At Last

How nice to put that last quarter on the map! Finally Hawaii turned up in some loose change I had in my purse after shopping yesterday for groceries and a baby shower gift. I started collecting this set of quarters while I was still teaching third graders about our country and the fifty states. A whole lot of things happened between 1999 and 2008. Oh, my. . . the years certainly seem to be speeding by at an alarming rate. Here it is the last day of January 2009. . . thirty-one days already gone in this new year. This is why I'm glad I record in a journal. Too many days would be forgotten if I didn't write about them.

Wintry Mix

Winter returned last night, bringing sleet, ice, and snow. I braved the chill early this morning to snap a few pictures. . . also snapped an inside photo of another way I display butter pats. Tomorrow we'll probably clear away all the broken limbs. Too bad lovely ice causes all kinds of problems. However, our light dusting is nothing compared to what others are experiencing this winter. Counting my blessings and wishing you warmth and goodness on this Wednesday,

Sandy

Collecting

One of my very first collections was butter pats. It happened like this. I had stopped at an antique sale near Martin, Tennessee. The lady was selling a few large pieces from her home. In a wonderful country kitchen there was a slender shelf unit that held a huge collection of butter pats. . . row upon row of these little beauties. I had never seen anything like it. I was hooked from that day forward. Finding pretty butter pats became my mission. It proved to be harder than I had imagined. Condition, price, colors, and patterns had to be taken into account. I was also very picky. . . only certain ones passed that test all collectors know -"Must have it! It's too special to leave behind." Then, too, I preferred the ones made in England. Later came the arrival of eBay with other wonderful choices. My small collection of butter pats has brought me years of pleasure. I love looking at them!

My space for collectibles is just about full, but I wish you

HAPPY COLLECTING!

Sandy

Three Hours

This morning I was a responsible daughter and took my mom to her hair appointment and to the grocery store. This afternoon my dear husband practically ordered me out of the house to take some time for me. He told me he would keep an eye on my mother. The weather was great. . . in the 60's. I confess I stopped at the local antique shop. There were book sales in a couple of booths, and as you can see I purchased three hardbacks. The only other thing I bought was a tiny brown and white cup and saucer ornament that was 75% off . . . 38 cents! Those three hours and bargains on two of my favorite things (books and ornaments) helped to lift my spirits. It's therapeutic, and I highly recommend it.

Thursday thoughts

I have two snowflakes in my kitchen window. They will probably stay there until January ends. On Inauguration Day morning we had a brief shower of snowflakes. Of course, I watched TV most of that day . . . witnessing history and the smooth exchange of leadership.

This old-fashioned metal clip acts as a memo pad for grocery items. It's near the fridge so I can jot down what we need to buy on the next trip to the store. The stencilled wooden heart was a little buy that has remained with me for years.

a personal letter that I copied and used as a background for these flowers that were pressed in my Bible many years ago

Heart magnets keep memos on one side of the fridge. The tin animals folk art piece I once found on a flea market day with my mom.

Trying my best to stay at home and just be content

Avoiding antique shops (if I can)

Rereading Tully by Paullina Simons. . . unreal how much I had forgotten

Appreciating little things around the house

Sharing Memories

My eldest son drew my name for Christmas and gave me something that was perfect for me. Yesterday and today I loaded favorite pictures onto a memory card. His gift was a digital photo frame. Watching the images flow across the screen brought to mind many happy holidays and events as well as ordinary happenings...and how fast the young ones in the family are growing. Two grandsons Garrett and Gunner spent the day with us and got the biggest kick out of watching past times such as tossing leaves in the air, posing in Halloween costumes, climbing trees, and more. There's nothing better than sharing memories with the ones you love. Although I am quite taken with this new gadget, I will continue to print pictures and add them to the family albums. I will continue to print extra copies and place them in bowls on coffee tables. In Mary Emmerling's book Quick Decorating there's a lovely blue and white bowl brimming with photographs. The caption says, " Instead of storing pictures away in boxes or albums, why not keep them out in a bowl for browsing?" I took her advice a few years ago and have witnessed kids and grandkids leafing through pictures in my open containers. It does my heart good to see that young and old appreciate family memories and ties.

Honoring Andrew Wyeth

For close to four decades I have admired his art. In 1970 I was a first year teacher. There was a Weekly Reader (remember those?) article about the artist Andrew Wyeth. From that time on I introduced many classes to the beauty of his art. I have three reproduction prints that mean a lot to me - Study for April Wind, Day of the Fair, and Torn Curtain. I never threw away that WR article. Packrat that I am, I love to save what touches me in a meaningful way. Andrew Wyeth's art touched me then and continues to touch me. His death on Friday was very sad news.

