Simple Pleasures

...like taking a walk, observing new blooms, dabbling in art, being with loved ones, sharing good food and good times. These pleasures are mine because others have served and died to keep this country free and secure. Hope your Memorial Day was special, and thanks so much for your visit. xo, Sandy

A Sampling of Quotes

"Time makes demands on all of us,

but we can become time's master

if we remember to stop

and do something

purely because it delights us."

"The worst loneliness

is not to be comfortable
with yourself."

-Mark Twain

"A little kingdom I possess

where thoughts and feelings dwell."

-Louisa May Alcott

A boy, a knight, and hay bales

Grandson Garrett spent the afternoon at our house. He and I made a visit to the health care center to see my mom. She was amazed at how much he has grown. Then we stopped by the antique place. It was his first time to go with me. He checked out booth after booth and spied something he wanted on the upper level. Luckily the knight he desired was only $2 due to many chipped spots on the chalk figure. Ah, the magic of Rub 'n Buff Gold Leaf and a black Sharpie marker. He spent time playing inside and outside, always on the go and constantly hungry. He was energy, fun, and sweetness.

Comfort in a Cookie

I needed a comfort food today to rid myself

of a bout of depression. Oatmeal raisin cookies

came to my rescue. A few years ago I took the lid

from a Quaker Oatmeal carton, glued buttons around it, and kept the tried and true recipe up in the cupboard. Countless times a batch of these moist and tasty cookies has helped a sour mood disappear. Thankfully my outlook improved after

feeling productive in the kitchen. Hugs, Sandy

Textures

kitchen scale in a lighter color...still hanging on to the other rusty one

birdhouse church on top of the hutch


straw hat atop lightweight baskets that store letters and cards

organ stool that was my grandmother's

rustic planter that holds photos

gold beaded coasters

Sentimental Objects

I've been up to my old habit of rearranging things. Sentimental me has to have objects out where I can see them. I love being surrounded with personal belongings that are full of meaning and memories.

Hope your week is off to a lovely start. Thank you for visiting.

The Desk

Though not the desk of my dreams from all the magazine clippings I have saved over the years, it nevertheless pleases me. Yesterday my husband surprised me by saying, "Let's go get your layaway desk." He surprised me even more by not hating it. It's a refinished black and natural wood secretary desk from Maryland, or so the tag says. I was surprised by how much the black appealed to me...loved some of the details...wasn't too massive...and the price had been significantly reduced. Some of my journals were too large to stand upright on the shelves so I had to stack them or turn a few on their side. The drawers and cubbyholes are yet to be filled...I'm looking forward to that and to lots of writing enjoyment at my new/old desk.

As I Walk and Look...

On my morning walk I noticed a tiny bird egg in the grass. Its shell was broken. If you turned it over, the jagged holes were not visible. I carried it inside, washed it gently, and placed it in a small decorative nest.

A Splendid Saturday

ten laps=three miles

front step location=statue favoritism

hollyhocks in background=future blooms

primroses and phlox = color surplus

a few plants=abundant beauty
Thanks, Mary

rocks and flowers=beautiful combo

This cool and balmy Saturday was delightful.

Hope your day was lovely, too!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend...Happy Mother's Day.

Decisions

My trips to the mall are rare. But clothes and shoes require quite a bit of looking and trying on. After exhausting myself with decisions I took a short rest in front of the carousel. Then it was time to escape the mall scene and check out two antique places. The shop in the photo had unusual offerings. However, it was at another antique mall store where I made a big decision to put something in layaway. Now if only I can stop feeling guilty about this purchase...even with a marked down "great deal" price I feel guilty because it's not something in the need category. It has been one of those nagging wants that wouldn't go away. Flustered and nervous, I forgot to get a picture of my find inside the store. You will have to wait a few weeks to see a picture of the secretary desk I chose.

Wednesday Wishes

*that every child could have a sweet childhood*

*that crayons will always be around for little ones*

* that pieces of the past will always be cherished*
I can't help but wonder who once held this old children's lunch basket or slate or schoolbell.