Humble♥Heart

~a slice of heaven~

2011-03-04T20:57:00.000-06:00

this is the gorgeous hotel in nashville where we stayed... it is unbelievable how beautiful it really is... when you check in this is the view right by the front desk looking into the complex...

this is the area off to the left of the where the first pic is taken... we ate here the last nite. the big stones in the water, shoot water from one rock to another... the rooms up above have balconies ~just gorgeous!

this is my favorite spot... the falls! i remember this from the last time i was here... it is soo relaxing. we sat here many times during our stay, from the first nite we arrived, having margaritas, and a couple of other nites. i sat here many times while here, having coffee, reading & just soaking in the beauty! you can see the balconies on the rooms here, also...

i am glad i went,had many good times & lots of fun! a great group of gals, who will be remembered always... i was soo blessed to be able to go & share this wonderful experience.

my computer has been acting up posting with blogger, so finally got it to mebbe behave for a little while... have many more pics of heart of country & Barbs' gorgeous booth at the show! it was awesome!was soo happy to share the experience. i was soo thrilled for Barb! she is an amazing lady & glad she did so well...

have a wonderful week*end...

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip & fall.

{Ps.55:22}

A loving spirit is at the same time a caring spirit.

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥nashville here we come & darling i'll be home soon♥~

2011-02-12T00:32:00.000-06:00

i am soo fortunate for sucha wonderful hubby! each year for valentines' day {& every once in awhile one for 'just because'} i recieve a beautiful red rose! they smell soo good & am happy with just one...you can only enjoy them one at a time anyhow {as i told hubby} even tho i have told him not to buy them, he still does!i take the time to smell the rose & see the beauty & the love it was given to me by my hubby! ♥LoVe YoU MoRe♥

early monday morning {♥valentines'day♥} we will be leaving for nashville. Barb from simplyiowa.blogspot.com has been asked to come to the heart of country antique show, to exhibit all her wonderful antiques & treasures! she is an amazing gal,that i am soo happy to call my friend & one of my earth angels! she has some fun, awesome shows at her home a few times a year, that i love to attend & soo enjoy! Barb mentioned going awhile back & i said i would love.to go! but did not commit to it, til a coupla weeks ago, when i saw her at her 'too cool' booth at anamosa.

We are staying at the Gaylord Opryland. I soo enjoyed it when we went ~ all the plants & trees & waterfalls. it is an amazing place to see {heaven on earth} it is acres & acres under one roof, with rooms & balconies, amazing places to shop, restaurants. gorgeous place!

Bill & I usually take day trips, so have not really been 'away' in quite some time. we went there {february} when Bill had a conference with work, 8 years ago, almost to the day & the year after my mom died.{february} so it is really ironic happening again almost at the same time. it will be three years since dad died, & the long estate battle with my x-brother,{just over in sept}. a God thing! =) of the timing to be going to the same place, again, about the same time, 8 years later!{february}

Today Bill won tickets to see Lovin' Spoonful... remember them? at first I said I have too much to do, but thought better of it, since I will be gone... We usually do not do very much, so this was kinda fun. They were a bit draggin' in the beginning, but really picked up the pace later. the drum solo was awesome! {wish i could play like that!} played nashville cats & thought that was cool to hear the name nashville what with me going there! so with that i will leave you with the song i loved...

*darling be home soon*

♥{next sunday in fact!}♥

*If we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ*

{Heb.3:14}

We must maintain the confident faith we had when we first believed. When we start our new life in Christ,we must finish strong.

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥more nesting on a COLD! day~♥~

2011-02-08T20:44:00.000-06:00

it was another CoLd! day here. in the single digits & below zero windchills.

LoVe nature inspired, vintage looks...
so thought i would show another project i did awhile back.   i bought some of the textured wallpaper & made a cone shape, filled with paper shreds for the nest & tucked a bird image in it. LoVe that textured wallpaper! i even tucked in a coupla 'pistachio' eggs.{pistachio nut shells Owen & i painted, will show pics in another blog post}

it is to be in the single digits again tomorrow with the below zero windchills! mebbe this will be the last time this winter!?!? to be mebbe 39 by the week*end! heat wave, i'm sayin'!     the red velvet cupcakes won today! yummie! will be making a batch of the white ones for the week*end to see the grands for ♥valentines' day!♥     am anxious to see them! lotsa kisses & hugs! they are soo good for g'ma!   keep warm & cozy!

*Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous & holy.
                                                                      {Eph.4:24}*
although we can't be entirely pure in this life, we can pursue purity as one of our primary goals.

                                         hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥ Valentines' day heart shaped red velvet cupcakes♥~

2011-02-07T20:58:00.000-06:00

♥Every valentine's day I make heart shaped cupcakes.♥

Most of the time I do vanilla ones with vanilla frosting tinted pink. These pics are of the ones I made last year. Red velvet cake mix with white frosting... yum! yum! Since valentines' day is getting closer, a week from today, I better get busy & get some made for my sweeties! Just will have to decide on red velvet ones again or vanilla ones. H'mmmmmmmmm...

To be very cold again, in the single digits so cupcake baking may be in order!

Hope you are keeping warm & cozy! ♥Valentines' Day is next monday!♥ Did we not just have Christmas? Time flys! Have a great one!

*In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

{John 1:1}

God always existed; He has no beginning. That is why He is God. Eternity preceded the beginning of time & succeeds the end of time.

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥cat scratch fever?♥~

2011-02-03T22:04:00.000-06:00

doesn't she look pretty & oh soo innocent in her basket with blankie & sleeping? this is my phoebe...she was the outcast of the litter of kittens we had when we lived in fort dodge. her brothers & sisters got fed, but she was pushed aside. i fed her & kept her by me in bed at nites since they picked on her. she will be 17! phoebe still jumps up on the bed at nite, but doesn't stay up there, she has not for years. she loves her basket & sleeps alot {which cats do anyhow} & really doesn't get around & do much anymore...she has long hair & was getting very matted. so i grabbed the curry comb {the only one that works fast & gets thru her tangles quickly} we were doing fine & was almost done & had hit a knot...well, now i have a swollen knuckle & scratch where she bit me...nailed me good! she knew she did wrong, have not seen her much today, but now is back in her basket...and i prolly have cat scratch fever!

wow! where did the week go again??? friday tomorrow~have a good one!

anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. the old life is gone;a new life has begun!

{2 Cor.5:17}

our greatest beginning is our new life in Christ;it is the beginning of eternal life.