Fondness for Birds

These two keep each other company on an end table in the living room.

This birdhouse is also in the living room.

This green pair is in the guest bedroom on the dresser.

I change what sits on the gold trunk in the den quite often. . . for now the wooden box with a birdnest and tiny bird on top.

This arrangement under the cloche has three items that are special to me. . . there's a picture of the place where my husband and I met . . . there's a tiny church like the one where we married . . . and the frame ( with a bird on top) has this poem

And in his heart

My heart is locked,

And in his life,

My life.

-Christina Rossetti

This last picture shows one of my favorites . . . a small iron bird. I moved the grayish urn from the living room to this counter in the bath. I never tire of those golden eggs in that ornament nest.

Because of the cold temperatures, I'm staying in our nest, that wonderful place called home.

Letters and Words

I use this old comb and brush holder to hold a wooden calendar.

I like to find old printing letters when I go antiquing.

On the back of this homemade sign is written E J R 1976.

The letter S for Sandy, my nickname. I never liked my given name Sandra Mae.

Hi! Letters and words make me look twice when I'm browsing for small treasures. . . could it be because I was a teacher for many years. . . or because I have been a journal writer since junior high. I think I had an early dream about becoming a writer. However, I realized long ago that my vocabulary was never going to be large enough and that it is hard to put thoughts onto paper. Thanks for reading my thoughts on this blog. I hope I make sense most of the time.

Sandy

Collage Fun

I was visiting Misty Mawn's blog and read her directions for "no thinking" collage art. Years ago in college I did this exercise in an art class for teachers. In fact, I still have that first collage . . . stored away with other mementoes of the past. Well, it was fun to once again tear, cut, and glue. Art is refreshing. Take a look at Misty's art and photography, and you will be truly inspired.

beautiful thoughts

I believe in the sun,

even when it is not shining;

I believe in love,

even when I feel it not;

I believe in God,

even when He is silent.

-Words found written

on the wall of a cellar

in Germany after World War II

My Form of Relaxation

With the weather being cold and rainy, I decided to stay inside and not think of all the missed bargains and treasures. Instead I created two new tag sets. Cutting, pasting, and stamping . . . enjoying the solitary pleasure of creating . . . relaxing in my crafting nook.

Church Pew

With some pieces

of furniture you

always wonder

about their past.

Who carved

initials in the

old school desk?

Who sat and

daydreamed

about love,

the future, etc. ?

The same is true

about church

pews . . . who

sat upon this

bench once

upon a time. . .

what church?

what town?

what years?

This particular pew was cut down from a longer pew. If I had the space I would have more than one. Church pews have always held a fascination for me. I still remember a couple that got away because I didn't have the funds or means to transport them. One I spied in Louisiana on a vacation trip. Oh, I wanted it so bad because it had a metal number on the pew's side. It seemed shrouded in history. Strange how I can still see that pew and recall the intense longing associated with it. It's a mystery to me why some pieces grab at your heartstrings and won't let go.

Comfort Colors

Our living room is one of my favorite places to sit and do nothing. . . to just be with my thoughts. . . or maybe read a good book or flip through a decorating book or magazine. Besides the large window that lets in plenty of light, it is the area rug that adds another layer of comfort. It has the colors that are nearest and dearest to my heart. . . gold, rust, and greens.

Organizing

I felt like doing some January organizing at my desk, art table, and crafts bookcase. . . receipts, cards, magazine clippings, art supplies, etc. Since it was a bleak and rainy day, it was a perfect opportunity to get all that stuff in better order. Maybe soon I'll be inspired to create something new. The collage above was done last year and reminds me that spring will come again.

lost days

Thank goodness, I had the Christmas tree and holiday decorations stored before the flu bug hit. It has been a miserable few days, but this morning I feel my strength returning. Health is such a glorious blessing. Hope you have a good start to your week.

New Year Greeting

Hello! Facing 2009 by showing my face . . . that's me in the arts/crafts corner of my clothes closet.

I am nearing the completion of New Year's job I dread. . . ornaments are back in boxes and tree is almost ready for dismantling. Next year I may consider leaving off the ornaments and enjoying sparkling lights on a plain green tree. Hope you have had a pleasant first day to 2009.