Familiar Territory

One reason I haven't been blogging is because I'm tired of my own familiar thoughts, decorating, and surroundings. Although I love my home spaces, I get bored with them from time to time. I long for something different. However, at this point in my life there's no way to update or refresh completely. Thus, I switch objects and decorations around and just play with what I have. 

 I wonder if Aunt Geneva and Uncle Jim would be pleased with the way their house is now. 


Sometimes I wish I had taken before and after pictures of the rooms.














I have gotten a few ministry cards ready as well as an inscription.

Next is a picture of Ms. Oma Jean. Lovely at 92, she was the first "Miss Millington" as a young woman. She spoke about a modeling course, the fashion trends in the fifties and sixties, her fashion shop business, and today's casual styles.

Plants on the front porch and in the garden are getting my attention. Also the birds that frequent our yard. May is showtime for irises. These are three of my favorites this spring.

Books also vie for my attention. Here are two recent selections.

Before I close this post, I wanted to show a small temporary change on my kitchen windowsill. 

Here's to a new week and new possibilities.

Joys

Three sweet boys

A piece of pottery for a few quarters

 One more candle votive for the mantel...love how they look 

in the evening 

Smearing paint around on a journal page

Getting a ministry card ready to mail 

Flowers making their return

Time Gets Away

A few pictures that I'll explain as I go...

 I opened up a trunk a few weeks ago and rediscovered treasures I had stored.

The small Lane chest with hearts on top was a Mother's Day gift I once ordered and gave to my mother. After some deliberation I made the decision to put it in my booth. As I keep reminding myself, one cannot keep everything from the past.

 Made several cards this week and mailed them yesterday.

For some reason I am drawn to rabbits. The candle box with the rabbit on front belonged to my grandmother Clara Crum. This rabbit candleholder I passed up three different times before giving in. Happy to have it now as one of my newer treasures. One day these things will have other owners. Recycling at its best! I think that's why I like having a booth and enjoy shopping others' booths. Objects get a chance to have new homes.

These rabbits are on a top shelf in my closet. Don't look at the dust!

The figurine on the far right was one I gave to Ryan and Lauren's grandmother Xenia King. She was wonderful to watch and nurture my babies when I returned to work. After her passing that sweet little treasure came back to me.

My collection of globes has dwindled. One vintage lighted globe got broken, and another received too many dents from being dropped. 

 I still like this message from my college collage.

We're All On The Same Ball Of Dirt

It's time for the nations of the world to respect one another and protect this planet that we all share.

I saved some time tonight for blogging. Hope you didn't mind my ramblings.

Time keeps moving. 

It gets away before we can realize all our dreams and plans.

Making Time for...

***Reading  

***Flea Market  Hunting

books, rabbit candlestick, wire letter holder

***Ministry Cards

Letting paint dry on these

  mini pictures (of pink vase with flowers)

before adding messages

***Personal Art

Layering paint onto

 new small canvas

Urn was another recent flea market bargain.

***Decorating

votives in glass containers

This message was displayed in a frame on a studio wall in an Instagram photo.

I framed my own written version for my art room.  

Brief Update

• bargain hunting 

      I get so excited when I find oil paintings for just a few dollars.

• ministry cards

      Sometimes I paint on them before writing a message or verse.

• baking 

      Today I made sugar cookies to take to friends after church tomorrow.

      They invited us to their Easter lunch. Two strawberry pies will get made         

       in the morning. 

       

Happy Easter Blessings 

Odds and Ends

Closet space with inspirational treasures

This Vicki Boutin book was a Goodwill bargain.

One of her technique suggestions made use of a white crayon.

I tried it on a couple of ministry cards.

Love the greens and tans on the hallway hutch 

I have had this painted scene since a 1971 honeymoon visit to New Orleans.

A plain brown frame at Goodwill had this wonderful mat which worked great with this small oil picture.

Our cat Oreo had three sweet kittens. We finally got around to naming them.

Socks, Spice, and Midnight Blue

Spice and Socks

Midnight Blue

We're having hot weather in the nineties in West Tennessee.

But that's okay since we had a long spell of rainy days.

I love that Tennessee has four distinct seasons.
It's summertime now, but autumn is not that far away.
Take care. Each day we have is a blessing.