Monday, May 31, 2010

A Bit Of Old Fashion

No matter how old we are, the long awaited arrival of summer always seems to carry us back to our youth but we still rejoice in the feeling of going barefoot in the grass... Summer seems to bring on many celebrations and opportunities to spend with family and friends... May and June... Graduations... Memorial Day...brides and grooms...birthdays... all creating joy... We are just never to enjoy these.... The best of times.... The true answer to ones contentment is to have the wisdom to celebrate the summer season and create reasons to make special moments...
Mother seems to make plans for such celebrations but often fathers and husbands take the load of preparation off my managing the BBQ grilling... Guests adding a special prepared dish of their own can make for a real feast... to be enjoyed by all... With the rising temps we all seem to venture from our homes... It does not take much for myself in indulge and delight in the relaxed spirit... More light fill the days days and landscapes burst with color created with the coming of summer... Iced beverages appear more often....
How many times in life do we hear the word "OLD FASHION" and find ourselves instantly drawn to it... "OLD FASHION" picnic... lemonade... barn dance.. ect... It instills the pure enjoyment of a easier and more relaxed time when all was content with less and not expect so much luxury.... People content with the food and laughter of repeated story telling... of life's lessons... Last evening Tom and I enjoyed TB's on the grill.. fried mushrooms.. cheesy baked potatoes and sweet corn and strawberries and bananas with a generous scoop of french vanilla ice cream..... later in the evening... It was a meal fit for a King and a Queen... as we sat in our everyday summer garb and barefoot enjoying every moment on our deck... looking out over the lawns and colorful flowers and birds joining together in a choir like concert.... To have the time to indulge and meditate in such a environment undisturbed is just a small touch of heaven here on earth... IT SEEMS AS ALL BECOMES RIGHT WITH THE WORLD WITH THESE KIND OF ENJOYED MOMENTS. Just to have the time to enjoy the taste of cherries and strawberries appeasing out taste desires.. just makes the day a truly "OLD FASHION ONE" We should be ever so thankful for " Home is where the heart is" so strongly received... I so hope you all had moments spend with a touch of "Old Fashion" within them... I know mine was very clearly charming and oh so pleasant...
Today in a couple hours will be a different time spend with others... We will be leaving to join in a mixed couples golf scramble 18 holes and a lunch served afterwards with shared time with many friends.... The weather may have a say in the results as I look at the the forecast but only time will tell that.... I know upon the completion of today I will come home tired but happy from the days outing.... I will you all "Old Fashion" happiness and peace and relaxation on this day of remembrance..... Blessings......

Saturday, May 29, 2010

OutDoor Space























Last evening Tom and I played Mixed Couples Scrambles at the St. Mikes golf course and went in the club house and socialized and ordered a steak and played some Keno with a group of others... On Friday nights at the course in the summer months they serve all you can eat fish { it is delicious} and steaks Grilled outside on the BBQ... The steaks dinners are only 8.00 and mine was very very good.... It is open to the public and serving starts at 5 in case anyone close is interested... We will be playing in a scramble on Monday also....
The gifted grain sack cushions have finally made their appearance on the 2 back decks and the front porch... I am pleased with the at no cost look... It must be kept simple due to the elements and the swimwear as I have posted before... I used the cushions we have had for about 15 years and inserted them into the grain sacks and sewed the end shut... I am content to have something different to look at and delighted in the not a dime spent... Just alittle bit of labor,,, I will be happy with what is available to myself and just oohh and ahhhh about what may be available for others... I have seen some just knock out spaces on other blogs but I also am very aware we may be on totally different levels of living... I must tell you very honestly however... I know having all would not increase my level of happiness... If I cannot be content with the blessings bestowed in our lives there will be no contentment... Happiness truly becomes in the eye of the beholder..... As I sip my coffee this morning the birds are singing and the sun is shinning and oh such a gentle breeze is blowing... It appears to going to be another lovely day....My posting may be random and maybe not to Tuesday or Wednesday as I really haven't planned every hour of the weekend.... Tonight we will be attending a graduation party... I will just let most of the time be for relaxing and enjoying life as it happens.... A few little naps may even be inserted in a few times.... Wishing you all a blessed holiday weekend and do take some moments to reflect why were celebrate this holiday...






