DOUBLELY BLESSED THIS WEEK!!

Earlier this week - the doorbell rang and when I opened the door I was very surprised to see a FedEx truck driving away.  I was not expecting anything – but there sat a big box, with my name on it, on the front porch.  I couldn’t wait to open it and see what was inside.  Oh my, I was blown away.  My sweet friend Lori, theblackcrow, had sent me a “just because” gift.  

There was a book – Country Decorating – to add to my American Country collection.  And then, Lori had sent something for my Blue/Brown Guest Room – a huge old blue wooden bowl and a few brown rag balls.

Here they are just out of the box.


Here is the bowl on my quilt.  I hope you can see the wonderful patina and how great the colors are for this room.


I placed the bowl on my great-grandmother’s sewing machine, that I use as a bedside table.  I love it!  Lori, thank you for being so thoughtful - it is perfect!
 

Lori has been going through a busy season of life lately and hasn’t been able to post on her blog for awhile, but I encourage you to visit her blog anyway and check out her past posts here - you won’t be disappointed.

Yesterday - when my husband checked the mail our mailbox was empty, so we thought we had just not received any mail for that day.  Later in the afternoon my sister came by and when I opened the door there sat a box, with the mail tucked underneath it.  This box had my name on it too!  

Now that is two packages (for me) in one week – this is definitely out of the ordinary.  Again, I couldn’t wait to open the box and see what was inside.   It was a gift from my dear friend Linda, Parker’s Paradise.  

Linda had posted a picture of a sampler that she stitched (here), with the name of each grandchild, in a heart, around the words “Grandma’s Blessings” - and my grandmother’s heart was touched.  My “grands” are one of the great delights of my life and I just love that Linda feels the same way about hers.  I had posted a comment on Linda’s blog and she emailed me about my grandchildren – and then this wonderful gift arrived in the mail!



This picture does not do it justice.  It is beautiful!  Thank you, Linda,  for being so thoughtful – I love it!  (I  will be rearranging a wall display to make a special place to hang this – need DH’s help for this, so will post a picture later.)

Linda is a dear and her blog is delightful –be sure to visit her here.

GRATITUDE - I have made many dear friends through blogging. I had no idea when I began this journey what to expect, but I have been blessed beyond measure.

Thank you to each of my followers - and a special thank you to those of you who take the time to comment.  You touch my life with your friendship, as you encourage and inspire me.

Blessings,
Sue

A NEW YEAR–A NEW BEGINNING

“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old.  Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming.  Do you not see it?  Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”  (Isaiah 43:18-19)  As I reflect on 2010, both the good and the not so good, I choose not to dwell on the past – but to look forward with great expectancy to the “new that is coming”.  Perhaps 2010 brought a season of wilderness into your life, but God’s Word tells us He will make a way in the wilderness. 


“You [God] crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with abundance.”   (Psalm 65:11)  I pray that God will go before each of you this year and that you will experience peace, prosperity and an abundance of His presence. 

I gave up making New Year’s resolutions years ago – I found that I often did not keep them anyway.  But this year I have chosen to make two commitments.  I am committing to read through the Bible this year; and I am committing to memorize Scripture – two verses or passages each month.  I realize that these are commitments that in my own power I probably would end up not keeping.  But Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”  So I move forward with confidence, that I will be able to succeed, because I am committing this to the Lord. 

As I reflect on 2010, one of the good things I rejoice over is the friendships I have made through blogland.  Just a few short months ago I set aside my fear of the unknown and started this blog.  And I am so glad I did.  You, my friends and followers, have blessed and enriched my life with your encouragement, support, talents, and creativity.  Thank you for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours.

Have a blessed New Year,
Sue

NEW BLOG BACKGROUND

Check out my new blog background and header.  Isn’t it awesome?  Tammy from A Primitive Place ~ Tammy made it.  She has several backgrounds available, if you are interested.  Being new to blogging, and also being computer challenged, I was having trouble getting this beautiful background to work on my blog.  I emailed Tammy and she worked with me until it fit my blog – she also created the header for me, since I haven’t done any Christmas decorating yet and did not have a photo that looked good with her beautiful background.  Tammy, I can’t thank you enough for the time and talent you put into making my blog look great.

