A LIFE LIVED FOR OTHERS IS A BUSY LIFE....

IT JUST SEEMS THAT A LIFE "LIVED FOR
OTHERS" IS A BUSY LIFE..........
SOMETIMES IT MAY BE THAT PHONE CALL
TO HELP MAKE PART OF A MEAL FOR A
FUNERAL. IT MAY BE A LADY WITH A NEW
BABY; OR SOMEONE WHO IS ILL; OR JUST
SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO KNOW YOU CARE....
DOESN'T A WARM CHERRY PIE SEEM TO
COMFORT US???
TIME OUT TO ENJOY THE SUNSHINE WITH
THOSE WE LOVE.....
"OH GRANDMA I JUST HAVE TO HAVE MY
SUNGLASSES!!"..........
I LOVE TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR OTHERS
BUT IN THE BUSYNESS OF LIFE AND WITH
MY MIND ( AGE I THINK HA) I CAN EASILY
FORGET. MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT ME
THIS SWEET LITTLE BOOK TO KEEP CARDS
AND APPOINTMENTS.....
I LOVE TO KEEP THINGS IN ORDER AS
MUCH AS I CAN. HERE IS A PAGE FROM
THE MONTH OF MAY. THE POCKET IS
TO KEEP CARDS AND NOTES.
SHE ALSO FOUND THIS NICE "CARD
MAKING SET" BECAUSE SHE KNOWS
I ENJOY IT.........WHAT A SURPRISE
THESE WERE BOTH FROM VERA BRADLEY
I WILL ENJOY PUTTING THESE TOGETHER
AND GIVING THEM TO SOMEONE........
I ORGANIZED MY OWN LITTLE "CRAFT
CARD" CORNER.......... I PUT MY PAPERS
IN THIS NICE BOX GIVEN BY MY SISTER
PHYLLIS THIS PAST CHRISTMAS.
IT ALL FITS NICELY WITH PAPERS; CARDS;
RIBBONS; AND SCISSORS........
THE SMALL BOX WITH DRAWERS FIT MY
GLUE; SPARKLING GLUES; CLEAR WORDS;
TRINKETS; AND SUCH.............
I THEN CAN PULL IT OUT EASILY AND
DO MY WORK AND THEN PUT IT BACK
IN ONE PLACE..........IN MY HUTCH

I grew up in a large family. We always seem to be busy at home doing the normal things such as going to school; keeping up with our own room; doing the dishes with my sister; working outside in our garden or helping with the trim of the lawn with our dad. We just kept busy.

My mom always seem to keep up with the house; the meals; the laundry; and doing things
with all of her children. My mom also was kind to our neighbors and all the neighbors seem to enjoy my parents. A neighbor might bring a lawnmower over to have my dad "take a look at it" and he would and usually always fixed the problem. This would happen time after time.
My dad took pride in our lawn and the flowers and garden. He worked hard at his job and our yard. The neighbors I think enjoyed all his labor.

All the young neighborhood children would seem to come to our back door. I would see my mom handing our ice cold lemonade in the summertime and bending down to button a sweater of a young child in the cool weather of the fall. Since we had 6 children and I was in the bottom two the older sisters would bring in their families during the holidays. The house was filled with laughing; food; the clatter of dishes; and the hugs and kisses goodbye.

Its not always easy to live for others. It takes time. It can take your time. It can take some of your hard earned money. It can be joyful or sometimes it can be heartbreaking. But............ life is about relationships and people. Its what makes up part of our lives. It builds us.
It makes memories sometimes we will never forget............

I am so blessed that I am loved and cared for by others around me. My son Joshua and daughter in law made a beautiful video this past week of him and her singing a beautiful song they sang in church last Sunday night. It blessed my husband and my heart......
He also surprised me with making me a new "blog header" for my blog. My husband took me to lunch; my daughter bought me these special little gifts; and my other daughter bought me my favorite "gummy bears". What else could one want or need?

I pray you find someone you can bake a pie for and be blessed................

FREE THINGS I LOVE.........

