Today.....

Today would have been my grandmaw Vera's birthday. There are so many things I could write about her life. She was unexpectedly widowed when she was in her early 50s. She loved to travel. She loved holidays. She loved her children and her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook. Not too long ago I asked mama to make Swiss Steak like Maw Maw used to make. Soo many happy memories! She had a fireball temper that could errupt at the drop of a hat. She had a wonderful Godly heritage but herself waited until several years before she died to give her heart to God. But,when she made the decision, she followed through like she did with everything in her life. She was committed to go the distance, regardless. This picture was taken the Thanksgiving before she died the following May.

Look at all the food on the stove in the background of the picture. That was how it was everytime we went to Maws. Whether is was her big yellow Pyrex bowl full of potato salad or her cornbread dressing, everyting was in abundance and everything was delicious. We miss her so much. We were not ready to let her go. And days like today it's hard all over again. Happy Birthday Maw Maw.

Vacation 2007

We got back today from an almost week long vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains.

We saw the very end of the leaf change but we still saw a lot of color! It was so pretty there. Our vacation was delayed a couple of days because my Uncle Russell died the day we were to leave town. It was a hard decision but we decided to go after his funeral service. He was 68 years old and suffered with diabetes and congestive heart failure, among other things. I still can't believe he's gone. He was always the larger than life uncle, the fun one. Not always the storybook uncle but he was my favorite. I cried most of the way to Tennessee. We got to Gatlinburg around midnight on Monday. On Tuesday we ventured to Cades Cove, a one-way, 11 mile loop around an isolated valley located in the East Tennessee section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We wanted to get there in the late afternoon and finish the loop around dusk. Our timing was near perfect. We saw deer, turkeys and even a bear cub. We had to stop our car to allow this deer to cross in front of us. Since they live in a protected environment they have little fear of humans.

We also played a lot of goofy golf. This particular course was called Davy Crockett. See the master at work....

We had a wonderful time. We packed a lot in to the time we were there enjoyingThe Dixie Stampede and The Comedy Barn along with several great meals. It was good to get away but we were ready to get back home and back to OUR OWN BED! It's rough to sleep in a queen size bed after you're accustomed to sleeping in a roomy king size bed. Well it's back to work for me tomorrow...I'll be daydreaming of the mountains......

Yard Sale 2007

We had a huge yard sale today. We got there before daylight and started setting up our tables. I thought I would die before we got all the boxes and totes unpacked! But when we were finished and ready for customers we had one nice looking sale. I used thrifted vintage sheets and a shabby chic table cloth for the table covers and it added a nice touch. Really only one "dealer" type and she didn't haggle over prices so all in all it was a wonderful day.

I really hated to let go of these lamps but I didn't have anywhere to put them and I was scared they would be broken if I just kept storing them. The "dealer" bought these....

We only really had two early birds (a senior citizen couple). They were not pushy so it was ok. I was a little worried because we were not overrun with customers from the beginning. But, we had a steady stream all day and the ones that stopped were in the mood to buy!

My back is a different story. I think it fell off and is lying on the ground somewhere. We had the sale at our church because it's on a main road and always has good traffic flow.

Today was the first day of a two day sale. I'm a little nervous because most of our "good" stuff sold today. So it may make for a long day tomorrow but we shall see.....

Here is my Mister affirming the old "boys will be boys" thing. He's playing with a Crossfire game. It later sold for $1.00 to a little boy who was thrilled to be the new owner!

Somtimes our wants too

I decided to dedicate this post to one of my very favorite prints! I love old romantic prints, especially ones that involve pianos or other musical instruments. I have loved this print since the first time I saw it which was probably about 20 years ago in the big town of Pine Hill, Alabama. Pine Hill is about 2 hours north of Mobile. Since I was a little girl, at least twice a year, I would be hauled to Pine Hill by my Mama and my Maw Maw to see my Grandpaw's Cousin's wife Barnette. Barnette's house was so cute and quaint and loaded with 40's-50's charm! One day I discovered this print in her house and knew I had to have one just like it. So, I started my quest. I searched eBay until I thought my fingers would fall off. No luck. I looked everywhere that I knew to look. Still no print. I had no information. I didn't know the artist's name, the title of the print or ANYTHING! I had a feeling that it was probably a mass produced print but just really had no clue... well, fast forward until about 2 years ago. I was at a dumpy little auction in a neighboring town. The kind of place where the cigarette smoke is so thick you could cut it with a knife. So I'm previewing all the items and OH MY GOODNESS my heart starts to race. The closer I get to the print my heart is pounding! It was the print that I had searched for! Of course it was one of the very last things they auctioned that night so it was after midnite before it came up. There was an antique dealer that started bidding against me but I was prepared to go the distance. I had decided that print was coming home with me REGARDLESS! Thankfully I only had to bid $38 and it was mine! I was one happy, sleepy, smokey girl! Where is this print you say?