Friday, May 28, 2010

Appreciate

Picture by Karen Barefoot....

AAAhhhhhh... alas..... we are entering into our first holiday weekend of the summer.... Many of you will travel toward your cottages at the lake as I have seen boats and trailers traveling by the house the past couple days heading toward Michigan and the lakes and many of you will be content to have a outing in the comfort of your homes or do yard work that has managed to evade you... Many will plant flowers in garden areas.... We will be attending a graduation party and a golf outing and just hanging out at home... No matter where you go or what you have planned I hope it is done with excitement and enjoyment... Doing something you love like creating would be quite lovely also... Taking time for one's self should not be out of the question... Taking the time is the only way to run away without really leaving home.... Hopefully many of you will have the holiday off and like me just a ordinary gal with a passion of enjoying everyday blessings..
We should remember those whom aren't at home with their families but placing themselves in harms way to try to make our country safe... Remembering loved ones that are no longer with us.... Whatever be in your plans, remember not to compare yourself with others... { THIS IS KEY} It may have the ability to stifle and make us unhappy... We each, due to our own circumstances follow different paths and the more you focus on your own path and make it the best you can with what you are working with... the more contentment will be waiting to reward you... and the happier you will be and that creating happiness for others...
PS. Spending quality time with others and { APPRECIATE} the freedom that others has given to us by the giving of their life's...

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Blessings Are All Around Us

Oh my golly goodness... I wanted sunshine... Oh ... I got sunshine and 90 degree weather in May attached to it.... The last couple days were just not right either.... the days are somewhat misplaced.... This will be the first year we will not have out pool ready to swim in for Memorial Day... We won't be taking that first dip... The water process is slow this year and I just arrived back home from The Water Recreation Store spending more funds on more chemicals... Our youngest grandson was over for a short stay last evening and proclaimed"But it's all GREAN... but it feels like it's time to swim"... If he ask once he ask 15 times how many days yet till he can take that dip... Tom and I sat out under the stars after making supper on the grill... We went to the other grandson's baseball game and before attending I had formed hamburger steaks with seasoning ect. ready to go when we returned... A baked potato and salad finished the meal with a few bing cherries to nibble on....
Your certainly do not have to spend any money to sit outside and enjoy and appreciate searching the skies for the dippers and wondering where the people who are flying in the sky... where they are going... Sitting and relaxing takes us away from our computers and TV's and lets us connect with natural beauty... It is always the best the countryside has to offer... I am always excited to come home to the comfort... I know many would rather be out and about but for me... the years of wisdom obtained makes me know the blessing of having a home for shelter and charm and lovely living is truly a very ,very, large gift...For those who think they must travel, be at resorts and lakes... for whatever reason... those thoughts for me are bittersweet... The only sense of urgency I feel is to be surrounded by my home... Being on the moment, enjoy the breezes, blue skies, birds and always welcome good company... As I know nothing lasts forever... I will lavish in the moments before me now... Blessings... and Enjoy Them... They truly are all around us....

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Relax and Surrender To Offerings That Surround Us