Now I need to get busy and get my decorating done so I can post some pictures.  Actually, I have been getting ready.  Earlier in the week I packed away all of the Fall decorations.  Wednesday was spent cooking and getting ready for Thanksgiving.  On Thursday we enjoyed a wonderful day at my parents home – all of our children and grandchildren were able to join us – and nothing makes this Mama’s heart happier than having all of her family together.  Today I cleaned house, bought and planted some poinsettias, and helped DH set up the big Nativity scene in the front yard – DH helped plant the poinsettias, made a primitive stable for our Nativity scene and one for our neighbor’s, and mowed the lawn.  Tomorrow is inside day – DH will set up the trees and check the lights for me while I am unpacking decorations; then I will be decorating the trees and working on the displays.  I feel very blessed to have a husband who helps me.


I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration and are enjoying your weekend.

With a Grateful Heart,
Sue

ANTIQUING AT RENNIGERS

My favorite place to go antiquing is Rennigers Antique Market, located on over 117 acres north of Mt. Dora, Florida.  In November, January, and February they hold an Antique Extravaganza that brings in more than 1000 dealers.  I have been looking forward to this weekend for months.  

I usually have a list of things I am looking for, but today I didn’t.  I told my husband – let’s just take our time and browse and see what we find.  Well, we did find a few goodies – a crockery jar and pitcher, a small pewter pitcher, a unique round muffin pan, 3 rolling pins, 2 wooden bowls, some beeswax dipped pears, and an awesome wooden chocolate box. 

 

Close up of chocolate box.  The chocolate box is in great condition and has the logo “Daggert’s Chocolates” imprinted on the front.  



Close up of other goodies.  The lady I bought the pears from said they were made from cinnamon dough and then dipped in beeswax – I think they will look great displayed in a wooden bowl.



GRATITUDE
I am so grateful for my husband – he is truly my best friend.  He is always willing to spend a day helping me look for treasures  - and he even carries them for me.

I hope you all are having a blessed weekend.

With A Grateful Heart,
Sue

RECEIVED MY WINNINGS

I was blessed to win the drawing for Tuesday’s Display Chain #5 from Misi of 1890 Gable House Musings.  I received my package in the mail this week.  It was a tombstone peg rack and a sweet silhouette to hang from it.  I have ordered a couple more silhouettes from Misi – don’t know if I will display them on the peg rack or not – depends on how it looks.
 
I hung it in our Bedroom on a wall that has been empty and waiting for just the right thing.  I will add to it when I find the perfect item for this space.



Thank you, Misi!  I love it.  (The ponytail girl looks a lot like me when I was a young girl.)

GRATITUDE
I am blessed to have met so many wonderful friends through blogland.  I am truly grateful for each one of you.

With A Grateful Heart,
Sue

TUESDAY DISPLAY CHAIN–“YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE”

This week’s display theme – submitted by Amy of Cottage Prims – is “You Light Up My Life.”  With winter setting in and the night coming earlier, we were asked to share early lighting, candles, lanterns or even new light displays.

The only early lighting I have is my collection of oil lamps.  Several of these were given to me by special people in my life.  One belonged to my grandmother, one came from a great aunt, my mother gave me a couple for birthday gifts, my DH bought some for me “just because”, and one belonged to a dear friend who lost her battle with cancer.

This is my oil lamp display.  It sits on top of a cupboard in our Dining Room.  



This is the lamp that belonged to my grandmother.  She used this for light when the electricity went out.  If you look closely you can see her frugal solution for replacing the used wick -  a piece of old fabric.



One of my most cherished lamps is the one that belonged to may dear friend who lost her battle with cancer – it was a gift from her daughter.  Also in this picture is the Bible that my DH inherited from his grandmother, a pair of glasses that belonged to my great aunt, and a cup & saucer given to me by my sister.



I’ve enjoyed sharing my lamps with you and thinking about the special people who gave them to me.  I hope you have enjoyed looking this week.  Be sure to visit Misi at 1890 Gable House Musings and check out her display, along with those of the others that are participating.

GRATITUDE
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily.  The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world.  ~Terri Guillemets

With A Grateful Heart,
Sue

FANCY FLEA, EYECANDY IN THE MAIL, AND A LITTLE GRATITUDE

Twice a year a group in our town hosts The Fancy Flea - a vintage flea market – held on a closed street downtown.  The Fall event was Saturday and I decided to step out of my comfort zone and set up a booth – I love to buy but have never tried selling at one of these events.  