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN
DO FOR ALMOST NOTHING.......YOU CAN GO TO A PARK..
YOU CAN TAKE TIME OUT AND GO VISITING
SHOPS IN A SMALL TOWN. MAYBE TAKE
A FEW DOLLARS AND PURCHASE A SPECIALTY
COFFEE OR A SMALL TRINKET SUCH AS A
PRETTY HANKIE OR BOOK FOR A $1 OR SO...
I LOVE "FABRIC STORES"....
NOW YOU MIGHT THINK I SEW ALOT
BUT THATS NOT THE CASE. I CAN DO
MY SHARE OF MENDING OR SIMPLE
PROJECTS BUT THATS AS FAR AS I GO. I LOVE TO
TO GO THROUGH ALL THE BEAUTIFUL
COLORS AND SHADES OF FABRIC IN A STORE.
ONCE AGAIN...YOU CAN GO WITH ONLY A FEW
DOLLARS AND END UP WITH A YARD OR TWO
OF FABRIC FOR A NICE SKIRT....
I AM NOT VERY CRAFTY ..BUT I HAVE
TO SAY I LOVE MAKING CARDS TO GIVE
TO OTHERS. I DONT HAVE ALOT OF PROFESSIONAL
SCRAPBOOKING THINGS BUT I DO PURCHASE
PRETTY PAPERS FOR CENTS. SOMETIMES 3/$1.00
AND THE FUN TURNING A CARD INTO SOMETHING
SPECIAL FOR SOMEONE IS WONDERFUL!!!... YOU CAN
PURCHASE SOME PRETTY COLORED TISSUE PAPER AND
WRAP SOME HOMEMADE COOKIES AND PUT IN A LITTLE
BAG AND HAVE A SWEET TREAT TO GIVE AWAY....

LOOK AROUND AND PRAY FOR BARGINS.
LAST YEAR I FOUND TWO WHITE ROCKERS
( THESE ARE NOT THOSE) SITTING OUT NEAR
THE ROAD FOR FREE!! I TOOK THEM HOME
CLEANED THEM UP AND PUT MY OWN PILLOWS
INTO THEM AND WE LOVED THEM ALL SUMMER
LONG.......FOR FREE
I HAVE TOLD MANY TIMES OF THE BLESSINGS
OF GOING TO THE GROCERY EACH WEEK. I GO NOW EARLY IN THE AM
IF POSSIBLE AND GET MANY WONDERFUL ITEMS
MARKED DOWN GREATLY!! LOOK FOR ITEMS
SUCH AS ORGANIC THAT HAVE TO BE MARKED
DOWN EARLY. THEN LOOK FOR ITEMS ON SALE
(PURDUE CHICKEN FOR .99 LB) AND PURCHASE
THAT ; TAKE IT HOME AND MAKE A MEAL....
DONT ALWAYS LOOK WHATS ON YOUR LIST; LET
GOD HELP YOU MAKE YOUR MEALS..........
WE HAPPEN TO LIVE NEAR A BEAUTIFUL
AND CLEAN THRIFT STORE. THEY HAVE
EVEN BEGUN TO RAISE THEIR PRICES
BUT I GO WITH THINGS IN MIND I NEED.
SOMETIMES THE BEST ITEMS COME SLIGHTLY
USED.....OR THAT NICE CROCK; BOOK; OR SMALL TABLE
YOU CAN PAINT AND USE.....
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE LIBRARY. YOU CAN
CHECK OUT SOO MANY BOOKS AND EVEN
MAGAZINES FOR FREE. ALL YOU NEED IS A
LIBRARY CARD.... YOU CAN EXPLORE; LEARN;
TAKE YOUR CHILDREN; AND EVEN RENT PICTURES
TO HANG IN YOUR HOME OR RENT EDUCATIONAL
DVDS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO ENJOY.
WHAT STARTED ME THINKING ABOUT ALL
THESE "FREE" THINGS WAS WHEN I WAS
IRONING YESTERDAY. THIS WILL SOUND
CRAZY BUT AS I FILLED MY IRON OVER AND
OVER WITH WATER......AND THE STEAM
PRESSED OVER EACH GARMENT THEY BECAME
LIKE "NEW". I THOUGHT..........THIS IS ALL FREE
I CAN FILL MY IRON; STEAM MY GARMENT;
AND IT CAN TAKE ON A WHOLE NEW BEGINNING.
I COULD THROW THEM OUT BECAUSE ITS A BOTHER;
OR SEND IT TO A DRY CLEANER BUT THATS PRICY;
OR I COULD SPEND A FEW HOURS PRESSING LIFE BACK
INTO THAT FABRIC.............