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥end of january nesting♥~

2011-01-30T20:03:00.000-06:00

last sunday it was 7 below zero, {but the sun was out...have not seen it much this january!} when we headed to anamosa to an antique show & visited another one of iowas' best shops ~gatherings~. wanda has great taste in her displays & love. all the prims & antiques she has. it is a wonderful olde store with 3 floors to find alot of treasures in.
the antique show was great, it was good to see people out & about. beautiful antiques & displays! love. antiques & seeing them!

getting more into the spring mode. i stuffed this lavendar ladies glove {forming it to look like it is holding the nest} & filled it with the dried spanish moss & put a birdnest on it. gonna put some eggs & mebbe some more nesting things, feathers, etc, in the nest. love finding fun things & trying to do something else with it other than what it was originally used for.

even tho i am in the spring mode the weather is sounding like snow is yet again going to be coming so will mebbe have to find some more projects to nest with!

O Lord, I will honor & praise Your name,for You are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now You have accomplished them.
{Isaiah 25:1}
God planned before He accomplished, a good model for us to follow.

keep warm & happy nesting! hugs & blessings, humble♥

great strength comes from faith in GOD

2011-01-25T20:56:00.000-06:00

i have this framed saying & the star wall arrangement hanging in our house.

sometimes when i am hurting, this is what i need to see.

there are many times that i need to be reminded of this.

when things do not go the way they are planned {in our way}, i have to be reminded it may not have been the way it was in GOD's plan..

i am truly blessed with so much...for which i am so thank*ful.

~*great strength comes from faith in GOD*~
hugs & blessings, humble♥

~the sun is inside our house tonite!~

2011-01-14T18:58:00.000-06:00

Even tho the sun has not been shining much lately, it is shining here at this household, becuz we have a sunny personality visiting us...lil' man Owen is here!
This is the crow I made with the santa riding it... I love. it. I have it hanging above the door in my art room, when he is not upstairs for the Christmas season.{i believe i have a pic of it on an earlier post} Fun seeing the sun & shadows! I love. keeping out seasonal, or items that I can see all the time. I find that it makes it seem more 'homey' with things you love that you can see out all the time year around. {just in my art room, where i am alot, or try to be} the sign says 'in everything give thanks' ~ a fave of mine, stays on the shelf year around. i soo give thanks for everything, we are soo blessed!
hope you have a wonderful week*end filled with sunshine & lotsa love ♥ I know we will... can hear mario bros in the background with Owen & g'pa... so better go & check it out! who do you think will win if i play with Owen? *hint*...it will not be me! hehehe....{think that is why he likes playing with me!} off to have fun.. hope you do, too!

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
{Phil.4:13}
Do not use your limitations as an excuse for avoiding what God calls us to do.

have a good one! hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥11111♥~

2011-01-11T13:54:00.001-06:00

this is one of those snowy days where you have soo much ta do, but just can not seem to do anything!   did some odd jobs & want to create but think i have too many 'jobs i should do' first! so then i do not do much of anything... do you do that? i feel that i 'have' to get the 'no fun' jobs out of the way before i can play...
went out & shoveled the drive. took some out cookies & some apple slices out to the birds... one just seemed to stop by the window to say thank*u!
gonna do some stretches & throw in some laundry mebbe that will get me going...
went to the coal valley antique booth yesterday & took more stuff, so know i have been doing some stuff, since i cleaned up & out the booths last week... mebbe that is what is catching up with me... hope everyone is having a great day & it is okay to take it easy once in awhile... hope you do, too!

*May you experience the love of Christ, thou it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life & power that comes from God.*
                                                             {Eph 3:19-20}

i think the numbers of the calendar date is neat... today is 1*11*11 ... all of the #1's!   humble♥

~♥sweet,sweet day filled with lotsa hugs♥~

2011-01-06T23:29:00.000-06:00

Yep, this is my fave lil' guy! We had soo much fun today. I called Owen this morning, to tell him I was on my way & he told me it was a longgggggggg wait!
We went to Kalona, the Rug Cottage & Barntiques shops/antique mall today to take down Christmas. Owen was totally ♥smitten♥ with Nancy & Johns' daughter Jessica! It is such a wonderful atmosphere there...they are like family...I am very blessed to have them in my life. You can visit Nancy's shop at rugcottage.blogspot.com {omgoodness i finally figured out how to highlite a site!! yippee!} On her sidebar she has many other blogs that are fun to visit, too, including iowabarntiques.blogspot.com {yeah! i did it again...scarey that i may be getting a little more 'puter savvy!} This is a pic of Owen last year~whadda sweet♥ heart, huh? He made that in Sunday school... My heart belongs to Jesus! We did some more things which I will fill you in on later. ... friday again tomorrow! where does the week go?

train yourself to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come" {1Tim.4:7-8} have a great friday! humble♥

~♥CHRISTMAS DECOS ARE BEING TAKEN DOWN♥~

2011-01-05T19:27:00.000-06:00

Today I was at the JUNK ASYLUM booth taking down leftover Christmas...not alot left, but was a S*L*O*W month for sales! I marked alot of things down & brought home some santas & greenery. Of course I had to do a little shopping before I left... that is part of it, isn't it?? =)

These are pics from my booth in Kalona, Iowa. All decked out for Christmas. Tomorrow I am picking up fave grandson Owen... to go & take down any Christmas that is left... hopefully not much. It was slow in December for alot of the booths, from what was said. I did not get out much in December, mebbe they did not either. Now I believe people are out & shopping for themselves, re*decorating, etc...which this is a good time for that! Saw alot of great buys today! I am just happy, so blessed, when a few things sell...& happy for others who do well for they may need the sales more than I do!

I can hardly wait to see Owen tomorrow... need a g'ma day. Lunch with a handsome guy & a good helper what more could ya want?

"Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!

{Matt.25:21}

Have a wonderful Thursday m'friends. hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥some necklaces I have created♥~

2011-01-04T19:56:00.000-06:00

These are some necklaces I have made just before Christmas... I LOVE making jewelry!

I LOVE. using vintage items...the hardware...old key hole covers from dressers & antique furniture pieces!

I like taking pics but they do not always turn out very good... I had an order for a bird charm & could not find anymore of the one the customer liked that I had on that day. So... I made my own! The small bird in the above pic in the small square charms are the ones I made.

I usually put my necklaces on tags I distress or add background stamps or music/book text. These I used some egg prints I cut out with the music background & words or a feather.

On the back of the tags I sewed a lace pocket to let the necklace chain fall into. I think the pocket on the back helps to keep the necklaces from getting all tangled.

It is fun to try different things & be creative...using the talents God gave you.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
                           {Eph.4:11-12}
                                                        * God has empowered each of us with special abilities. How we use these abilities is up to us.*
                                                            hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥Our Gifts♥~

2011-01-03T22:04:00.000-06:00

We had a beautiful snow fall on Christmas eve. They had winter weather advisories out & had 7 or so inches of snow. It was beautiful! We just felt bad because we celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve, so the kids had to travel, even tho we & they knew they did not "have" to if it was really bad. Thank God they got here safely & back home again! I have to say I LOVE snow, it is soo beautiful!

