WELCOME FALL...............

                                                         

Welcome..........Starting again with my blog....a little time off ......but I will begin again .
   I hope to bring encouragement to those who read or use this blog for ideas on meals; your home or everyday life....
   Its the start of Fall season here and I cannot help but LOVE the beginning of a new season.
   I love traditions.. Some old. Some new. Frankly as we grow....life changes and we need to add
   add "new " traditions as well as the old.
   I also realize FALL isnt the same all over the country. For me the leaves change colors...the temperature begins to cool... the birds and ducks begin their journeys down south......
   But the many...the climate stays the same but FALL is still in the air....

   Some of the things we have enjoyed is decorating for Fall.
You can use just a few items to make a room ready for FALL. I love BERRIES and bittersweet on wreaths or stuck around any item in the room. I bring in pretty throws * I find at thrift stores ....in warm colors. I change a few pillows around to sing Fall is here.....
I add candles or use tarts of Fall aromas to fill the house...
 I even bring up a pretty chair * had for years I bought for a few dollars that is just for the season...
  I may add a few inexpensive hand towels in the bathroom and even a wax plug in and some nice smelling hand soap * $1 at the dollar store.
  I have wreaths on my door all year...so I may use the same one... add something to make it match the season...
  I also add mums for color on my front porch.....
  Decorating is celebrating....and enjoying the beauty of the seasons!

I  love Twinkle lights.....

You can use an old pillow and cover it in a pretty Fall fabric....

A simple mum and pumpkin 

WHO'S MINDING MY NEST?

WHO'S MINDING MY NEST???

MY NEST.....

My hubby and I love watching birds.........in fact, about a month ago (when I was visiting with
my sister) I kept my eye on her little wooden bluebird house out in her yard. We were praying
for a new little family to come and make it their home for the summer.......this past week those little bluebirds came to my mind..........

This past week I had several things that kept me on the go.........I was home; gone again; home; gone again; and home for a short time again..........Sometimes we just cannot be aroundour homes all day long and life calls for us to care for many things.........But.........at the end of my week I looked down in my laundryroom and thought to myself..........looks like I need to some extra effort in my ironing pile and that evening I did........ It frustrated me to have to do "pressing" late in the evening. My physical body did it but my heart wasnt..........

.But then I thought " Who's minding this nest?".............

It wasnt others fault I was having extra things to do all week. In fact, it was the time I was allotted in life to use as I saw fit. I just needed to STOP and think about my schedule and time

. Our pastor just taught on Time Management.I pulled out the paper I had written my notes on and reviewed.Time is a Matter of Pursuit. - God is my pursuit. Give Him my time. He will extend your time.

Time is a Matter of Purpose. - What is it that you want to accomplish in your lifeWhat is your Focus - My God; my husband; my family Dont allow anything to take you away from that focus - phone ; TV; too much chatting

Does what I am doing help me toward my purpose in life?- Negative things

What can I do that no one else can do?- for my husband; my children; those in my path

What can you do that you can train someone else to do?- need help; train someone 


I tried this and it was very helpful.
I put things that were a matter of purpose first. I tried to keep focused on what each day brought........

. This is a formula that I will keep working on day by dayAs I was watching the little bluebirds come back and forth to build their nest; I waited in anticipation for them to settle and live in the "wooden feeder" but they were gone too many times and you know what? ............another bird came in to live and the "little bluebird" never came back.........They lost it! I want to remember who's minding my nest?

TALKING WITH MY FRIEND....

  I remember a few years ago....i loved going to a friends front porch. She had a swing and a couple of old chairs sitting on her white screened in front porch. Upon arrival I was always greeted like she was glad I came and she would go into her kitchen and return to the porch with ice cold lemonade. We would chat, laugh, and visit about our lives..  I loved our time together and always felt good when I left with a happy outlook on life. My friend has since moved from that old house but when I drive near it somedays ...I remember!   Now a days my best friend can sit with me anywhere...anytime! I love to chat with Him about anything...I love that He is always there ready to listen. He even sends me notes and things to encourage me along life's way.  
Im thankful for friends God sends my way but truly more thankful for His Love and friendship everyday!

JUST AN ORDINARY LADY WITH AN EXTRA ORDINARY LIFE.....