JUST A FEW THOUGHTS.........OF ALL THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US FREELY.

OF COURSE, I DIDNT WANT TO FORGET THE BRIGHT BLUE SKIES; OR THE BIRDS THAT GREET US EACH MORNING ; OR THE FLOWERS AND THE GREEN; GREEN GRASS.
THE SUNSHINE THAT PIERCES INTO OUR WINDOWS EARLY IN THE DAY; AND THE MOON THAT SHINES OVER US AT NIGHT.

ALL FOR US TO ENJOY..........I AM SO THANKFUL FOR "HAVING SO MUCH"

WHAT DO YOU FIND FOR "FREE"?...............

SPRINGTIME MONDAY

THIS IS FROM MY TREE OUT MY PICTURE
WINDOW. WHEN I SIT ON MY FRONT PORCH
I CAN SMELL THE SWEET SWEET BLOSSOMS....
I PICKED UP THIS LITTLE BOOK FOR $1.00
AT THE THRIFT STORE...IT HAS PLACES FOR
LISTS; PLANNING; AND POCKETS TO KEEP
ALL THOSE REMINDERS FOR GARDENS THINGS
ECT...... I JUST LOVE THIS LITTLE BLESSING.
HERE IS A PORTION OF THE BOOK........
I ALSO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME
NEW "HEALTHY RECIPES" FOR MY HUBBY
AND I. I AM FUNNY I GUESS. I WANT THE
HEALTHY LOW FAT MEAL TO LOOK GREAT
AND TASTE DELICIOUS........IT REALLY HELPS
TO STAY WITH THE EATING PLAN FOR ME...
HERE IS A "CHICKEN TORTILLAS" WITH MANGO
SALSA..........OH MY WAS THIS DELICIOUS
I PUT IT ON MY KEEPER LIST...............
I MADE A MEAL FOR A WONDERFUL LADY
AT MY CHURCH GOING THROUGH "CANCER
TREATMENTS"......HILLBILLY SPAGHETTI PIE;
GARLIC BREAD STICKS; A TREAT; AND
"CHERRY CRUMBLE PIE".....
IT SMELLED SOOO GOOD BAKING...BUT
I HAD MY 1/2 CUP CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
LATER FOR MY DESSERT.....
IS THERE ANYTHING SO PRECIOUS AS A
CHILD AND THE SWEET SWEET MOMENTS
THEY SHOW US..................
I LOVED PICKING THE "FLOWERS" GRANDMA!!
THANK YOU I LOVE THEM!!!!


I pray you are having a wonderful Monday......

Its a warm and windy day here and I love the breezes blowing through the curtains making them flow in the air so daintily....

My husband and I were up early having "coffee" on our back porch when all of a sudden a HUGE Blue Heron flew almost into our yard. My mouth dropped open as I saw how BIG this creature was and its stature of robin blue wings. My husband was just as excited and I felt very loved ; by God; and by him enjoying my silly admiration for this Bird! He then pointed out
two more Herons that had landed by the pond.....I couldn't contain my excitement.....

Later; after he left for work I went to my Bible and thought: Lord I want to be excited for all you give me. I want to be thankful for daily things. I want to be thankful for your beauty and even for things that are not so beautiful. I thank Him for showing me how He can take anyone or anything and make it BEAUTIFUL in His time....................

SPRINGTIME THIS AND THAT...........

WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING A FEW WARM
DAYS AROUND HERE AND I MADE SOME
DELICIOUS ICE COLD "SWEET TEA" TO
HAVE ON HAND.....
MY DAUGHTER IN LAW LOVES "SWEET TEA"
AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS WAS A DELICIOUS
AND FUN BEVERAGE TO HAVE AROUND. I HAD
TO SUBSTITUTE "SPLENDA" FOR THE SUGAR
BUT I COULDNT TELL ANY DIFFERENCE.


MY MARRIED DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER
AND I TOOK A WALK TO THE PARK .....
WHAT FUN WE HAD EVEN WITH OUR "DOG"
IN TOTE.
THERE ARE SO MANY FUN THINGS TO DO
AT THE PARK............I CANT DECIDE....
DO YOU LIKE MY SHOES??? THEY "SQUEEK"
WHEN I WALK............THAT WAY MY MOMMY
KNOWS WHERE I AM.....