Oh another later post as today was the Tuesday morning ladies golf league and I have just returned home from chasing that little white ball around the course... Are you under stress of everyday happenings? I would really like you to stop right this very moment and think of something lovely, small and sweet that would bring you a bit of joy... Are you so stressed you can't make a decision what that would be... The whole idea is to stop... and make yourself aware of what is happening.... I have a very strong desire for the past couple weeks for some sunshine.. That is happening today... I have been in my personal havens...cleaning and enjoying... I tell myself... go ahead... indulge yourself and run, don't walk, to the special and romantic places... I find I don't have to travel far... its only a few steps away... No need to speak high ticket fare... secure your happiness at home... If possible... your special haven... accessorize it to make it more desirable yet.. Simple spaces take on a romantic air with pretty coverings and greenery seem to add a sweet flair... You set the mood it all just seems to happen... I believe privacy to take the trophy over space... Seclusion can be obtained with help from natural curtains such as vines climbing on trellis to provide color and texture... in contrast to a solid fence that may cause a feeling of imprisonment... Whatever your space... make it yours...even if it is obtained with a light sheer fabric... The whole object is a place to unwind after long hard day... With all this in mind don't you think it is time to make a haven to lay back, relax, and surrender to the offerings that surround us... We placed the bench that I removed from my bedroom- added a coat of poly to make it with stand the elements better and I shared with you I used one of the gifted grain sacks for my cushion... Some early parts of the evening we may sit on the front porch and watch the cars go by but for the most part of our summer it is spent in the back side of the house outdoor space... Our back area is very private and quiet... We have the seclusion without ever leaving our home... Oh... don't forget to add the unexpected... for yourself and for someone you may invite into your haven.... Then just enjoy.....


Monday, May 24, 2010

Written From The Heart

Many beliefs of my childhood as sad as it seems to me really seem not to matter in today's society... True wisdom seems to be lacking in great quantities... As you travel through life's journey we learn there will be times to laugh and times to cry... Times we have to conquer our fears and re-think our beliefs. Learning forgiveness becomes a true gift.. Life takes on a task of de-clutter just as our computers need items need to be sent to the re-cycle bin...

We must learn to make good decisions so we are not always regretting our past... I think this is becoming harder and harder to accomplish as our society is accepting to many things... These reoccurring bad habits must be eliminated once you become aware of the circumstances we are not happy with or they will destroy.... For many of us the answers are just plain to simplify our life's. Pick out what you need for survival and contentment and just let the rest go... We have extremes in our society as of the last several years... The ones that work so very hard and the ones whom expect to be taken care of... I will just hold my tongue on the later and just pray soon some sort of desire to better will come... It is called Pride... Pride seemed to be the basis that held people and homes together years past... When we find a way to make our life's fuller by making them more simple it is like stepping into the sunshine... Moods brighten elevating our consciousness that surrounds us. I have reduced my need to be in the know as much as in the past... Certainly I am not saying I want to be in the dark ages... I just don't care for the headlines to control my life... and leave me in a upset state for the day...

You must make decisions on how to spend your time... We all deserve small indulgences... These can come by good decisions of what may be in our budget but as I travel through life I can tell you many, many are free. I find simple acts like reading and writing brings satisfaction... a walk, a ride, time spent helping others in small gestures... spending time with a friend... None of these lovely acts require diamonds or pearls... but can still add some glam to your life...

If you are yearning for a special relationship.. or your life to have more contentment, don't delay... Start your simplifying process today... remembering the search for this is a part of the journey and can become a great adventure... I have just found by the simple writing of this post I have managed to uplift my thoughts and my spirits that have seemed to fallen to the grey zone due to the lack of sunlight in the last couple weeks... I once again feel connected.... Blessings.....


Sunday, May 23, 2010

Inspiration



The first pic is oh so lovely from Better Homes and Gardens... The second pic is so inviting and from Country Living... The sun is shinning this morning with the hopes of the next few days producing the same and gaining high temps.... Setting a lovely setting seems to also make the food much more desirable... The use of vintage pieces infuse a hint of glamour...Always the use of lovely objects and good company makes the time oh so enjoyable.... Always gathering what is fresh and adding it to a table makes extra drama and beauty... The use of the crystal lamp adds the romance... Just a lovely perfect setting for a lovely day into the evening hours...

Last evening our plans were changed as the baseball tournament game was rescheduled to Monday night with all the storms... We viewed all the trash in the rising river when attending church in Defiance last eve and decided to ride down to the State Dam that is located several miles from Defiance.... We sat and viewed the rage of rising water and all the trees and logs and trash that filters into the rivers when flooding occurs... I watched it and it was somewhat scary and made me somewhat light headed as the water raged and moved...Great compassion felt for all the flooding that is taking place in surrounding areas and different states and countries... Stay safe...

