Another month slips away...

I started to put this cup and saucer in the booth to sell but changed my mind. For now it sits on my desk, and I smile when I see it. The chip doesn't bother me... it actually endears the piece to me. Old, tattered, chipped, frayed...I find such things appealing. Of course, I wouldn't want everything in my house to be that way. I am still searching for the right pillows(that I can afford) to accent our den couch. I have high hopes that fall will bring new inspiration for decorating.

Cool Morning

Felt great to be outside this morning. Because it has been so hot and dry, leaves have already started to fall. Hopefully more birds will return to our yard. We kept seed and water out for them during the awful weeks of extreme heat, but they sought cooler places. I noticed my garden rabbits need a fresh coat of white. And with my camera I noticed some beautiful insect wings.

Coffee Cake Comfort

I am delighted when recipes turn out right. This coffee cake recipe appeared in the April 2004 Better Homes and Gardens magazine. A woman named Ellen Rose shared a few of her favorite cake recipes. I clipped the article and have used her Best Coffee Cake recipe a few times. www.bhg.com/cakes Picture me later in the living room chair reading and enjoying a cup of coffee with a slice of cake. Wish you were here.

Word Power

I think I may have shared some of these quotations before... maybe you won't mind seeing them again. I never seem to tire of them. I plant quotes in my surroundings for encouragement and inspiration.

et cetera

These two bears sit in the windowsill of my mom's room.

She won them at Bingo.

I told her they represent her and me. She has had a good week.

This is a work in progress at the school where I used to teach. Gee, after I retire the school gets an art teacher and now has beautiful murals inside and out.

These are staples around our house, especially when the grandkids are here.

This light gives off a nice glow near my writing desk.


This is my latest journal that I came across at Big Lots.

Older journals inside my desk

I am loving my desk!

Thanks for dropping by. It seems life is a big ETC these days...so much I want to do but lots of obligations and errands take precedence. Just the same I'm counting my blessings and praying for a special friend this week. May the doctors find answers to her health problem.

Gardening Journals

GARDEN JOURNAL

for

2010

A Weekend Hello

It's late afternoon and still extremely hot. Housecleaning chores, errands, a visit with Mom, and a stop by the antique store filled up my day. The heat has wilted me, and I'm very thankful for air conditioning, delicious water, and iced tea. Enjoy the rest of the weekend...may hope, faith, love, and luck be yours. Take care! Sandy

My Love of Baskets

This heart basket hides an old thermostat.

This basket belonged to my daddy's oldest sister.
She wrote her name and town on the bottom of it.

Baskets can hold all sorts of things making them very handy.

These extra picnic baskets and other baskets are stacked in a corner of the utility room.

Toy baskets

I have many more baskets. Some I just display while others are used as storage containers for holiday items, toy blocks, magazines, etc. I have placed several in my store booth hoping to thin out this particular collection.

When I first started thinking of a post for today I was going to do a Three Word Thursday... Basking in Baskets. I really do like many kinds of baskets...painted, plain, small, or large. These ten provide a brief, quick view of my love of baskets.

Are you a basket lover, too?

From France With Love

Daughter Lauren recently spent a week in Paris, France. She was there on a business trip but stayed two extra days for pleasure. She loved the slower pace of the French people, the beauty of the architecture, the art museums, and more. She took lots of pictures and posted an album on Facebook. I have to pinch myself to believe that my grownup little girl traveled to France on her own and toured the city. She remembered to send her grandmother a postcard, and it is proudly displayed on her bedside table at the nursing home. Lauren brought me these espresso coffee cups that were packaged in a pretty tin. She hit upon two of my favorite things - tins and cups and saucers. Thank you, Lauren, for being such a wonderful daughter and thoughtful person. I could brag on you even more but will restrain myself.

Visitors

These visitors were in our backyard on Saturday.

On Sunday our small church was overflowing with visitors. It was homecoming, and our guest speaker was Rev. Maxie Dunnam. I was thankful to be sitting by an air conditioner vent. The hymns, message, and fellowship were wonderful. Lunch was served in the community center across the road from the church. There were long tables laden with all sorts of tasty dishes and mouthwatering desserts. Therefore, today it was back to exercising and watching portions.

A Lovely Place To Shop

Located in Halls, TN

Lots of objects with birds or roosters



These two pieces were lovely together.



Thin pale gold sheets of foil accented these bird prints sandwiched between glass.
They really were striking.


more browsing in the antique mall

Just Divine Tea Room

"The best antiques are old friends."

Hope the birthday gals enjoy their tag sets.

http://www.charlenes.net/