We have recently had 50 degree weather & rains, so are left with out much snow. Except where it was plowed & piled up. Now we are back to the brown & blah looking yards til it snows again. Even tho it is not as pretty right now{because of not seeing the white snow} ~ each day is a gift from God & holds beauty wherever you look. The starkness of the bare trees against the blue sky, the gorgeous sunrises & sunsets... many things. All of His Creations.We are soo blessed with His Gifts! I thank Him for them!

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥Gods' beauty...♥~

2011-01-02T22:12:00.000-06:00

I am amazed at how God paints His trees for us to enjoy!
Isn't it beautiful? I LOVE ♥ how God speaks to us thru nature & His word.

I have a daily planner I have bought the last 3 or 4 years from the Christian book store. I use it to write down birthdays, appointments, etc... but also use it to journal in. Not alot of exciting things, my thoughts, something that may have happened, etc. The reason I love this planner is that it has a Bible passage at the bottom of the page. I read it daily & love how it goes with my day, since I usually write in the evening.
Last nite I thought about things I would like to achieve this year {no biggies...mainly usually stuff} & added I would love to create more {find & make time for what you love to do} & even put that on my blog last evening {before I read my planner}
The greatest thing was that the January page was about God*given abilities! That was the title & read as follows
~ ♥ Deep within the human spirit is a desire and a capability to do wonderful things. Because we were made in the image of God, we inherited from Him the desire to *create*, to accomplish, to make things happen. But God wouldn't give us these desires without also giving us the means to carry them out. These "means" are called abilities or talents. They are the gifts God has given us to help us accomplish great things for Him, and to help us enjoy life. How we use or misuse these abilities ultimately determines our quality of life-quality being defined not as comfort or the accumulation of things, but in terms of character, joy, and lasting satisfaction. Our goal is to first discover our abilities, then excercise them, and finally channel them toward good and not evil.♥

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
~Philippians 1:6~
and again isn't it beautiful? don't 'cha just love it when that happens?! =)
~ hugs & blessings, humble♥~

~♥ WISHING YOU A BLESSED TWENTY ELEVEN ♥~

2011-01-01T17:18:00.000-06:00

♥Hope everyone had a great *CHRIST*mas♥

I know we sure did! Wishing you many blessings for a wonderful new year with lotsa love & joy! May you find & make the time to do what you love!

~♥hugs & blessings, humble♥~

~♥ HAVE A VERRIE MERRIE CHRISTMAS! ♥~

2010-12-21T23:12:00.000-06:00

whadda great helper I have! after our Thanksgiving meal & clean-up I have Owen help decorate the tree... I love looking at it later knowing his sweet lil' hands placed the ornaments in their special spots!

such concentration on this tree decorating task! =)

even Otis is helping! =)

i hope everyone is getting everything all done for the holidays! it is almost time for santas' arrival! have some baking done...need to do more, made my Christmas cards & they have been mailed. most of the gifts are wrapped. still have to clean, finish up a few things & we have snack*ie type foods for our Christmas {on Christmas eve} vegie pizza, cheez & crackers & taco dip & spinach dip in bread & chips & crackers & all kinds of cookies & candies & on & on... yum*yum! we are so blessed to have soo much to be thank*ful for!

remember that it is okay not to have everything 'perfect' ~ that things may not all get done ~ are we ever all done?

the reason for the season is *JESUS* our loving saviour & almighty GOD!

that is our joy!

~♥ wishing all of you the merriest *CHRIST*mas!♥~

hugs & blessings with love, humble♥

~♥PRETTY SNOW & LITES♥~

2010-12-09T00:33:00.004-06:00

A PIC OF OUR SWEET HOME, OUR COZY NEST IN WINTER WONDER. WITH THE SNOW & LIGHTS & THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

REMEMBER THE POSTS WITH THE 'SEA OF PURPLE'? ALL MY FLOWERS IN FRONT? NOW IT IS A SEA OF WHITE...

OUR DECK THAT IN THE SUMMER IT IS SOO HOT WE CAN NOT EVEN SIT OUT THERE...WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM NOW, HUH? JUST THE OPPOSITE! =)

THE LITES AT NITE... LOVE. THE SNOW & SPARKLES, ESPECIALLY THE FIRST ONE. THIS SNOW WAS THE END OF THE WEEK... THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK IT WAS 50 DEGREES! TOMORROW FORECAST FOR MEBBE SOME MORE & THEN AGAIN THE WEEK*END... IT HAS BEEN VERYYY COLD & IT IS NOT OFFICIALLY WINTER YET! =)

KEEP WARM & COZY M'FRIENDS.

HUGS & BLESSINGS, HUMBLE♥

~♥ANOTHER NEW ADVENTURE♥~

2010-12-05T20:16:00.004-06:00

ONE DAY THIS FALL OWEN & I HAD A DAY TOGETHER & HE HELPED ME AT THE BOOTH... HE DEFINATELY IS NOT FOR SALE! ISN'T HE SOO CUTE???!!!

YEP... I STARTED ANOTHER ANTIQUE/COLLECTIBLES BOOTH! DOES THAT MEAN I HAVE TOOO MUCH STUFF??? MEBBE... ~ BUT I AM ALSO DOWNSIZING... ~ GETTING RID OF THINGS THAT 'MEBBE' SOMEDAY I WILL USE.

THIS LIL' CORNER I PAINTED & PUT UP MY CROW WALL*PAPER BORDER {IT IS THE SAME COLOR & BORDER I HAVE IN OUR KITCHEN} THEN IT FILLED UP IN A HURRY. IT IS AT BARNTIQUES ~ KALONA IOWA. NANCY & JOHN ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO ALSO HAVE A SHOP CALLED RUG COTTAGE & A BEAUTIFUL VICTORIAN HOME WITH A GORGEOUS VIEW. A GREAT PLACE FOR ANTIQUING & GIFTS! VISIT ALL OF NANCYS' BLOGS, THEY ARE FILLED WITH FUN!

WE ARE SOO BLESSED THAT IOWA HAS SOO MANY PLACES FILLED WITH GREAT ANTIQUES & SHOPS!

A LITTLE BIT DOWN THE ROAD IS SISTERS' GARDEN WHICH I WILL POST ABOUT SOON! TWO LOVELY SHOPS ~ WITH LOVELY GALS! SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! LOVE. THESE PLACES ~ SO WORTH THE TRIP TO SEE...

HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL FUN WEEK*END! HUGS & BLESSINGS, HUMBLE ♥

~♥WE ARE SOO BLESSED ♥~

2010-12-04T22:28:00.003-06:00

WE HAD A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING~ WE HAVE SOO MUCH TO BE THANK*FUL FOR! EVERY YEAR I HAVE HAD THANKSGIVING WE EACH WRITE DOWN WHAT WE ARE THANK*FUL FOR. I LOVE READING WHAT IS WRITTEN... MOST OF THE TIME, YEAR TO YEAR IT DOESN'T CHANGE A WHOLE LOT ~ JUST GRATEFUL FOR MORE THINGS!