We are off this afternoon to begin our graduation parties that will be taking place the next 3 weeks.... Today I will be seeing a old friend that I haven't seen for a couple years and visit with the last of her 3 boys to graduate... My how the time has passed and things have changed and moved on.... Life has a way of doing that to us .... I guess that is that way it is to be or we will be labeled a eccentric... Hope you have a wonderful day and have some lovely weather included in your area...


Saturday, May 22, 2010

On Gloomy Days ...Create


After more storms last evening as the clock registers high noon today... the sun is trying to make it's appearance and the hazy skies disappears I thought it maybe a good time to share some creating I completed yesterday searching for some contentment on a otherwise gloomy day... I did attempt a pint jar light... I will be using this as a night light in my bedroom... on my computer work station... I also searched the basement pantry and found a large lightly tinted blue canning jar to attempt another hanging one... I need to seek a wide mouth jar lid { certainly I must have one somewhere in this home, although I do not can anymore} The jar I place in the dish washer to make it all sparkly clean... This project may happen next week. I also scrapped another organizer from the salvaged back of a hard bound book ......A piece of the grain sacks I have been working with... a precious pic of a flapper and her baby... pieces of french book pages... small pics of Eifle tower and a post card and stamp... curling ribbon.. a pink rose scrap and a large vintage rhinestone brooch... complete this little charmer.... Just another sweet treat of eye candy.... Channeling some energy to creating was a blessing during the gloom of a day without
sunshine... I have a collection of ideas stored in my mind that I would like to create over the next few months.....

Friday, May 21, 2010

Make Lemonade

Yesterday has ended and queen for a day is over.... I so enjoyed the lovely sunshine day yesterday but it has ended again today... All I can think of to post today is...... " WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU LEMONS... MAKE LEMONADE.." I think I am off to make some lemonade...... and yearn for a lovely setting as pictured....Picture via... Southern Living

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Oh My Gosh ... Queen For A Day....
















The sun is shinning as I post this morning and it is suppose to be a pleasant day into the high 70's.... I just feel like queen for a day.....I can open the patio doors and windows to enjoy the soft breeze as I clean through my home.... That makes it so much more pleasant.... I have plans on going to Defiance for the Tinora baseball tournament late afternoon...by myself... Tom is off to Wauseon to Ironwood, the Golf Course with old friends and he will come home about 2 and leave again over to another course to play his Thursday night Men's league... The life many of a man dreams of..... he has it..... I was hoping to find a charming idea to make my post swoon-worthy today but I crashed and burned as the day just flew by yesterday with the late start.... Instead for today I think I am just going to enjoy every moment of this beautiful day and encourage you to do the same.... We don't spend near enough time enjoying the day and taking time to sip tea or iced lemonade.... sentiments... or just remembering how beautiful life can be if we allow it to happen.... I know we are especially guilty not making our day to day tasks enjoyable... I know there are some tough ones but with a good attitude they really aren't so bad.... Just enjoying the events of the day and the beauty that surrounds us and the objects we love the the family that means the most to us.... it is amazing the satisfaction that we are capable of feeling when we allow this to happen.... For all of you whom are still working out side of the home.... take time for creating a relaxed environment for yourself and loved ones when you do arrive home from your day at work.... Have a place that you just can't wait to come home and enjoy... It is so important to have that desire to be in lovely surroundings.....becoming wise and planning that time will gain you that queen for a day or evening feeling..... The above pics are so lovely and from http://www.flowers-gardens.net/ ..... Lovely... lovely... lovely...... I inserted a pic of our swimming pool of how it is going to be in about a week or so... Today it still is somewhat green and sudsy as it is taking it's bath trying to clean up.... It is so nice things seem to be taking a turn for the better although we may have more storms to work our way through tomorrow or so... I have a smile on my face and a crown on my head today however....





Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Sweet Nothings











It is once again getting late into the morning to be posting... I ran into Defiance to the Defiance Clinic to have some testing done after fasting all evening and morning so sipping coffee was later and strong as coffee was made by Tom early this A.M. Tom is out in the back taking the pool cover off to get the pool ready for the season... That is never a pretty sight but within a week or so will be much better... Although windy the sun has peeked through a couple time but no rain today. With the opening of the pool come more work but also more enjoyment... Within a couple weeks the pitter patter of little grandchildren feet and friends will be heard coming to play and cool off. Then the pitter patter will become yelling and screaming...I do not know what it is about water and children but it becomes loud.......Hoping to get out in a week or so to take some pics of our place of enjoyment and contentment for you.... It is funny how when I take pictures and post them ... I think boy I would like to live there... I think sometimes we are just so use to things that we forget how nice we really do have it...
I wanted to share with you a little scrapping project I completed using the sweet photo I found at the antique shop a couple weeks ago... I changed the computer work center in my bedroom around alittle over the weekend and am still working organizing... I have shown you a pic of this little scrappy piece.... I always love to add the embellishing and eye candy stuff you know... It makes personality... Always a bonus and a good choice if you use what you are decorating with....Makes things more practical. I would like to add a light to this space but haven't really shopped to see if I can come up with the electrical I would need to achieve... I still love the idea of the canning jars... and although a bedroom it is vintage and loved stuff so it would work ok for me... I do love the canning jars storage ideas also... for this space to add my own charm... The canning jar light pic is from Post Road Vintage and the storage canning jars ideas was found on http://weepingcherries.wordpress.com from a May 18, 2009 post if you would like many ideas for use of canning jars... Some are ever so pretty... Well a trip to the pool recreation store is probably in order soon to get chemicals and make the billfold much flatter. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed day... Until tomorrow...



Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Where Women Create

Oh my it has become afternoon posting again.... I was suppose to play Tuesday morning women's golf league this morning but once again it was a rainout... Tom and I headed out to Defiance to Meijers to purchase groceries... I ran into my sister-in-law... Judy while shopping there and she reads my blog and once again reminded me I wouldn't be making any use of my outdoor space soon this week....I think I may be whining alittle too much... I will try to refrain from that... but darn I sure do want the sun to shine and charge my battery..... I came home and wanted to post and haven't cured my wireless connection even after the new updated installation... I will give it my best shot...
Before going to Meijer's I did run into Joann's Fabrics and while there I saw they had one "WHERE WOMAN CREATE" magazine left and I thought it had my name on it... I most likely would not have purchased it cause it is expensive but I am always in awe of everything Elizabeth Maxson touches so I was too tempted.... I did have a post on earlier about her having a preview of her space on her blog in case you don't have access to the magazine.... Her blog is http://elizabethhousestlouis.blogspot.com and there is always good reading and lovely pics there... I did start some scrapping yesterday afternoon toward evening but haven't finished it to share with you yet... I hope to have something more of interest to share with you tomorrow... Hope you have a lovely evening.....

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Yearning For Outdoor Living


Clyde { My little ole butler} had the glasses iced knowing I would love to retire to the deck for beverages but it again was too cold and windy... It is very gloomy and stormy looking as we are forecast for rains all this week... Very discouraging for the farmers that surround us... The live in the country.... I believe to be more difficult to create a cozy refuge as our spaces are so wide open... The trade off being you an see miles all around you... We all enjoy creating our personal havens... We all enjoy different wants and needs... Tom and I use our back area of our home for all most all of our enjoyment... One in a great while we may sit on the front little porch and watch the cars fly by.... Of course the pool is a large part of enjoyment but we mainly spend time on our deck... It is small but you step out on it right from the kitchen at the same level and it is wonderful for dining.... We usually use it twice a day for dinner and supper and I love to have coffee on lovely mornings... It is so pleasant to use the grill and save the cleaning of the kitchen in the summer months... I have stated before I am limited in using many objects I would desire outside as the wind and elements won't allow it... It is a clean sweep out here...If you reside in the city you may not even be aware of the gentle winds that blow in the country... Whatever areas you have available to you from courtyards. to balconies, terraces, porches, cabanas...these are personal and very special no mater how small or large.. Simple or elegant- privacy seems to take precedence... I love just the gentle sound of a touch of water added to my space.. This sound allowing me to relax.. Of course mine are simply created with by little china dish water fountains. There are many ways to set moods. I also respond to soft lighting.... as it is very relaxing and lovely as you enter onto the evening hours.. I am looking forward to reading and viewing many of your blogs this week and enjoying your private spaces... Looks as though the yearning for outdoor living is going to be put off for another week for us here.... I am wishing you all a pleasant week and I am off to work in my bedroom this morning....