I pray you are enjoying the "Springtime" that God has given this year. I have been taking the opportunity of the warm weather and working in our "flower beds. Pulling weeds; raking; trimming all take time but the result looks so nice.

After a hard days work in the yard I enjoyed sitting on my "front porch" rockers and having a ice cold glass of "sweet tea". I usually make normal iced tea but this year I found the recipe for "sweet tea" and its so much better and refreshing.

With the warm weather about of course I couldnt resist taking a walk with my granddaughter. She loves the outdoors and her little hand points to every little bird along the way. We had so much fun exploring the park and its playyard. A few years ago I might have driven by a small park like that one many times but NOW its different. It has become a "special place" to make memories with this little precious one I love......

Springtime is now bursting forth in all its glory. Pink dogwood trees; bright yellow finches in the trees; tall Blue Herons sit upon the ponds; green green grasses with the sounds of lawn mowers fill the air; and people that come out of their warm little houses of winter now come out and wave as they walk by or drive by. Its Springtime and I love it! God has given so much in his abundance and for that I am thankful.....

GIVEN WITH LOVE.......A PICK OF POSEYS

GIVEN WITH LOVE.........A PICK OF POSEYS.....


As the warm days of Spring come along; I notice patches of ground covered in small blue flowers............

I love to see these beautiful little flowers flourish everywhere on their own... No one has planted them; they are a present sent by God for anyone to enjoy!!

I remember as a young girl going out to a wooded area and finding these "little violets" and picking each one and gathering them in my hand so tightly; then running toward the house with my heart as full as it could be; reaping with love to be given to my mother.

I would then take them (usually hidden behind my back) and 'SURPRISE' I would say to my mom ; these are for you!! She would take them so proudly and gather the bunch up to her nose and say" Oh these are beautiful and they smell so nice"......and then again my heart would fill with joy of giving love and receiving her admiration.

She would then take them in the house and put them in a nice "juice glass" filled with water and sit them proudly on her windowsill in the kitchen window. I would pass by that window throughout my day and look at those "little blue flowers" given with love and once again feel the love.

Is that how are heavenly Father feels as He strives to give us His love and gifts everyday?

He loves us so much that He wants only the best for us. We may think He has forgotten about us but He is there and waiting to hear from us.

Sometimes we may give a gift of love to someone else in the form of a good meal; a clean home; working hard on a project; praying for someone...........It is given in LOVE and OHHH the blessings we receive as we see that person smile or laugh or enjoy what was given.

This Spring stop and look at the "poseys" and remember someone loves you!

SPRINGTIME FUN ON THE FRONT PORCH

THIS PAST WEEKEND THE TEMPERATURES
HERE GOT UP TO A BALMY 70 DEGREES...
THATS ARE WARMEST DAY YET. BUT TODAY
ITS BACK TO COLD AND MAYBE EVEN SOME
SNOW..... BUT IT WAS TIME TO "SPRING DRESS"
THE FRONT PORCH.
I LOVE HEARING THE SOUNDS OF THE
BIRDS ....JUST LISTENING BRINGS JOY
TO MY SOUL....
IN THE EVENINGS....I ENJOY LIGHTING MY
LITTLE LANTERN FOR A COZY TIME TO
SIT AND LISTEN TO THE CRICKETS.....
I PULLED MY "NEW PAINTED RED CHAIR"
OUT ON MY PORCH. I AM LOOKING FOR
A SMALL SIGN TO HANG ABOVE IT FOR
THE SUMMER AND WILL PLANT "RED
GERANIUMS" IN MY PLANTER....
I FOUND THESE PILLOWS FOR $1 EACH LAST
WEEK. THEY FIT MY RED AND WHITE THEME.
MY GRANDDAUGHTER HELPED HER GRANDMA
WITH SWEEPING UP THE LEAVES; AND PUTTING
THEM IN A BIG BASKET.....
OH MY........WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THESE
LITTLE ROCKS???
I LOVE THESE GARDEN GLOVES BUT THEY
SEEM A LITTLE LARGE???


I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We were taking advantage of the warm day and mowed the lawn; raked out odds and ends; cleaned and tided the garage; picked up all the sticks and branches; and then enjoyed sitting on the front porch just talking and watching
our granddaughter.