WE ARE SOO BLESSED!

THIS YEAR OWEN {4} WROTE HIS OWN THANKSGIVING NOTE... IT IS READABLE & OH SOO CUTE... HOW HE IS THANKFUL FOR G'MA& G'PA, DADDY, MOMMY , OTIS {OUR DOG} & THEN ADDI! {AND WROTE IT IN THAT ORDER,TOO!} IT IS SOO PRECIOUS!

THANK*FUL FOR ALL OF YOU M'FRIENDS!

HUGS & BLESSINGS, HUMBLE♥

~♥ G'MAS' LIL' PRINCESS IS GROWING UP FAST! ♥~

2010-12-03T18:03:00.009-06:00

JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME PICS OF MY LIL PRINCESS...

THIS IS TRICK OR TREAT NITE... ISN'T SHE JUST THE CUTEST LIL FLOWER? THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT THAT NITE FOR THE FAMILY TO GO OUT & HAVE FUN!

G'MA JUST LOVES ME WHEN I WEAR THESE CUTSIE LIL BOWS... AGAIN SOO CUTE!

LIL ADDI IS SOO HAPPY... THIS WAS HER MOMS' CHAIR WHEN SHE WAS A LIL GIRL.

GETTING BIGGER & BIGGER & CUTE*R & CUTE*R...

LIL ADDI IS GROWING UP SOO FAST! FOR HER BEING AN EARLY BABY & WEARING PREEMIE CLOTHES... NOW YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW...

OUR PRECIOUS LIL BABY GIRL! G'MA IS SOO TICKLED PINK TO HAVE HER IN OUR LIVES. WE ARE SOO BLESSED THAT SHE IS HEALTHY & HAPPY... I JUST HAD TO SHARE MY LIL PRINCESS ~ ♥ G'MA LOVES YOU SUGAR WINGS!♥ ♥ ♥
~ ♥ HUGS & BLESSINGS ♥~ HUMBLE♥

~♥ lovin' this weather! ♥~

2010-09-09T07:28:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was one of those "perfect" weather dayz! In the 70's with a breeze & blue skies & lotsa sunshine! Thank God for each day! A sweet morning glory nodding in the breeze... been going thru some of my photos from last year... {have not had hubby load any new ones lately, I can not get the hang of it! so let him do it} This is by the garden & the sky was a beautiful blue with our rusty find from his uncles' barn... love. the star design!

The lil' wrens love being around this sweet birdhouse, they are soo cute!

Everything this year has really dried up early! Put out some fall things already & have lotsa yard work to do, cutting everything back...

Been enjoying the windows open & coolness! Hubby loves it, too! I have to put on socks & fleece & more blankies, than him... but am soo loving having the windows open!

Have a wonderful thursday m'friends! Hope you make the time to do something you love!

Hugs & blessings, Humble ♥

~Hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day week*end~

2010-09-05T16:58:00.003-05:00

We have finally had some cooler weather! The temps have not been so bad, but the humidity has been awful... as has been around many places this year. The air conditioner got a break for a while, hopefully a long while! Love. having the windows open & feeling the breeze & hearing the birds ...

Have a great Labor day & hope you had a wonderful week*end... & did not have to work soo hard as Owen did in this pic! Ha... ha...

Still enjoying my flowers... & hope to for a little while longer... before they are gone... seems like alot of things have just dried up soo fast this last week, like everything knows it is time to sleep til next year. Take time to enjoy these gorgeous days!

Hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥ SWEET GLASS CABINET/CUPBOARD ♥~

2010-09-02T20:50:00.005-05:00

I KNOW SOME OF YOU WILL *GASP* ON WHY? O? WHY? DID I PAINT THIS???

YEP, IT WAS A COOL CABINET THE WAY IT WAS... BUT BELIEVE ME! NOT AS COOL AS IT APPEARS! MY NEW LIL' GRAND*DAUGHTER ADDIE'S ROOM IS BRIGHT PINKS & BROWNS... IT LOOKS TOTALLY CUTE !!! THIS LOOKS LIKE IT WOULDA BEEN PERFECT FOR THAT!

BUT I PAINTED THIS BEFORE I EVEN KNEW I WAS HAVING A PRINCESS GRAND*DAUGHTER! AND THE PAINT WAS CHIPPING & WOULDA BEEN PROBABLY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH PAINT CHIPS! {HUBBY ALWAYS SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT... TO ME YOU WOULD HAVE TO EAT ALOT OF CUPBOARDS... I WOULD THINK, HA.HA.} THE PINKISH COLOR WAS NOT REALLY A PINK... MORE OF AN ORANGEY COLOR WHICH I LOVE, BUT NOT FOR THIS SPOT I WANTED A CABINET FOR. IT WAS ALSO VARNISHED IN SOME AREAS & SOME IT WAS SHINEY LAQUERED LOOK... SO IT WAS NOT AS REALLY "COOL" AS IT MAY APPEAR... {SERIOUS} COZ I LOVE, CHIPPY, WORN & NOT SOO GOOD CONDITION STUFF!!! I LOVED. THE SIZE OF IT, ALL THE GLASS KNOBS, LIL' DRAWERS & SHELVES & GLASS DOORS... TOOO SWEET ♥

I AM MORE OF A PRIMITIVE TYPE, RUSTIC ~ DARK COLORED FURNITURE LOOK GAL WITH A TOUCH OF BLING, ROMANCE, VINTAGE LOOK {DUNNO WHAT LOOK THAT COULD BE SHORTENED TO!} ... & I WAS LOOKING FOR A PIECE TO GO IN OUR BEDROOM. SINCE I REPAINTED & GOT RID OF ALL THE AMERICANA IN THERE & WENT MORE VINTAGE. THE CABINET IS SOO CUTE & THE PAINT COVERED UP THE VARNISHED AREAS WHERE I SANDED... BUT SOME SPOTS ARE STILL LUMPY, WHICH TO ME ARE JUST FINE! SO ADORE "NOTSO PERFECT!"

WILL WRITE & SHOW MORE PICS OF THE BEDROOM & OTHER FURNITURE I HAVE PAINTED SOME TIME SOON...

HUGS & BLESSINGS, HUMBLE ♥

~♥ MISS YOU... WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU..~♥

2010-09-01T20:22:00.006-05:00

Ruger {aka Rugie} was sucha good dog~! His name was a combination of the German part of his breed & the gun {pistol} ... since he was sucha onery puppy! He was soo big...weighed 120 lbs... & was gorgeous. A constant companion of ours. We walked many, many miles together... we walked many times a day & almost everyday all kinds of weather. One time we figured it to be over 9,000 plus miles... that is alot of footwork!
As he got older, he loved "his" couch more than walks...but would get up & go out for our shorter walks as he could not move as good as he once did.

