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Shakespeare wrote, "Our happiness is greater when we contribute to the happiness of
others."  She must know this quote.  It was a visit in the midst of a hot, sunny day.  I
was greeted with a pretty glass of iced coffee.  She did not have creamer on hand, but
that did not stop her.  No, she served the iced coffee with a small dollop of vanilla ice
cream.  It tasted so good and refreshing! 

She is one of my friends, who is a gifted gardener and decorator!  I like my visits here,
because I enjoy seeing how she takes nature and old pieces and puts them together.

She likes vignettes and excels at creating them, in such simple and yet beautiful ways!

Summer always finds seashells and flowers in her kitchen.  Most of the shells she found
on beach visits.  The hydrangeas she picks from her garden.

Her two window boxes are healthy, vibrant and gorgeous, from the outside...

...and from the inside powder room, looking out.  She told me that begonias are quite easy
to grow, and after seeing them at her home, I am almost convinced that is true.

I admire those in my life who have a "green thumb", and this friend certainly does. 

Whether the flowers are growing up a lattice, in a window box, or in the garden,
her growing skills were visible.

On her patio, she placed an old wooden bench from years ago, and gave it new life with
a few pots of greenery.

Each year, her Becca daisies and Black-eyed Susans, appear in abundance.

Small bouquets of colorful flowers were placed on tables and windowsills.  What a lovely
summer decorating touch!

No matter who it is, where they live, or what you are served when you walk through
the doors of a home, it is a very special privilege.  A gracious welcome makes anyone
feel special.  In today's world, in the midst of many trying situations and troubling
world events, moments spent in anyone's home, present an oasis and a time of
refreshment and relaxation.  A few moments of time, to sit, to share, and to listen,
is so important.

"Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life."   ~Whispering Waters Inn

 

And, to leave with a tiny bit of the beauty you just shared in, is even better.

A bouquet of black-eyed Susan flowers, from her lush gardens, to my

kitchen counter, serving as reminder of the fun moments we had together.

 

Reminds me of a quote I read recently;

"Do unto others  as you would have them do unto you."  Treat guests

as you would like to be treated, then embellish it!"

~The Inn at Merridun

 

ps.  If you don't have coffee cream for the iced coffee, try a spoonful of

ice cream.  Your friends will love it!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

"James Russell Lowell was once asked by Francois Guizot, "How long do you think the

American Republic will endure?"  Lowell had no trouble with the answer; "So long as the

ideas of its founding fathers continue to be dominant."     ~Unknown


On this July 4th, I am grateful to live in America.  I am grateful for the freedoms that I

still have allotted to me.  I honor those men and women who through the ages, fought to

give me that freedom and continue to fight to preserve those precious freedoms.

Happy 4th of July to you!

 

 

We celebrated her birthday with cake, back then when she was tiny enough

to sit on my lap, and too little to talk.  When sticking her tiny finger

into the icing, was important to her.

Last evening we celebrated her birthday again.  This time, she is 8 years old, and told me
that she did not have any specific request for what kind of cake she wanted.  She told me to
surprise her.  I know a lot about this special granddaughter.  I know she likes ice cream.  I
know she likes flowers and butterflies.  So, I decided to put them all together, just for her.
I never have been one to make traditional birthday cakes.  I admire those who do, but this
is my way. 

I took a white, square ironstone container, that I had.  I filled it with balls of chocolate and
vanilla ice cream.  I cut flowers from a faux arrangement that I had in a closet for a few years.
I placed individual stems of flowers into cut straws, and pushed the straw, with the flower,
into the ice cream, continuing until the container was filled with flowers.  I then took
chocolate magic shell and covered all of the top of the ice cream.  The chocolate was to
resemble garden soil.

This was a simple concept for a birthday celebration.  I added tall thin candles, lighting them
right before I was ready to serve it.  After we sang to this precious girl, her and I easily
removed all the flowers and the straws, and then the ice cream was devoured.

Each year, I wonder how I will keep coming up with ideas, but

as you can see, the children are so easy to please.

After all, it is the people that we celebrate, and not how

we celebrate that makes the difference.  When we share these

special moments, it always brings love and laughter to our hearts.

Last evening was no exception.  I pray that she has many more

birthday celebrations in the years ahead.

 

Thank you for stopping by.

 

It is Saturday!  My daisies in the flower bed are now in full bloom.  Their little faces greet me
each time I walk out the back door.

Our youngest daughter, husband, and little guy headed back to the midwest, after
spending a week here.  We had so much fun!

I miss this little guy's peanut butter covered face.  I miss his laughter and his tender heart.
But, distance is a part of our lives at this point, and I have to just appreciate the times
that we do have together...right?

It helps me to have a project to focus on, and this was a simple one that I went for.