Several years ago (when we only had two granddaughters) I bought enough Raggedy Ann & Andy paraphernalia to decorate both of their bedrooms and a guestroom at our home – I went a little overboard!  Well, they have out grown Ann & Andy, and we have downsized, and it is time for someone else to enjoy these goodies.  So I decided I would give selling at the Fancy Flea a try.  I did sell some, but I still have a lot left.  Everyone keeps telling me I need to sell on ebay – maybe one day I will give that a try.

Here is a photo of my Raggedy Ann & Andy display.  I know – obsessive!



I also brought along some of the other things I have collected over the years and no longer want to use in our home.  Below is a photo of the other side of my booth.



And of course I couldn’t attend an event like this without buying.  Below is a photo of the goodies I found – a firkin, an inkwell with feather, an old book, a neat old basket, and a rolling pin with black handles.  All in all it was a fun day.



LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAILTHIS WEEK! 
I have read on other blogs and forums about the American Country series of books from Time Life - many of you use these for inspiration in your decorating.  Well, I thought I would see if I could find some.  I tried Amazon and did find many for sale and some at good prices, but before I ordered any I thought I would try ebay.  I just happened to find a lot of ten books for sale with a little over an hour left on the bidding time and I had the time to sit and watch and bid and slip in the winning bid at the last minute.  I was so excited – I got all ten books for just under $30, including shipping.  Now of course I am on the look out for the other ten to complete the set.  I love the challenge of completing a collection and the hunt is a great part of the fun.

These are the ones I received and I sure am enjoying all of the eyecandy and great ideas.



GRATITUDE
I am so grateful for my sweet husband who helped me in every way with the Fancy Flea – from loading and unloading the vehicle, packing and unpacking, getting up at 5:00 am to arrive and be set up by the designated time, hanging out with me all day and helping with sales.  He truly is the best husband and the love of my life.  I am so blessed.

I hope you all have had a blessed weekend.

With a Grateful Heart,
Sue

A COUPLE OF COMPLETED PROJECTS AND SOME GRATITUDE

With the help of my DH I finished a couple of projects to complete a wall display in our Living Room.  I had started with a framed stitchery of The Lord’s Prayer and added candle sconces found at Goodwill.  But this is a large wall and it still needed a little something.  My DH made a peg board for me and I painted, distressed and stained it.  I hung this to the left of the stitchery with a basket and a battery candle.  I also painted and stained a small shelf that I found a couple of weeks ago at the Antiques Fair.  I displayed the pewter pieces that I found at the Fair on the shelf and hung it to the right of the stitchery.

Here is the shelf before painting.



This is the completed wall display.



I also displayed the crockery pieces that I found at the Antiques Fair.  I added them to the shelf by our TV cabinet – the three pieces on the top shelf, the crock on the left of the bottom shelf and the jar on the left of the second shelf.  I am liking the way this display is coming together.

    

This is how it looked before adding the new found crockery pieces.



And one more thing.  I love the shape of this bowl I found at the Antiques Fair.



I displayed it on the Kitchen counter with lots of dried potpourri.



GRATITUDE
Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.  ~Author Unknown

Today I took my Mom to the doctor because she has been having pain in her shoulder, neck and up the back of her head. I am so grateful that the diagnosis was muscle spasms and not something more serious.  With medication she should be feeling better soon.

I hope you are all having a blessed week.

With a grateful heart,
Sue

NOVEMBER 1ST BEGINS A MONTH TO BE GRATEFUL

As October was coming to an end and I began to think ahead to November, the idea to be intentional about gratitude kept coming to my mind.  We always take the time on Thanksgiving Day to express what we are thankful for, but I felt I needed to do more.  So I plan for the month of November to keep a Gratitude Journal – not my original idea, I had heard of this before.  I plan to look for ways through out the day to be grateful and write them in my journal at the end of the day.  Some days I will share my thoughts in this blog and other days I probably will not.

Today, and everyday, I am grateful first for the love of my Heavenly Father who sacrificed His only Son for my salvation.

I am grateful to be married to my best friend.  My husband, Adolph, is the love of my life and the very best husband, Dad, and Papa.  I love you sweetheart.

I am grateful for my family – our daughters and son, their spouses and our grandchildren.  They are all such a delight.

I am grateful that I still have my parents with me and cherish the time I am able to spend with them.

I am grateful for friendship.  Friends that have shared in my life for years and new friends that I have met since I discovered blogland – you are all dear to me.

I hope you will take the time this month to reflect on what you are grateful for.  And I would love for you to share your thoughts with me.

With A Grateful Heart,
Sue