AN ORDINARY LADY WITH AN EXTRA ORDINARY LIFE

I M JUST AN ORDINARY LADY WITH AN EXTRA ORDINARY LIFE

IM AN ORDINARY LADY LIVING AN EXTRA ORDINARY LIFE.....

   Have you ever thought of your life as just plain Ordinary? I can remember going tot the salon to get my haircut many times.... and as the lady would begin to wash; cut and style my hair she might begin some "small talk" as they say.... such as "So are you getting ready to go on vacation?"; "Whats your week like?"or you going out to dinner later ? and on and on......Soon I got quiet and began to hear other ladies in the chairs that were getting their hair done. Some said..."Oh we are leaving soon for a cruise". another might say..." Oh we are getting ready to host a huge party"...maybe another getting ready for a big event....

  I just sat there...not wanting to say:.......Well ...um ....I am going to go home and fix supper for my family; or Im going to go work in the garden tonight. or I just came from cleaning the house and doing the laundry......no big vacation; no parties...just ORDINARY LIFE.....I was just enjoying getting my hair done!
 But in the midst of all this.......I have to admit..... there were times when I would Try and think of something exciting just to tell them so I could be a part of what I thought was .......this exciting and...wonderful LIFE!

  Frankly , I had gone to the salon to get a nice cut and style that I could work with for everyday.........I really have to laugh now thinking of how very foolish I was.....Now adays when I go to a salon....or even get my nails done I chat abit to be nice but I tell them I am going to just relax and enjoy this time...and they let you do just that ...and it becomes a spa moment for me....to enjoy!

  I LOVE that God has given me this ordinary  life to enjoy....and I mean enjoy!....Yes I have gotten to go some really nice places through the years and have enjoyed nice things to eat and see ...... but its theORDINARY....DAYS...   I love most!

  Its waking up....enjoying coffee with my husband. Reading my Bible in my chair and having God show me He loves me....
  Its making a Breakfast of oatmeal or egg omelet and toast for my husband each morning...Ordinary? Maybe but I enjoy it.

I enjoy my grown children and cherish the times when they were young but look at them now and stand proud and even learn new things from them......
I enjoy our grandbabies so much...more than I could ever know...They bring JOY to my husband and I and its so fun to see how they grow and we enjoy being grandparents and giving them M and M's!

  Its keeping my home....clean; ; fresh; well decorated.....I love a small garden to tend and enjoying its benefits in the summertime....I enjoy flowers in my flowerbeds or pots . I enjoy my bird feeders and watching Gods nature quietly feeding outside my window.........Ordinary.Things...Yes...and .....hard work? Yes but I enjoy keeping it. Its my job and I like to do my best at it. Then when its done there is such a satisfaction.

  To think this is a Nothing Job comes from someone who maybe doesnt know how hard it is to keep up with a home or business.. ..I have worked at home and beside my husband in our business and in other small areas.of business. and even though those were good times...they were abit hard because my heart loved being at home.........

   I enjoy planning meals; cooking and baking...I really do...and enjoy making meals to share with others as well.

  This ORDINARY LIFE.....  is not really ORDINARY> at all...in fact...ItsEXTRA ORDINARY..

    Because God has planned it................I cannot believe the people that come through our front door or stop by....and meals shared......I cannot believe how our family is used to maybe encourage someone..or how many wonderful things I have been able to cherish.....God seems to use what you enjoy and what your good at not what you think you need to do....
    I have a busy life filled to the brim and overflowing ....but take I take the  the times to BE QUIET....and enjoy my front porch; or rock a grandbaby; or have coffee with my hubby dates.....
     Laughter; joy; hard work; planning; my new booth; dates; yard work; church; church work; others ; family; LIFE.....all make this life so Precious!

     Last week when I got my hair done..."She asked me ...anything special coming up?  ........I said Nope ..just going home after this ...my husband loves when I get my hair done! And you know what ? She smiled...and I think she liked it.........(because I think she gets off work she goes home and makes supper just like Ordinary me!

TEA SHOPS ...RIBBONS..PRETTY THINGS..I LIKE BEING A GIRL...

TEA SHOPS...RIBBONS..PRETTY THINGS..I LIKE BEING A GIRL

TEA SHOP.....

