Winter Blues

Earlier this week, I read the best article while waiting in my dentist office.  I think it was in Goodhousekeeping.  The title was "How to Fight the Winter Blues".  I don't know about you, but I needed those words of wisdom.  One suggestion that stood out in my mind was before you turn out your lights each night,  write down something that you're grateful for from that day. 

 

I really like that idea and it's been so easy!  The first day I wrote down a funny phone conversation I had with a friend that day.  Last night it was that sweetly snoring corgi angel on the foot of my bed.  Tonight it will be the beautiful snow we had last night.  My backyard looks like the pictures in my header. 

 

 

I'm Looking For More Rabbits!

We're getting closer to spring and Easter and I'm hoping to find more of these old world rabbits. I found these two at different thrift stores about a year ago.   A friend  recently told me that they originally came from Big Lots!  Each one is about 17 inches tall and is ceramic.    Fitz and Floyd has a collection that is called "Old World Rabbits" that are similar.

I'd love to find the lady rabbit that was sold with these.

Hoping to have 3 rabbits!

My Quilt of Many Colors

When I was in high school, my home economics class made shirtwaist dresses that were so popular in the 60's.   Several of my friends from the sewing class contributed scraps from their dresses for this quilt that my mother was making me.  Today I love looking at the quilt and remembering each classmate and their dresses.  I didn't realize at the time what sentimental value this piece would have!

Get well wishes to my beautiful friend who had triple bypass surgery last week.  Several of the fabric squares are from her dresses.  It's been a little over a month ago since we shared lunch at the Blue Willow Tea Room. I can't wait to see her again and give her a very gentle hug!

Brown Bag Cookie Molds

Brown Bag Cookie Molds were first produced by Lucy Natkiel in her basement workshop in 1983.  Over 300 different ceramic molds were made before they were all retired in 2005.  Today they are highly collectible.

I got my Halloween cookie molds out today.  I love the cat!  I'd like to find one more Halloween mold.

                  

Please Help!

I am reposting this from  Annesphamily blog.  This is such a great way to help!  

Please help out.

Box top drive to rebuild our schools!!!

Location: Nationwide for Minot ND All you have to do is MAIL THEM!! 15 Vista Dr. Minot, ND 58703

Minot has had six schools destroyed by flooding. This is the simplest and easiest way to help out. Thank you for sharing with everyone you know.

Whimsical Birdhouses

A retired gentleman near where I used to work loves to build birdhouses and his yard is so interesting with all his brightly colored houses.

He calls this his "totem pole" house.

This one is very creative!

I love this church!

This is my favorite!  It's a combination of birdhouses and flower planters.



Celebration!

Today I treated my friend who is retiring next week to lunch at our favorite tearoom.  We were celebrating her retirement and the one year anniversary of my retirement.   We were like two little girls, laughing and excitedly planning all the fun things we want to do in the future.  Sharing each new chapter of your life with good friends is such a blessing!

Celebrate the First Day of Summer!

It's Been A Wonderful Day!

Today I hosted with my daughter and her neighbor, a farewell party for friends who are moving at the end of the summer.

I tried the Fresh Strawberry Punch recipe and it was a delicious and everyone loved it.  I don't think I've told you before but I'm pretty well known around these parts for my Cold Oven Pound Cake (I'll post that recipe one day.)  We enjoyed pound cake with the punch, homemade chicken salad, ham biscuits, lemon bars, a fresh vegetable tray and an assortment of fresh fruit.  I used some of my favorite dishes and the table setting turned out so pretty! 

The couple we were honoring received some fantastic gifts and gift cards!  I made her a button bracelet and gave him a corgi mug with a tri-colored face on one side and a corgi butt on the other.  They have two adorable corgis, Abby and Piper.

We sure will miss  them but they'll only be about two hours away.  For me that's a nice day trip and an opportunity to shop some "junk stores" along the way.

Happy Birthday to My Wonderful Friend!

At least 25 years ago we became friends at a part time job  we shared.  We were about the same age, our children were the same age and we had so much  in common.   The years have gone by and our children are grown.  We're both grandmothers now and she's about to retire this summer.  I can see lots of adventures in our futures.  She and I enjoy taking overnight trips and stopping at every thrift store and antique shop on the way.  What a blessing to share your life journey with wonderful friends.