It has so much character. Of course I love the piano but I also love the curved staircase, the gargoyle looking angels on the clock in the background, I could go on and on. And the frame! Oh my gosh. My frame is prettier than Barnette's. Hers was a simple, cherry wooden frame. I knew that it would one day hang proudly in one of our guest rooms. We are finally about to paint the walls in this room and I will be able to hang this beautiful print. God is so mindful of us. Most certainly for what we need but sometimes our wants too.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart...Psalms 37:4 KJV

Happy Birthday Daddy

Tomorrow is my Daddy's 65th birthday. We celebrated this past Sunday with a cake, presents and the whole deal! The cake was made in a thrifted Wilton horseshoe cake pan. I think I paid a whopping $1.48 for the pan that still had the original J C Penney price tag on the side. He loves horses so this was the perfect cake for him. Off-the-chain Jacob did the baking honors. As he said, he wanted to go old school with the "number candles". Resistance was futile so we got old school candles! I guess that was better than 65 little candles that could have set off the fire alarm!

Here's daddy with the cake: and doing what he loves....

His horses are named Bonnie & Clyde. Cute, huh? My dad is a good man and has always been a wonderful provider for his family. He's retired now and I hope he is able to enjoy retirement for many years to come.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20: 7 KJV

I Have A Sickness I Tell You

Well, I've done it again. I bought more fall flowers. This time for the little niche above my bathtub. Actually Jacob did it again.

For two weeks in a row I've done my weekly cleaning and then baked a cake. This is huge for me! Cleaning alone would be huge but cleaning and baking? I'm trying to do a modified Fly Lady routine and I will say that it has definitely been working! I have my little routines and I've been sticking to them. I still have to work on the decluttering part! Anyway, I guess maybe you just feel like baking when you walk into a kitchen with a shiny sink. This is my cake from this week, right off the Duncan Hines box. Oh my goodness!

This cake is so good! It's super easy and oh so moist! I love me a bundt cake! (Actually any cake baked in a bundt pan). I can remember a time when I used to think.. how boring..a bundt cake. What was I thinking? Bundt cake is 'da bomb! This cake is made with a Duncan Hines devil's food cake mix. Is there any other kind of cake mix? If you'd like to try this cake.....

• 1 Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake Mix
• 1 small box of instant chocolate pudding mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until done. The easiest part of this cake is the icing. Take 1/2 cup of Duncan Hines Creamy Homestyle frosting and microwave for about 10 seconds. Stir well and then drizzle over cake. Just beware if you make this cake. It is so good. Don't say I didn't warn you.

I still do... 17 years later

Today is my seventeenth wedding anniversary. That's right...17 years! How is that possible since I'm only 29? I must say that God blessed me with the best husband in the world! He is my soulmate, my provider, my confidant, my friend. He's probably the most talented person I've ever known. After all these years he still calls me Bride.


We just got back from our anniversary dinner....with my parents. Because you know what? Today is their anniversary too. They were married 45 years ago today! I chose their anniversary as the day I wanted to be married. You see, before God gave my husband to me he gave me the best parents a girl could have.

Happy Anniversary, Mister! I love you very much!

Homecoming 2007

It was homecoming at church today. Our church was founded 59 years ago. It is always such a special day. We had two baby dedications today also. So, I've had a busy day today and yesterday, when I did the bulk of my cooking. See, that's one of the good parts of homecoming... the huge meal after church. You know the one where all the ladies bring their best dishes and desserts and you eat until you cannot hold another ounce! For my dessert I made this strawberry cake.

I was so disappointed when I tried to get the layers out of the pan because EACH layer had an 1" indention directly in the center. I've never had this happen before! Maybe because I let my layers cool in the pan? I started to get fresh strawberries and put them in the center but then I decided to take it just like it was. But you know what, I came home with one piece left. ONE PIECE. So I guess it was edible, even with the huge crater in the center!

It's always good to see family and old friends and reminisce about the past.

Well, here goes....

Well, here goes. I guess I’m officially a blogger. And guess what? I already have writers block. Or would that be bloggers block? I guess I could start with telling you a little about myself. I’m a thirty-something southern girl who loves God, thrift stores, garage sales, antique shops, fabric, pyrex bowls, vintage linens, lamps, interior design, and just about anything else. And, I’m afraid my new addiction is flower arranging. This is my first real attempt… what do you think?
The arrangement is made of 6 bunches of .97 Wally World flowers. The vase I found at Goodwill for .69. The small piece of foam that I used cost .10 on clearance at Wally World. My nephew Jacob told me that he could arrange one that would be better than mine. So, I told him to bring it on. Well, guess what? That boy is off the chain! I’ll have to admit that he did an excellent job! I’m pretty sure that this was his first attempt at flower arranging but MAN! And the playing field was level because he used Wally world flowers too! He found the vase at the thrift store and spray painted it black. I will begrudgingly declare him the winner…..


(He grills a pretty mean hamburger too)


This is another of my craft projects. Can you tell I’m ready for fall and cooler weather? Our temps here are still in the 90’s but I don’t care what the thermometer says. Fall is in the air! A tell tale sign is daylight. We have less and less each day. Ok, back to my project. It really wasn’t that hard. The hardest part was pulling the sticker off the glass bowl. But aren’t these beaded miniature pumpkins the cutest?

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV