see what you’ve written. So, the paper continues to go around the circle of people and each person writes a sentence based on what the person before them has written. (The rest of the sentences are hidden, by folding over the paper.)
This is the story I started, but I imagined a completely different ending.
(For those of you who can’t read the above picture)
My sentence: Alice Beetle caught a dreadful cold, while assisting her brother Bart Beetle with his chores.
Person 2: Bart was so sorry he made his sister Alice sick, and tried to make it up to her by making a get-well card for her.
Person 3: Even though he made a get well card she didn’t get well, she just got worse.
Person 4: And she died.
Person 5: The whole family was sad.
My sentence again (Not realizing that this was even my story): Dad threw himself into he work in the barn; mom stayed in be with the covers over her head; and the rest of the family sat starring at each other, their minds in total confusion.
Person 2: They couldn’t figure out what happen to their family; everything was so disorganized, the children couldn’t fix their own meals, and their grandparents refused to visit.
Person 3: Nobody wanted to come over or do anything, so they just sat on the couch and watched TV.
Person 4: Because of all the TV, their brains began to shrink, and their stomachs enlarged because of their vegging.
Person 5: They were all so scared and ran into a hole.
My last sentence (Not knowing that this was my story): Pushing and poking one another to scoot over, so they all fit, and now they were safe,
I didn’t realize poor Alice would die, I feel awful! This is not at all the story I saw in my mind. I like happy endings. But it made us all laugh at the sad down word spiral of the whole thing.
If you are looking for a rainy day game to play with those in your family who can write, this is a good one. Have fun!
December 8:
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our coffee and tea and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9:
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a
more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snow plow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.
December 12:
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. What a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry; though, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man. I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14:
Snow, lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to
-20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath
away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15:
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. I bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16:
There was an ice storm this morning. Fell on my rear on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like crazy. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17:
It’s still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay
warm. There was nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. Man, I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20:
Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the white stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. That obnoxious snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. I called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22:
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches
of the white stuff fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think he is lying.
December 23:
There was only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she...nuts??? Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did, but I think she's lying.
December 24:
6 more inches! Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel! Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the irksome person who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him
through the snow by his ears. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was busy watching for the snowplow.
December 25:
Merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the nasty slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil! Man, I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to lose it.
December 26:
Still snowed in. Why in the world did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27:
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.
December 28:
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The WIFE is driving me crazy!!!
December 29:
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30:
Roof caved in. The snowplow driver is suing me for a million dollars for the bump on his head. The wife went home to her mother. 9 more inches predicted.
December 31:
Set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling!!
January 8:
I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?
Well, I've packed up my Bloggspot posts and moved over here to the Homeschool bogger! Some of my friends were already here and it seemed such a nice little community I just couldn't stay away. I have been homeschooling my son since Kindergarden and my daughter is two. Her training has already started. When I first started homeschooling, I treated it more like public school. Then it hit me that we have more freedoms than that. :) School doesn't start and stop like public school, it starts when we're born and stops when we're dead. We are constantly learning! So, stop by and say hi and leave me a note. I'd like to get to know my new neighbors. :) May God Bless you today!, Shutterbug