Ruger loved lil' Otis... we were afraid he may not like the lil' one... but they had a good time together & he would let Otis get the best of him at times. Otis really misses him, too. & Bill really had a tuff time, since he seemed to baby on him more.

It is still hard to go to the basement & on walks... alot of memories! You keep expecting to see him on his couch. They {our fur angels} are like another member of the family! Our 4* legged children! Our pets rescue us many times, are always there for us.

Ruger would have been 12 years old. ... so for a big dawg ... he had a good & happy life & is in a better place where there is no pain.

It doesn't mean we do not miss him ~ we will always miss him & love him always! Even tho he has been gone for 5 months, I still cry writing this... thought mebbe writing this it would be easier now, than before... that is not so...

Thank*U Rugie for leaving your pawprints on our hearts... love you & miss you!

~♥~ RUGER TUCKER ~♥~

APRIL 1998 * APRIL 2010

~♥ IT IS A HAPPY TIME... SOOO BLESSED! ♥~

2010-08-31T12:57:00.004-05:00

♥ WE ARE SOOO BLESSED!♥ SMILES ALL AROUND!
THIS IS OUR NEW GRAND♥DAUGHTER ADDISON LUCILLE TUCKER! BORN JUNE 28TH, TWENTY TEN.
PROUD DADDY & BROTHER OWEN! MOM, ADDIE, OWEN & DADDY... EVERYONE IS DOING JUST FINE! =)

BEEN BAD AT BLOGGING... SORRY!

AM GONNA TRY & MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO DO BETTER! LOVE. VISITING ALL MY BLOG FRIENDS... YOU ALL MAKE MY HEART ♥ HAPPY!

WILL BE BACK SOON WITH MORE PICS OF WHAT I HAVE BEEN UP TO... SO CHECK BACK & THANX FOR BEING A PART OF MY LIFE. I AM TRULY BLESSED!
HUGS & BLESSINGS XOXOXO HUMBLE ♥

~pretty soon...

2010-03-11T09:23:00.002-06:00

last nite we had some rain & lightning & thunder boomers! wow, seems like we jump from snow... yep it is almost all gone from our yard... to the next thing... which is ok with me... seeing the snow gone for now & seeing more & more green, all washed now from the rains.

i even have the windows opened a crack this morn & the birds are singing & our chime is ringing a song from the wind...

Bill saw a wild turkey on his walk this morn... a big one at that. i told him we are to see robins now, not turkeys... =)

is not mother nature ~ GOD's ~ colors just gorgeous? ... i love this pic of the sweet flowers in my yard... soon i will be able to take the 2010 pics of my yard & my love of nature!

it is almost friday agin, sweet friends... the time just flys! have a wonderful creative day!

hugs & blessings, humble ♥

~♥ me at almost three ♥♥♥

2010-03-08T10:28:00.002-06:00

i found this pic awhile back. i see all these pics put on the blogs... & thought this might be ok.

i am almost 3. pic taken in 1956.

love the plaid & all the rick rack. i believe my mom or g'ma made the dress. i also had on the black patent shoes with the girly white soxs with lace... still love the lace & rick rack!

i can remember going to bed with bobby pins to hold the curls... remember those? probably do not sell them anymore...

found also some old coins that were silver dollars & mom wrote on them in pencil from my 3rd birthday. looked at them on Christmas eve with the kidz here. really loved finally getting them, & then looking at them ... realizing as Shanna said, 'Owen is three...' funnie how that happened. i cried coz i knew it was a "GOD" thing.... thank*U!

like ms sandy said to me this morn... have yourself a happy lil' monday! to you my friends...

~♥~ hugs & blessings, humble ♥ ~♥~

~♥~ there's a theme going on here...~♥~

2010-03-03T20:09:00.005-06:00

Awhile back we had been blessed by a wonderful announcement....

Our son, ♥ Kyle & daughter*in*love♥ Shanna told us that we would be g'pa & g'ma again...

Lil' Owen would be a big brother................ &

were told that when they did find out what the baby would be ~ they were keeping it secret... ♥

well.............. can u tell what the baby will be??? they could not keep a secret & this g'ma is tickled PINK!!!!! WE ARE SOOO BLESSED!!! keep Shanna & the baby "girl" in your prayers!

hugs & blessings, humblepink♥

~♥~ HOPE ~♥~

2010-03-01T10:36:00.005-06:00

We had sucha wonderful week*end with lil' "O"... g'ma misses him sooo much. He is soo much fun... & sucha smartie! They know at 3 years old much more than i do now... kinda scarey... but at least he can teach me! poor lil' o has a big job ahead of him then... =)

i was looking thru some pics & saw these... it is dreary here today with lotsa snow still to melt... hey it is march now!!! so we will "HOPE" for nicer weather... it could always be worse ~ so for that i am grateful... as well as many other things...

we went 'junkin' yesterday morn to the fairgrounds where they had a flea market. have not gone to this one in years! had a good time & found some goodies! of course! some jewelry, old books, a wonderful half ledger with awesome handwriting from the 30's, watch faces & pieces, i have this thing right now about rosaries {rosary} jewelry with the crosses & found some beauties! i have them in our bedroom & bath that we just redone this past winter... pics later...

what i find soo amazing is how God winds His LOVE in His Presence... HOPE... is always there... i have a beautiful guardian angel ~ my mom ~♥~ who has been in Heaven now 7 years.... feb. 27th.

i love.love.love. when i find something as LOVE note ~HOPE~

i found a package of religious cards from a vendor. that were note cards, not folded, just a card front, smaller than an index card. i believe from a retreat from the signage on the back.... the front is gorgeous with Jesus knocking on a door.. with almost mother of pearl reflection on this card, just beautiful! with the verse, Behold I stand at the door and knock. P-16 on it... {HOPE!!! } the fonts are soo cool, too. the back has a writing about the I.C.A. retreat with a blessing... the neat thing about it... i was thinking of mom with HOPE & blessings, and on the back of this one lil' card it was dated 2/28/39! yesterdays' date was 2/28/10! LOVE it when that happens!

"HOPE" all of you have a wonderful monday... create & do something fun!

hugs & blessings humble ♥

~♥~LOVE & MISS YOU MOM! ~♥~ WITH ALL MY LOVE!~♥~ with "HOPE" to see you again...

~♥~ is it a bird? a plane? no it is... ~♥~

2010-02-24T20:15:00.004-06:00

SUPER*OWEN*!!!!

and he is making a 'super' visit to g'ma & g'pa 's house for a coupla days!!!

It will be soo fun & good to see the lil' guy! G'pa stopped at the store today & got some ice cream & do*nuts already... so our lil' super guy will fly with his sugar high! and of course the animal shaped mac & cheez! we do have the fruit & vegies, too ~ and he loves his vegies!

with things happening in our lives ~ "super" owen is exactly what we need! thank God for sucha wonderful blessing! have a wonderful thursday m'friends.... it is almost friday again....

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~♥~ it is pretty, but...

2010-02-22T21:27:00.004-06:00

sometimes i keep thinking it must still be Christmas time ~yet, again, whatever... then i remember it is february! and in about 10 months it will be Christmas time... shhhhhhhhhh!!! do not even think or say that!! oh my... !!!

the snow is pretty, but enuf already... is to be cold/colder again. i can tell that the sun has more power ~ the snow melts faster, the sky is looking more spring-y, & some more birds are around singing their pretty songs... ~ soon it will be spring but for now we see the white stuff...

seems like even with the weather... i wait on calls from attnys & doctors... no news is good news i guess...

i will keep praying for good news & keep doing some of my projects that i love to do & am blessed to be able to do~

~♥~keeping all of you, my friends ~ in my thoughts & prayers! keep cozy & do what you love & enjoy... ~♥~

~hugs & blessings ~ humble♥

~♥~ SOO THANK♥FUL ~♥~

2010-02-10T10:23:00.002-06:00

~~~♥~~~ for the LOVE i am shown through HIS LOVE... with out GOD in my life i just do not know where i would be... {well, i know} but you know what i mean...
this is my sweet dad with my sweet lil' owen... great g'pa & he called owen... his "champ" ~ too cute... ~
i have been on this emotional roller coaster since my dad died almost two years ago with the farm estate... today i got confirmation that a loan has been processed for the sale to my brother...
i want to thank everyone for their prayers for me on this journey... GOD BLESS YOU!!! ♥♥♥ and to my finest feathered friend {you know who you are} with her wisdom... 'all things work together for those who love HIM....♥♥♥

AMEN!!! all are in my thoughts & prayers... with love, many hugs & blessings... humble♥

I LOVE YOU DAD! I LOVE YOU MOM! HOPE YOU ARE DANCING! ♥ LOVEYOUBOTH & MISS YOU BOTH TERRIBLY..♥♥... your daughter, vikki ♥

~♥~ We are waiting ~♥~

2010-02-08T09:52:00.006-06:00

~ My chocolate vine that i planted by our lamp post ~ that mama red finch builds her nest every spring... ... and the lil' red finches are waiting for spring... but in Ioway we are getting more snow... so we will wait... but pretty soon my fine feathered friends...

~Speaking of fine feathered friends... visit my sweet friend Dawn ~♥~ at The Feathered Nest... {click on her blog on the side bar} She is having her 3rd Blog-Anniversary!!! Dawn is the sweetest gal, who is soo caring & inspiring that loves to share all her goodness & lovely creations for all to see ...

~Have a cozy & warm monday all my fine feathered friends... I am looking forward to seeing the green of spring... sweet birdies in their nest in the choco vine on the lamp post ... and the chocolates from the vine... haha!!! have not ever seen that yet...

~ and i do enjoy the lovely beauty of the snow... good thing 'huh??? ~ hugs & blessings humble♥~

remember our feathery friends...

2010-01-08T08:41:00.004-06:00

WE HAD MORE SNOW YET AGIN, BUT I GUESS THIS IS WINTER, ♥ AND IOWAY...

ON MY WALK YESTERDAY I COULD NOT HELP BUT ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THE SNOW... AND LOVED ♥ ALL THE LAYERS OF SNOW ON THE BIRDHOUSES...

PLEASE REMEMBER TO FEED OUR FEATHERY FRIENDS ~ THAT WE ENJOY SEEING THESE WINTERY MONTHS... HUGS & BLESSINGS ~ HUMBLE HEART ♥

g'ma's cookie monster...♥♥♥

2010-01-07T10:46:00.007-06:00

HOW CAN U NOT LOVE CHOCO CHIP COOKIES??? OF COURSE JUST THE CHOCO CHIPS ARE GREAT ALONE, AS YOU CAN SEE... AND HOW ADORABLE IS THIS LIL' GUY??? ♥ MY LIL' "O" LOVES THEM...♥♥♥ WE USUALLY END UP BAKING A BATCH EVERY TIME HE HAS A STAY OVER... G'PA LOVES IT, TOO ~ HE GITS SOMETHING TO EAT THAT WAY... =)

HOPE ALL HAD A VERRY MERRIE 'CHRIST'MAS! AND MANY MANY BLESSINGS FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SNOWING & BLOWING HERE, BUT STAYING COZY AS I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE, TOO ~ HUGS & BLESSINGS ~ HUMBLE ♥

~ another drizzle-ley day ~

2009-08-28T09:41:00.004-05:00

It is a good thing there are bright pictures that I have taken... since the sun has not been out ~ it is good to see these... the heavy rains have stopped. Thank *U God. We went to see our lil' "O" last nite. The creeks were all overflowing! Unbelieveable how green & lush everything is this summer! I have not had to water the lawn once this summer, very unusual! But I love how beautiful everything looks! These are my sweetpeas, that I have by our basement door. The morning glories love to grow right along with them! Love seeing them everytime I go out to walk. Such a pretty sight that makes me smile... I am soo grateful for that! Hope this makes you smile & it is Friday again! Double smiles... =) =) Have a great & beautiful friday!

Hugs & Blessings, Humble♥

~ some brightness on a rainy day ~

2009-08-27T09:45:00.003-05:00

It has been raining/drizzling the past two days here in Ioway! Some areas are reporting record rain falls agin. It is always a scare for alot of the Iowa people who have gone through major flooding just a year ago... Kyle, our son, just sent us a pic of his rain gauge & it had over 7 inches in it since yesterday! We have not had that much, but it has rained alot it seems...

I thought I would send out a cheery pics of my brown-eyed susans this summer. They are always soo bright & pretty. I had a bucket that the bottom rusted out, so just set it around the one plant I have in the one part of my flower bed. Can not throw away a perfectly good bucket just because the bottom is gone! Hope all are having a wonderful week! Can not believe it is almost Friday again!!!

Hugs & Blessings, humble♥

~ my lil' rainman & furry friends ~

2009-08-21T12:29:00.004-05:00

Two weeks ago we had the pleasure of our lil' 'o' for the week*end... love the lil' guy soo much!!! on Friday it rained & rained & rained. With doggies I have to let them out. It was a cool rain ~ the kind with no lightning or thunder... (my kind of rain) Yep, I do love rainy days! I had this hooded sweatshirt that was my mom's ( I know she was smiling on us when Owen was wearing it!) I wear it, now, but that day it was for Owen...

I received a wonderful e*mail today from my friend Nellie... about rain. It reminded me of that Friday. Isn't a blessing how we get the messages? How God works in our lives? Just two weeks ago it rained on Friday & today, Friday again ~ we are having rain showers.

How blessed I was to walk in the rain & splash in puddles with my lil' buddy. We laughed & giggled at how high the water was when our feet hit the puddles! As Nellies' e-mail stated we must have needed a washing. It was priceless...!!!

So even tho your day may give you puddles, just splash thru them & dance like a child!

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~ school has started once agin... ~

2009-08-20T12:40:00.005-05:00

When I go thru my pics & see how things have grown ~ I am amazed at how fast time flys! It seems like the kids just got out of school for the summer & I just got some plants in. Today the kids in the neighborhood were off for school agin! I am soo enjoying the beautiful sights of my flowers... Another summer... & before we know it ~ it is another summer past... take the time to enjoy your summer day.

hugs & blessings, humble♥

~ PROJECTS EARLIER THIS SUMMER... ~

2009-08-19T10:25:00.003-05:00

Somedays I feel like I do not accomplish much... which is very true! Earlier this year we have had some gorgeous weather days... we had a record cool July! So I took advantage of that & painted some of the furniture finds I had from over the years. I think if I am not outside & not seen by the neighbors ~ they call to see if I am ok... gotta love. that! As you can see, also, the purple verbena flower bed just starting to bloom in the backgound, too. I have some more furniture pics to post later as with other things. The pic above is a wool background with all wool appliques. I made it for Kyle & Shanna. (they really liked it!) The colors are more deep & rich than this pic shows... I really enjoy working with wool & painting small furniture & distressing it ~ I am soo blessed to do what I love! To be able to see & do things with my hands ~ those are blessings! For everything I am soo grateful. I hope you get to do something today that you really enjoy! hugs & blessings, humble ♥

~ my treat everyday...~

2009-08-18T14:24:00.005-05:00

It sure doesn't seem like it is August... but looking back at my flower pics and seeing their growth ~ summer is going fast! These purple verbena must like this flower bed... I know I sure love seeing them everyday. They draw the butterflies... who stop to say 'hi'! The flowers are soo lovely this year ~ I know I say that every year! I just love seeing my flowers & plants with my treasures mixed in with them. It is my special treat for me & just wanted to share with you m'friends. I have more pics to post later... Have a treat-filled day! hugs & blessings, humble♥

~ my lil' o.k. boy treats jar ~

2009-08-14T08:09:00.002-05:00

I think all lil' boys need treats... don't you? This was an old jar I found. It was especially wide at the top, which was even better for grabbing more treats for the little hands to find. I was so excited to find it, because lil' Owen's initials are O.K. for Owen Kinnick... so it had to be, right? It started out as a herring jar. I had these adorable chipboard shapes ~ firetrucks, baseball players, words, etc. I especially loved them, because they had the design on both sides, so when the glue dried, you could see the image on the inside as well! I glued them on with my tacky glue. To the glass jar and the metal lid. After letting them dry I put a coat of mod podge on the top of the chip board pieces to protect them and carefully around each chipboard piece where it met with the glass container to seal them. I did the same on the lid, and sanded in areas to distress it, and to take off wording that the chipboard pieces did not cover. Owen was called 'champ' by my dad, Kyles' grapa, lil' Owens' great-grapa... My dad loved his sweets, as do I, and Kyle & boy o' boy does Owen love his sweets/snacks! Owen loves his own lil' treats jar. Now will have to get a picture of him with his hand in the jar! Have a wonderful Friday & week-end... may it be filled with many sweet treats! hugs & blessings ~ humble♥

~ HOPE ~

2009-08-13T09:52:00.002-05:00

This is a pic of my bench earlier in the season, now it is full of mums in bloom, and the brown-eyed susans! I am always in awe of how things grow ~ amazed at how they survive the harsh winters, and relentless heat of summer... "hope" you are having a great Thursday friends... hugs & blessings, humble♥

~ long time no blog... huh? ~

2009-07-17T09:26:00.006-05:00

I hope this finds everyone doing well and having a good summer... our computer is not being nice, so have not been on here and will try to post when i can... I have been busy, painting furniture when the weather & my health permits, and am soo grateful for all. This is a new thing I have been working on. Some vintage linens & fabric journals. It incorporates my love for vintage items, linens, hankies, quilt pieces, etc, fabrics, buttons, trims, embellishments & papers, verses, sheet music & old books. Too fun! Will try and post more pics when I can. Have a blessed Friday, my dear friends! hugs & blessings, humble ♥

~ happy may day ~

2009-04-30T23:21:00.002-05:00

i want to wish everyone a ' happy may day' ... i love the sweet wood violets i found on my walk. we have had alot of rain ~ so the april showers have brought the may flowers & everything is soo green, lush, & beautiful. i have always loved & am amazed, that no matter how cold, severe the weather ~ the flowers & all of mother nature just can pop out after the winters we have. we are soo blessed to enjoy all of God's beauty once agin. take the time to enjoy the flowers, the birds singing, the fresh aire we breathe ~ thank*u Jesus, for all the lovely blessings. have a wonderful friday m'sweet friends. hugs & blessings, humble♥

Ron & JoAnnA

2009-04-20T13:22:00.000-05:00

Easter Loves ♥

2009-04-20T00:17:00.003-05:00

i hope everyone had a hoppy Easter!

i know we sure did! could not post without showing my two lil' "o"s ! it was a beautiful day on saturday when we had our Easter last week. owen had soo much fun finding the eggs, as did otis helping him! they are soo cute together.

gitting in a lil "o" kissin' for my Easter!

another post? more dolls?

2009-04-19T23:08:00.006-05:00

well, it has been awhile since i have been on here so, i thought i would do yet another post... these three lil' babies were bisque heads & a bisque sailor boy. the two gals i put on bottles. the lil' girl wears a tag saying 'sweet' on it with a crystal type flower on her head. her bow is from a vintage doll i had. vintage laces & trims, on both of the bottles & are filled with vintage beads, glitter, and tinsel. the blue 'mom' tagged bottle wears her blue bling jewels & lace stiffened crown. the lil' sailor boy sits on a vintage alphabet block with the letter 's' and added 'ail' for 'sail' and the other side of the block had the letter 'a' so put 'way' for 'away' so sail away... also added an ol' brass button with an anchor on it, too. these projects i have been working on have been alot of fun. soo different from what i have usually done. so this week, step out of your usual zone & try something new. you never know, u may like it. have a creative, wonderful monday m'dear friends. humble♥heart

~ my purpose doll ~ walk by faith, not by sight ~

2009-04-19T22:39:00.005-05:00

joanna had picked a theme for the month ' what is your purpose.' so this is my doll. her base is a door knob wrapped with lace & ribbons with a key & buttons. i added one of moms' hankies & used a piece from her wedding dress, the satin & lace. vintage hardware pieces & jewelry & paper roses were used, too. her lil' arms & the cross are from a china doll piece i accidently dropped & broke, but saved it. it spoke to me to use on her. i love ♥ how that happens. ~ Look to God first ~ He is in control. I looked at my problems first & blamed God. He showed me He permitted these things in my life for a reason. He is a just God who will turn the situation to that which is good & right. my purpose ~ to walk by faith, with a humble heart. ♥

~ where o' where have i been? ~

2009-04-19T22:08:00.003-05:00