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Precious Sunshine

The second day of sunshine... Woo Hoo !!!! We will be off this afternoon about 1:30 or so to attend a baseball tournament to cheer on our beloved Tinora Rams High School team... We attended a game last night also... My laptop is back home and seems to be feeling quite chipper after his clean out...
I finished another cushion made from grain sacks for the change out of the benches on the front porch... now we just have to brush on the poly protection on the wicker of the bench itself... I gave that assignment to Tom... I seem to be moving somewhat away from the fuzzy and frills but still love some small doses of them...
We have rain in the forecast for Monday again but I am hoping by mid-week I can finally get the decks like I would like to have them for this summers months... It will be about time to pull back the cover on the in ground pool and open it up also... It takes about 2 weeks for the process to clean it up and we always have it ready by Memorial Day...
It seems like old times to be able to walk out in the yards... It is truly amazing what a joy such a small act can bring ones self... How delightful...
I need to bid you all a great weekend and head out side to the front porch and change the water in my little vintage china water fountain... Tom was up on the roof earlier cleaning out the eave spouts from all the tree droppings and threw all to the ground... Below the little china water fountain became a target.... Oh my the outside elements are always creating work but I will be thankful I am able to go and clean the fountain even if it is at a slower pace than years past.... Enjoy your weekend.... I think a hot dog browned to a golden brown on the grill and some home-made french fries sounds like a great lunch before attending a ball game... so I am off.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Musings

I love the fact that when you step through my front door you instantly walk back in time... It is hard to decide what period of time you have stepped into however.. you will view Victorian objects...hats...clothing..jewelry..beaded purses..vintage..just a touch of shabby and a bit of french... I think collecting different periods work because they seem to be family..being I choose what I love and it seems to mix...My home is a ranch and not meant to make the statement that a grand old girl does. I do try not to go to the extreme... but most of my embellishing is meant for me and my passion.. My collections and groupings in my eyes shows visual harmony although from different eras.
It is just oast 9 a.m. and I have been up since 6 a.m. I have been out sweeping the porch and decks and washing the patio door windows that the rain smacked against... The birds are singing and the sun is shinning... It feels wondeful...
I won't be showing pictures taken by me for the next couple days... although I did get my wireless installion updated yesterday... I had to take my best friend... my 1420 laptop to the computer hospital... I had it running after the attack of virus but it just wasn't running efficently... Another hospital bill will mean I won't be showing you any new finds for awhile as I won't be looking any time soon..I am posting with my little Dell MINI that I take when we travel... I don't keep my files or pics on here.. Just for travel and back up... I was planning on going to Bryan today or tomorrow but have changed my mind as I wish not to be tempted the least little bit... I did message and recieve a message from my blog friend Sandi http://waysidetreasures-sandi.blogspot.com/ yesterday toward evening and her mother and herself visitied at Bryan ...She said she didn't purchase anything but did enjoy her time... If you haven't visited Sandi's blog.. please do so... It is a wonderful place to spend some lovely moments and maybe find something you love in her etsy shop...
I will be coming to visit many of you in the coming days and have hopes to draw inspiration from some cheap junk... Enjoy your day...