I love to clean and rid out and make things fresh and ready for Spring. On the way to church Sunday morning I was sooo excited because I saw not one but TWO BLUE HERONS! In case, you dont understand this you have to know that I love seeing Blue Herons. This is one of the signs that tells me God Loves Me! In fact, my son Joshua helped start this blog for me and put a Blue Heron sign on my picture for my blog; knowing that was a sign telling me of Gods love.

I call my site; " A few of my favorite things"..... I have many things that bring joy into my life. Silly things sometimes like; an "Old wooden chair" beside the road. I just love to pick it up; paint it and use it somewhere in my home. I also enjoy; old l950's childrens books or old books that have meaning. I enjoy many vintage items; aprons; old crocks (the kind you can mix your muffins in or make a beautiful dish full of mashed potatoes. I enjoy birds; nature; babies and children. I enjoy the colors of barn red; mustard yellow; lime greens; robin egg blues; pinks; and soft browns. I enjoy old buildings and the character and history behind them. I love simple white steeples against the blue skies. I enjoy old hymns and singing them in my church. I enjoy the sound of crickets in the evening and watching fireflies dotting the dark sky.....
I enjoy my family and each one of their ways they love. I enjoy sitting with my husband on my
front porch just "being" and enjoy each others company and the outside.......


There are so many things for us to enjoy in this life ...we just need to look for them.

I pray you have a wonderful week enjoying your favorite things in your life.

GOOD MORNINGS AND KITCHEN STUFF......

I , like my mother seem to spend most of
my time at home in the kitchen....Beginning
in the early mornings ; putting on the coffee;
taking out items to prepare breakfast; cleaning
up; wiping down and having the kitchen ready
for the next meal.
I have been trying to stay on a "healthy eating
plan and have discovered a delicious new way
to have my oatmeal......
My daughter purchased these "berries" at
Walmart to make her "Trifle" for Easter.
I added some to my oatmeal along with a couple
sprinkles of almonds and a dab of healthy butter
and what a difference it made. And she got them
for $2 on sale. They hold alot of berries!!

The day before Easter I had made some of
my "mamas fold over cookies dough" and put it
aside in the refrigerator. I decided not to use it
that day but thought I would take it out and make
up some nice plain cookies to be decorated later.
I could put these up in my freezer to use for "others"
as needed this month. I am so glad God can use
something as simple as "flour; sugar; butter; and
vanilla" to bless someone else's life.

I just picked out a "glass" ( isnt that the best
way ?) with a shape I liked and cut out my
cookies......
Finally, they were done and ready to be iced.
I think I will use "a pretty bright pink and lime
greens" in Royal Icing to finish. They dont
look like much now but after they are covered
with the finishing touch they will be ready to go.




Good morning, good morning,
We've talked the whole night through,
Good morning, good morning to you.
Good morning, good morning,
It's great to stay up late,
Good morning, good morning, to you.'

LAUNDRY DAY..............WASH; DRY AND IRON

IRONING DAY..................
I LOVE WHEN CLOTHES DRY IN THE WIND
ON A CLOTHESLINE.......


I have spent most of my day working on laundry and ironing. I know in this day and age the work of ironing is becoming obsolete.

But....because life has been busier lately I felt I had gotten behind on this task. I know ;...you can take things out of the dryer and most of the newer fabrics you can shake and hang up ready to go. Then of course you can send your things out to the dry cleaner. When my husband wore dress shirts everyday he preferred a nice light starch that the dry cleaners could give so of course I had them sent out.

But.........with trying to save our pennies today I try and do the task of all of the ironing.
I just love when a garment ; especially cotton is pressed smooth and fresh . I love hanging it
up on a hanger all ready for whatever needed. I iron my husbands shirts; casual pants; my tops and skirts; and my pillowcases ( love the way they feel and smell). If I need to I might press
a tablecloth or linens for special occasions.

My son and daughters all learned to iron when they were younger thus made sure the garments they were wearing were pressed and neat.

Ironing doesn't have to be a drudgery if you keep up with it; maybe use a pretty lilac linen spray; or enlist the help of your family. Set a day or time when you can easily get to the task at hand. Even the oldest garment can look fresh and NEW when you take time to press some life back into it!