I knew it would be a beautiful day from the moment I was up. I looked out our windows that face the west and saw pink and gold reflecting off of the neighbor’s windows and knew the sunrise was worth braving the cold outdoors. I grabbed my camera, slipped out the sliding glass doors, and ran across our back yard. It was chilly, I could see my breath, and there was a light coat of frost, just enough to make the grass crunch under my feet. (I love that) I think our neighbor's barn makes a nice addition to the shot. :) My camera did not gather any dust that day. There were birds playing in the tall weeds out back and I even had a gorgeous Blue Bird at my feeder, but the picture didn't turn out. :( I love watching them fly around and it never ceases to amaze me how they can land on a single weed and it dosen't fall over or break off. (Let's play, find the Sparrow!)Most of the day was spent cleaning and cooking for the company that was coming the next day, intermingled with seeing to the needs of our two year old daughter. She is such a busy little person! :) We played with blocks, hide and seek, colored, and finally she wanted me to read a book to her. So, we sat on the floor in her room and I read short Mother Goose Rhymes to her. I felt her hand slowly work it's way up my arm and onto my cheek. (That's a major, "I'm tired", sign.) Sure enough she was drifting off to sleep. I had no idea what time it was, 'cause there's no clock in her room, but I went with it and held her close rocking her to sleep. One of those Kodak moments, but for some things in life there are no pictures only sweet memories. :) I soon discovered it was 12:15 and we hadn't eaten. Oops! (I fed her when she got up, don't worry.) Once she was in bed, I really got my work done. By the end of the night I had caught up on laundry, cleaned the house, cooked up a batch of Red Beans, (for Red Beans and Rice), some buffalo stew, and deboned a rabbit, that was cooked to perfection in the slow cooker. (Shot on Thanksgiving day by my hubby!) My wonderful man turned that rabbit into delicous rabbit stew the next morning. (Sorry I don't have a picture) I can tell you it was the best rabbit stew I've ever had! :) By that evening I was tired, but feeling good. I looked out the window as the sun was playing with the clouds, before it went to bed.This was the beauty the Lord had for me to see. From sunrise to sunset, what a glorious day! :)
They were made for each other, but somehow they got separated. “Lost, lost, my other half is lost”, cried Lefty. “I don’t want to walk through this world alone, I miss my mate!” Then he had an idea. “Maybe I could put an add in the paper, maybe someone has seen my intended.” Missing: My sole mate! Description: Graying around the tips. At first glance looks frazzled and ashen, but warm and soft if you look closer. “If you have any information pertaining to the disappearance of my other half, please contact Lefty!” Ok, doing laundry today finally threw me over the edge! LOL! :)
Welcome to Through My Eyes. I picked this title because I love to take pictures. So, come on in, have a seat, relax and enjoy some of my favorite pictures, and maybe a story or two. :)
Here's the Periwinkle Dusk next to the Sweet Honey! 
![[simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/R_oYnQ_FpeI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/fOF6zzksxXU/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg)
It's a fun little shelf isn't it?! I found many hours of enjoyment from the toys that now find sanctuary on this shelf.
See the multi - colored thingy in the back-ground. A simple toy made of thin cardboard and cheap plastic.(My grandma had to staple it shut a couple of times.) It is a game that has weighted capsules of different colors and you have to match the colored capsule with the colored space. I have only mastered it a couple of times in my life. I use to get so frustrated with it. 
Speaking of sweet little dolls - I spent countless hours playing with this one. This Little Red Writing Hood doll is also the Big Bad Wolf and Granny. You turn her upside down and turn her skirt inside out and there you have it. You have Granny with her night cap on and if you pull the night cap up and pull it over Granny's face, you have the wolf dressed like Granny. I don't know if you can still buy them, but I don't think they'd be that hard to make.
These simple little black and white dog magnets kept me busy playing chase at my grandma's kitchen table. Just two tiny "Toto" dogs, one black one white with magnets on the bottom. They would be attracted to each other one direction and "running from one another the other way. My grandmas old table was sturdy, but I could put one of the dogs under the table and drag the other dog around from under the table. O those were the days of easy entertainment. 
This little "wheelbarrow" is a salt shaker. It did come to my house with a mate, but alas, it met with a terrible end. I had them sitting in my window in my kitchen above the sink. I had the window open and the wind blew the pepper wheelbarrow out of the window. I heard something fall, but all I saw in the sink was a few feathers and flowers, out of a small toothpick holder. (Yes I keep all sorts of small "treasures" at my house) Anyway, I didn't think anymore of it. I was cleaning up after a meal, sraped the plates into the disposal and flipped the switch . . ."Grind, crunch, jug, jug, jug..." I flipped it off in terror! WHAT DID I KILL! It was the pepper wheelbarrow, it was broken beyond repair. I was very sad as I removed all the little pieces and threw them away. So, now this little guy has to go through life alone. *sigh* 
Let's start with the little girl in the back corner. . .
She used to be in my room up on my dresser when I was growing up. 
This porcelain spice rack use to hang in my grandma's kitchen. You can't see it very well, but there are two 
These tea cups belonged to my great grandmas. The one on the left was Zadie Violet's, the picture on it reminds me of "The Shire", for you Tolken fans. She passed away before I was old enough to really get to know her. The one on the right was Alta's. She passed away when I was in high school. I got to spend time
He certainly has been providing for our pantry for this fall and winter. This is my third year of canning and freezing. 
This has also been the biggest year. Applesauce, pickles
, relish, 
peppers, green beans, strawberries, 
blueberries, and more. 
Starting again Monday, I'll be canning beets. Later in the week, more zucchini relish, spaghetti sauce, and more as the garden keeps giving. So, for those of you out there that are wondering, "Where is she and why isn't there 