I happen to enjoy pretty things; tea shops; and even things tied with a ribbon...........We have a tea shop in town and on special occasion I have enjoyed a nice lunch there............
I remember when my girls were young and how they loved playing dress up with my old jewelry; old hats; and the clunk clunk of a pair of old heels to play in.........It was fun to be
feminine...........Now my granddaughters enjoy the same.........and I like that........Sometimes
I will cut my granddaughters sandwich out in little shapes like a butterfly or a pumpkin...
(you may say is she spoiled? Oh no she is learning to be creative and make her world around
her nice)............
We recently had a visitor over for supper and he was a guest of my husbands. He commented
how he never had all this "fruuu fruu" pretty things on his table but he really liked it!
I just smiled to my husband.......Supper doesnt always have to be a fancy thing but you can
make it special with a few pretty plates; maybe instead of placing the huge tub of margarine on the table you can scoop out a portion  in a small
bowl; adding a tablecloth and in the Springtime..a seasonal candle glowing with a simple crockpot meal or sandwiches and  a side.
Having pretty things around you doesnt have to mean you spend alot of money ( I never do)
but you can be creative....I remember one Christmas holiday I went shopping in a very fine
department store. Money was tight that year so my bill in my purse wasnt going to purchase
many things there.....But.......I so enjoyed the beautiful music being played on the piano in their
lobby. I enjoyed a small cup of coffee for Free and then I gazed through their clearance racks
and found two small items I was in need of. The stores policy was to wrap it in tissue; then a
beautiful box of silver and gold and a pretty ribbon.......My cost was $3 total and I felt like I
had spent a small fortune..........
On special occasions I have gone to the teashop. It can be pricey but if you order only a few
items and some tea it can be a wonderful deal and the atmosphere is beautiful for the time
well spent...............
At home you can bring that special touch again to simple things by using small twinkle lights;
pretty thrift store plates or silverware; linens; pillows ( I found a beautiful lime green pillow
from Pottery Barn one day for $1) to go in any season.........
Enjoy being a lady and the gift of being creative with the world God has given around you......

LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE!

LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE!!

  LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE

 These past few days these thoughts have past through my mind.....I just LOVE where I live???

  Oh you may say...Do you live in a beautiful city full of lights and many things going on? No ...as a matter of fact...I live in a small town but the citys are not far away......

   When I was a young girl I always enjoyed watching my mom tie her apron on....and could smell the aroma of fresh brewing coffee early in the mornings....I could hear the sounds of "Ker lunk...Ker lunk" as the coffee began to perk......Fresh eggs and  the smell of crisp bacon in an iron skillet filled the kitchen and my mom would turn that sweet smile and sing song " Good morning Good morning to you" in a cheerful voice...

   Dinners were a beautifully dressed table with a white covering and blue and white dishes......filled with white fluffy potatoes and a dot of butter streaming warm down the hill of potatoes; fried chicken that was light brown and full of crunch with each bite; asparagus that seemed to line up so green on a simple platter and rolls hot from the oven....

My parents lived during the War times...Depression Era...when times were hard and things they had were worked for many hours....and THEY MADE DUE WITH WHAT THEY HAD....and seemed content with that! I love that! Maybe ...just maybe that is why I love using what I have or taking old things; used things and making them USEFUL and NEW again..........

  I have found many a cup or bowl as the ones above and used for my table or made it a special plate for cookies to give away or even as a "snack time " dish for just me late at night..........A  .25 cent item from the past that brings such contentment.....

  I probably have had times or more that I too have thought: I wish I could have this or that as I thumb through a beautiful magazine of design and homes BUT .........now (maybe its age) I seem to have found such great contentment in the LIFE given.........I dont really remember saying " I sure wish I could have this or that in my life".........but God gives us our hearts desires......and  A home in which to live; a bed in which to lay my head; children grown that I love and admire and grandchildren for extra blessings..........

 My husband and my favorite times are times sitting together enjoying coffee; talking or being quiet and enjoying Gods nature...........

 I dont want to sound like I have ended up rocking life away........I love being active....and in this time of my life a New Business ( though small ) all about vintage is in my path......new beginnings for my husband and I to be a part of ......I love decorating ( with old things) and bringing Newness into each season in our home....