Vintage Handkerchiefs

click to enlarge

I've accumulated a number of vintage handkerchiefs over the years and I had not found a good way to display them.  Yesterday I made this paper coronets and stuffed them in the top.  The beautiful edges of the handkerchiefs show up perfectly.  I got a little carried away and made three of them. 

This one looks great hanging on my china cabinet door.

I'm beginning to see why I don't get any housework done.  I'm too busy with my fun projects. 

OWN

Has anyone else been watching Oprah's new network?  Yesterday I was a little under the weather so I decided to watch TV instead of putting my Christmas decorations away.  I was impressed.  There seems to be an abundance of commercials, but no more than the other channels.  I think it is going to be a welcome change from regular daytime TV.  It will be interesting to see  what new shows she will add.

Happy New Year!

Have you ever seen such big ears on such a little puppy?

We're wishing you a wonderful year of health and happiness!   Have a great weekend!

Love This Sign!

My daughter found this sign at a recent bizarre and gave it to me for Christmas!  She knows  I love sitting on my front porch in the summertime and it is going to look great hanging over my wicker chaise.  Now that the holidays are over, I'm looking forward to spring flowers, warm days and visits on the porch.  I wish you all could join me for a glass of iced tea.  Wouldn't that be fun?

Black Friday

I almost missed posting today but had to tell you about my trip to Williamsburg to  shop with my two daughters.  We had a wonderful time inspite of the horrendous crowds.  We waited in line quite a while at the Coach outlet and finally got in.  Being used to making my own purses, I was somewhat surprised at the prices even at the outlet store.  The purses were very pretty and my girls each got one.  We all  had a 20 per cent off coupon but I just couldn't justify buying a Coach purse to wear with my jeans or my pajamas.

Things I'm Thankful For Today

                               

Among the  things I'm thankful for today, are the many new friends I've made since I started writing my blog.  I love hearing from my new friend in West Virginia, Angela.  She has the most beautiful blog, West Viriginia Treasures.   I can't forget, Laura, at Wildenblue Farm Journal, who was so patient with me and helped me set up my blog.  I've even made some international friends.  I can't mention them all in one post, but it's amazing how many nice people cross your path, especially when the word corgi enters the conversation, or you mention minatures or gardens.

Then there's my dear friends who don't have blogs but just support me in this endeavor because they are dear friends.  Thank you! 

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

VETERANS' DAY

Let us all remember today, the men and women all over the world who have fought for their country and what they believe.   We must never take our freedom for granted and and think about what a sacrifice our veterans have made for us.

If a military family passes by your window of life today, take a minute to say "thank you".

My Friend's Beautiful Bathroom

I visited a friend yesterday and wanted to share pictures of her beautiful black and white bathroom.

Her Halloween decorations make it especially interesting this month.   One wall is painted black so the giant spider and the witches hat on the clawfoot tub don't show up really well in this picture.

Old Friends Are Gold

A few weeks back, I spent the day with my high school friend (we met 47 years ago in the 8th grade).  Old friends are just so special!  They know things about you that not even your family knows.  Things like first boyfriends, favorite and not so favorite teachers, sad and happy teenage experiences.
 

We were shopping when my friend came across this bunny tassel and decided it would be great hanging on my china cabinet.  She bought it for me and I hung it when I got home.  I love it, but most of all I love that everytime I look at it I have  memories of the day we spent together recently.  We had so much fun, we're definitely going to get together more often.

Another Neck Tie Purse

I collect ties for my friend in NC who makes purses out of them.  I recently found the tie in the middle with the mother panda bear and her babies and mailed it to her.  I asked her to please send pictures when she used it in a purse.  That was a mistake!  I had to have it!  She did such a good job of coordinating the colors.  Consequently, the panda bear tie came back through the mail in the form of a new purse.  Now that I'm retired, I don't know where I will be going to use it, but I just love looking at it.  This lady has so much talent!





This is the back with a nice size pocket made from the small ends of the ties.