Our small powder room received a new coat of paint a few weeks ago.  The one wall needed
an updated look.  I took one of the rose photos that I had taken of my rose bloom,
and had it enlarged to a poster size, at Costco.  The price...$ 6.00, and done in an hour.
I framed it in a dark wood frame that I purchased months ago, at a going out of business
sale.

I like the way it makes the wall "pop". 

The lamp above the mirror is similar to one at my grandma's house, years ago.  It is 15 years
since we moved to this home, and like always, tastes change.  Today, I would choose another
design for a lamp, but I still like the way the cut glass offers a soft lighting in the room.

I often place a few fresh flowers in the small vase, on the commode.  Flowers always
add to the décor of any room, in my estimation.  I also keep a bottle of room fragrance
spray in the powder room, along with extra hand towels.

A year of so, I purchased this pretty container of hand soap at Marshall's Store.  I
like how it's flowers and colors tie in with this room, and so I keep refilling it with
more hand soap.  I think designers do a great job in creating attractive containers for soap.

By the sink, above the light switch, I hung this faux wreath, on a rose hook that
my daughter gave to me, along with a tiny glass vase, tied with jute.  Of course,
I had to place a rose in the vase.  That is it.  Just a few new touches.

The beauty of the rose though, by itself, is by far the best of all décor I could possibly
add to any room.

Heavy rains are due here all afternoon and evening.  With the warm temperatures and the
abundance of rain that we have had lately, I am sure I will be able to keep a rose in the
hanging vase all summer long.

Thanks so much for stopping here.  I am not sure why you do, but I sure do appreciate
it! :)

We came together this weekend, all of our extended family, including our mother,
five grown children, their spouses, 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.  Only one
of the great-grandchildren were unable to make it.  We spent three days in the mountains,
and had a wonderful time together!

Some of the younger ones met each other for the first time. Instant bonding took place, and
it was fun watching them enjoying each other.

The older ones helped the younger ones.  This room offered crafts of many kinds, and
all the materials needed to complete each project.

Older basketball stars offered free instructions to young ones; eager to learn the sport, and

they seemed ready to show off their newly learned skills.

Some appeared older than their age, and did what they could to help out the mothers.

 

Our Silver Medal Winners in the "Dessert War Challenge".  Create one of your favorite
vacation spots using food products.

Seeing their masterpiece, I am not sure why they did not win the "gold".  What creative minds
these women have!

 

The slide into the lake, was the favorite of this grandson.  Over and over again.  It

exhausted me just to watch.

 

There was sweet, ripe watermelon in abundance, and ...

...happy moments for those who were thrilled to hold their own slice of goodness.

On Sunday morning, the overnight rain continued to fall, but it did not take away from the
joy of celebrating the very special men in our lives.

Wishing them a "Happy Father's Day" and letting them know how much we
appreciated and love them.

Thankful for the gift of family today.

Thanks for stopping by.

The colorful and festive flour sack tea towels that I found at the local Walmart.

The delicious, quick, and simple recipe that I found for making quick bread, using
cherry pie filling(or any fruit pie filling you choose).  You can find it here;

http://chickensintheroad.com/farm-bell-recipes/cherry-pie-filling-bread/

It is a fun and interesting blog to visit, and this particular recipe is a keeper.

I baked the batter in small bundt shapes, but you can use whatever type pan that you wish,
including muffins.

I took one of my plastic Cool Whip lids, covered it with foil, and placed the bundt
shaped bread on it.

Covered it with plastic wrap.  Folded the generous flour sack towel into quarters, placed
the bread in the middle of the square...

...then folded up the four corners over the bread.

Added a tag...completing a gift from the heart.

I also baked some of the dough in these pretty oven-safe paper food trays from Walmart.

Here I folded the towel up over the loaf of bread and tied with a ribbon.

A simple idea from me to you.

My husband has commented about how much he liked this bread,

each time he ate it in the last three days:)

It is especially good, slightly warmed and with a touch of butter.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

 

School was out for the summer.

 

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon, and we all headed for a local state park to fish.

 

Five little ones, and one very patient instructor.

                                                      A brief lesson was given.

The first practice cast was executed..  Laughter erupted as the line hit and wrapped around the
oar of a nearby boat.

                                       Each one took their new responsibility seriously.

                                   Although, some had their own unique style.

Sunday afternoon fishing at it's finest!  While no fish were caught, lots of seaweed was reeled
in:)

As their father supervised, their mother was the overseer.  A most important role
considering the deep lake and five enthusiastic young children:).

The picnic followed, with bacon/lettuce and tomato sandwiches, along with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  After the meal, it was fresh strawberry shortcake.

 

A memorable way to pass time on a warm Sunday afternoon.

 

As we drove home, we inhaled the sweet aroma of the flowering honeysuckle that lined the country roads.

There's just something wonderful about the summertime.

Thanks for stopping by.