Enjoy yourself........with what God has given you....maybe not the life YOU had planned or what you think THEY think you should have  ( who are THEY anyway?) ha ha ..........Enjoy your husband for who he is...your children  for who they are.....( I once  heard a lady say Do your eyes light up when your children enter a room? For they look at your countenance first....  I thought this was good and made a note to myself to bring a smile to my grand girls!!
Enjoy who God places in your path?"  Oh ....but I wanted to be in that group or be a singer; a team leader; the president  of the club...Whatever it is! >..........Let God place you where He needs you and then encourage those around your path!! Its all about Him and not all about me.......

Take....your home and make it shine and BEAUTIFUL! .......Do you craft ( Im not great at this!) but try...how about cook; teach ; sew ; create? USE what God has given to you and live it to the fullest!

  I just sometimes love to don an apron with the grandgirls ........and roll out a piecrust or make cookies and watch their eyes light up and giggle ...as flour seems to float into the air and sugar dances around us!!

Maybe a Simple Meal of Meatloaf; twice baked potatoes; warm green beans and a cheddar biscuit.....created and set on the table and your hubby coming in the door and saying " WOW it sure smells good in here".........brings JOY to my heart..........

Sometimes just a cup of  Coffee ( I love coffee with Coconut Creamer) or Starbucks with creamer!! This can make a party for two...........

Enjoy your life!! Celebrate!.........with what you have and see what comes from it!

BITS AND PIECES OF "SPRINGTIME".....ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE....

BITS AND PIECES OF "SPRINGTIME"...ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE...

BITS AND PIECES OF SPRINGTIME ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE

My granddaughter and I have been working on some little "crafts" together for Spring and Easter...I am Not a crafter. That is its not one of my strengths....I would rather be cooking or baking up a storm but crafts take a little more effort. But........I try and learn little things... So it was with my "grand" these past few weeks.......
Here is just a "Little Tin" found at a thrift store and I places a ring of Spring beads in it to hang from my desk.
My husband bought me this little bunny years back when we were on a special date....My "grand" loves to look at this and pull the string in front to make it roll back and forth...Just 
the right little bunny for Easter....teacup was .25 cents at a thrift store. I love the pink!
Little things on my desk....This basket of eggs was my moms........She will be missed this Easter as she went to heaven last June.....She loved eggs; birds and nests...( my other sis gave this to her but said I could enjoy it ; thank you sis); .so this will help me to remember her......A fluer from my sister; a picture from my moms......
I stopped by an Estate Sale last weekend.....It was cold and rainy and no one else was there ( I couldnt believe it) A big old fashion house in our little town.....They had been picked through
alot that morning but she had a few things left. I found these little hand painted sugar dishes 
for .25 to hold my jellybeans for Easter dinner. I also found about 10 pretty hankies for .10 a piece. I have them all washed up and ready to press them and keep them to have or give away.
This is the start of our Easter table. My "craft" with my granddaughter.....all white hanging 
flowers......white candles........we will set the table in blue and white and white dishes.....The centerpiece held my hyacinths ( they were being watered at this point)............ 
We took an "old book that was falling apart and some of the blank pages "she " stamped Bible Verses on and we hung them on a cord across the mirror in the room.............
Doily with Bible verse stamped upon them hung on my white curtains...........(a craft )
We took my "silver tray " and added "Pink Easter Grass all around it.......added another one of my bunnies.............This sits on the hutch by the diningroom table.............I wanted it to be a fun day as we decorated......We played the old song " In my Easter Bonnet by Perry Como...."
We took some pages out of the old book and made flowers........We also made a long wreath full of flowers to hand on the fireplace.............
Flowers given my my sister............I always loved how she had her pink flowers sitting in a tall glass vase sitting on tall little round table in the middle of her room........So pretty.
My flowers my hubby gave me (for no reason) Isnt that love?.............they smell so good sitting in the middle of the Table.........This will be replaced with a large platter of Spiral Ham on Easter.
For now I may put my bouquet of White Flowers to work with the white theme.

I enjoy seeing other bloggers ideas on decorating and using some of these ideas to enjoy in my home..........God is good to give us so much...............and enjoy our celebrations!