Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Pretty and Pink

I love old stuff. I've been collecting things forever, it seems. But sometimes there's something new that takes my fancy.

When my daughter was living and working in the windy city, we took a trip up to St. Charles. It was a very sweet little town, with shops and a wonderful tea room that served an incredible lunch.

In one of the shops I found a little hanging vase.
It just looked so old fashioned, and of course it was pink :-) That was about six years ago.

So recently I was at my favorite local Hospice thrift store and spied this little vase .........

I love things that are pink and pretty. This little pink vase fits the bill!

Happy thriftin'

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Old Books


I have always had a fascination with books. Since the first time my mother took me to a library when I was about 4 years old, books have always held a special place for me. My Mom taught me that if you have a book, you will always have a friend. It's true, because a book sometimes can be a companion, a teacher, a tour guide and much more.

We have a lot of books in our home. I've always dreamed that one day, if we had a spare room, it would be the Library. Some of the books are new. Some we've found through book sales, or even at thrift stores.

It is so interesting to pick up a very old book and look through the pages.

This book is titled Carlyle's Essay on Burns -

Published in1912, original copyright 1900. I am not much into poetry, but this book had a dried pansy stuck between the pages. The romantic side of me wonders who put that pansy there? How long has it been there? There are little pencil notations through out the book, so could it have been a book used for a class? In the front of the book it is barely legible, but I think it says George Bliss.

I worked in a church office once. The Pastor of that church was going into the foreign missions field. So he was downsizing and getting rid of many of the books in his library. This is one of the books I picked up -

Published in 1936, copyright 1903. It appears to be separated into five different studies.

My dear daughter found this Scottish Psalter a couple of years ago in an Antique shop.

Published in 1937, copyright 1929. I love the pages in this book.

Can you actually see how the pages are divided in two sections. I suppose that you could read one Psalm and change the music each time. Lovely book.

Now all you math fans, this is the book for you! Copyright 1899, revised edition (no other date).

I love the note to the teachers.

Okay this is a pop quiz. Somebody tell me the answer, quick!

It's fun to browse through old books in Thrift stores and Antique shops. Of course some of those books are out of my price range, but when we find a nice book at a good price, it adds to our growing collection. It amazes me how the written word survives through the generations. The Bible being the oldest and most powerful of these writings.

Happy thriftin'.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

What Southerns do on a holiday weekend

Okay everyone is getting a little tired of winter. So what do Southerners do on a holiday weekend?? No beach for us........... we head to the mountains of West Virginia. And SNOW!!

My children love to snowboard, so we headed for the slopes.

Yep, we are flat landers.

Oh boy, we are going through a mountain!

See it doesn't take much to get us excited :-)

Are we there yet??

Um, NO!

woo-hoo, we are starting to see snow on the side of the road!

Getting closer..........

We made it!

And this is the view from the window.

It had snowed the day before we arrived. It was 29 degrees the first night.

Getting ready to make a run.



I took these pictures out the back of the condo. I was not about to get out in that cold stuff ;-D

Although my hubby and I did drive up to the top of the mountain one afternoon.

But we were just being tourists.

The kids had a blast. It was a nice relaxing time for hubby and me too. Catching up on some reading and knitting. Only enjoying God's beautiful creation.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Gratefulness


There are bloggers who write posts about being grateful. So I was thinking about some of the things I am most grateful for......

I am grateful for each new day that the Lord gives me. It is certainly a gift. I am to celebrate life and use the day in a worthy way.

I am grateful for a dear sweet husband who has been my faithful companion and friend for over 30 years.

I am grateful for three precious children, which the Lord gave to us. There are others waiting in heaven that I look forward to meeting one day.

I am grateful for family and friends who enrich my life and encourage me in my daily walk.

I am grateful for spring, and all that it represents. New life, a renewal of the earth. The fresh smells of rain and flowers.

I am grateful for the new friends that I have made via this blog. What an incredible array of inspiration you share with me.

But I am most grateful for a free gift. It is the gift that was given to me when I realized that I have done wrong things and I fall short of standing before a righteous God. God reached out to me and wants me to be His child. The promise of eternal life is the best gift of all! All you have to do is accept Christ as your Savior and believe in Him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and it is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

That surely is the best gift ever! And I am very grateful.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Sesame Chicken

Isn't it fun when one of your children finds a recipe and it turns out to be a winner!! Well that's what happened one day last week. My youngest son directed me to this recipe on Blog Chef. We both worked together making Sesame Chicken and boy, was it ever good. It was as good if not better then the Honey Chicken at Pei Wei.

I tried my hand at making fried rice, but I think I need to work out the seasonings a little more.

I won't write out the recipe because if you go to the website they have tutorial pictures and all. Check it out. I'm sure you will love it!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Let me call you Sweetheart







They have been sweethearts for over 70 years. Now in the sunset years of their lives, they are still there for one another.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Strawberries for my Valentine

Strawberry season has arrived in Florida! Plant City has THE most delicious strawberries, and right now they are plump and sweet. It's a perfect time to make a Strawberry Pie for my Valentine!

The original recipe called for "Wild" Strawberry jello, but it's no longer available. So here is my version.

Cast of characters includes -

Fresh Strawberries
Strawberry Jello (large package)
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup Sugar
1 1/2 cups water

Combine cornstarch, sugar and water. Cook over medium high heat - stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Stir in 3/4 package Strawberry Jello and remove from heat. Let cool.

In a deep precooked pie shell, layer washed and hulled strawberries. Pour Jello mixture over strawberries making sure all the strawberries are covered. Refrigerate.


Serve with a dollop of Whipped Cream

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Outdoor Wednesday


On a drive down to Sarasota last week, I was taken by these beautiful geraniums that were in full bloom outside a little shop. The bicycles are the common mode of transportation in this area.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Delectible Roses

I have collected Tea cups for many years. So many times I've been drawn to cups with beautiful Roses.







I hope you will grab your favorite Tea Cup and enjoy a cup of something warm today.