yep, it has been awhile. hope this finds everyone doing well. have had things going on in my life ~ with my health & family, like everyone else. will mebbe write more about that at another time. prayerfully all will be okay ~ God is in control. i have been still doing joannas' online classes. they have truly been a blessing to me at this time. wonderful therapy. these workshops are amazing. if you git a chance, check them out. the finished artworks ~ bottles, dolls, tattered threads, canvas ~ all the workshops are amazing! such beautiful talents are shown. * this i made in memory of my mom. she loved butterflies so she had this metal butterfly hanging in the window of the farm house with the crystals in it, catching the light. i used it for her wings. added the heart lacey doily & hankie, with other lace pieces & a necklace chain of hers with some charms i added that i knew she loved. 'flutter~bye' for now, mom. love u. miss u. humble♥heart

~ * have you seen this yet?*~

2009-02-23T23:06:00.002-06:00

been awhile since i have blogged. so thought i would let you know about this class i am taking. yep, i am gittin' ~ 'techie' on ya. did not even know how to connect to it, what 'ning' was, if i could even handle all the 'techie' stuff. but i signed up & it is amazing. JoAnnA Pierotti is a very talented artist & great teacher. her hubby Mr. Ron did the videos & is there for all the techie questions. i am soo impressed by all the talented people taking the class & the dolls they have already done. every doll is soo lovely & has its' own personality ~ you can see they love what they do by their wonderful dolly creations. the class can be viewed 24/7, in your jammies, do at your own pace. joanna does a great job showing all her 'secrets' & techniques & it is like she is right there. she sometimes talks to her doggies & is a natural. love it. just too cool. it has been a blessing to me & has been wonderful therapy at this point of time. there is still time to sign up, check the link at the side, joanna's art studio, and look at all her wonderful artworks. hope to see ya at class. she is gonna have another one soon with her canvas art. hugs & blessings ~ humble ♥

now... it is ~ baby! it! is! cold! outside!!!

2009-01-15T22:42:00.002-06:00

on a previous post i stated it was cold out... well, this morning i had my lil' owen duty & we had 6 to 7 inches of snow wednesday & a blast of frigid air! on the way to see the lil' guy the thermometer was at minus 27 below zero. with the wind chill it was 50 some degrees below zero!!! there were quite a few semis' & cars along the interstate still in the ditches. on the radio, they announced that they called alaska & it was 46 degrees, think i will go there ~ that is a heat wave compared to this. i usually NEVER venture out in this weather, driving wise, i still walk ~ but not as far. it was soo worth it ~ the warm hugs & love from the lil' guy made for a happy warm toasty day! we played & had a wonderful time! always a delight to see my two lil' "o's" play together. i can hardly believe it is almost friday agin. have a great creative friday & week-end. stay warm & cozy, m'friends. hugs & blessings, humble ♥

so warm & cozy

2009-01-09T08:12:00.008-06:00

my hubby who was to lay by the bed that owen was in til lil' 'o' fell asleep... guess who fell asleep first? Bill is soo wonderful. i am soo blessed to have him put up with me.

owen on one of his summer visits ~ is he not precious or what? the lil' 'o' toes!!! Sharon of Sweet Repose? ( see side bar to visit her wonderful blog) remember this bed i bought from you? it was white with green paint under neath? well, u know me, had to paint it a dark color & sand it down in spots. I put a bigger wood applique on it, kept the white one that you had on it for a journal or collage perhaps?

this is sylvester 'vester ' the onery cat. ( like Dawn calls it at The Feathered Nest (see side bar to visit her wonderful blog) - cat is giving me the flat eye) ( we call it the evil eye) the one who is soo loveable but the one who is the pain in my backside. he likes to once in awhile leave his tootsie rolls where they do not belong, even tho his litter box is available & clean... he was a stray who came to the door when we lived in northern iowa. over 14 -15 years ago. i opened the door to say 'hi', he walked in & stayed. no one claimed him, now i know why...

another precious shot of my favorite lil' guy. he had just took a tumble & scraped his head. one of many when you are two.

this my phoebe. she was not liked by her mom so i fed her bottles in between her mom allowing her to feed, at my holding so she could feed for a little while. she has always been there, seems to know when i need a fur hug. she loves to find the coziest spot & curl -up. she, like vester, are both teen-agers so they have slowed down a bit. such fur angels they are.

this is another of my 'cupboards' of course that i love. it is a corner one & the drawer is made of one burl of wood. and of course another one of my lil' lites, tucked behind a shutter. i love seeing the old quilts i have 'flea' 'junque' found... i switch them around every once in awhile & have one draped on the couch & chair. so we can enjoy even more. i adore looking at all the small stitches ~ think of all the time involved in such intricate work. it makes me smile at the handi-work & love. soo love the ol'timey & hand-dids. even if i find a bag of scraps i use them on my projects. the journals, a pocket on a santa, ornament, dress for a doll, etc. whatever it looks like it would be. have a warm & cozy week-end m'friends. humble ♥
be sure to check out Sharon at Sweet Repose, she makes such lovely unique necklaces & has a wonderful flair with her photography & words , painting furniture, soaps, candles & alot of great talents!... also check out Dawn at The Feathered Nest, such a sweetie. she makes the most lovely creations & is soo inspiring & encouraging. very beautiful person, with many talents. she did my blog header & has the most beautiful designs featured in magazines! on covers, no less... both love the vintage ol' timey look, too! two very talented ladies that i am blessed to have in my life as friends. both are listed on my side bar. the other ones listed are soo wonderful,too. humble ♥

moving santas to snopeople

2009-01-06T23:37:00.006-06:00

some years i put out a mix of both santas' & snopeople but this year just did the santa thing. i have now switched them for the snopeople. this is one of my fave cabinets, love. the color. actually most of my cabinets are my favorites! can you tell i like the ol' gold color/mustardy tones? you can see it on most of my walls in the house. the neat thing about the wall paint color is that, at during the day or evening it takes on different tones, it doesn't always look the same, love that! i grunged & painted the candle stik. i love. the battery candle look lite. they are great for the spots where u need some soft glow & mebbe not a plug-in around. i made some of the snopeople & the bottle. the chimney box with all the trimmings & santa i made, too. speaking of making things ~ check out joanna pierrotti moss hill studio blog. (click on joanna's art on side bar) she makes the greatest things from vintage re*purposed, re♥loved things. ~ things i love doing & seeing, too ~ joanna is having a new year 2009 give away. a bottle with a sweet lil' doll face on it. look at her past blogs & see what she does with baby shoes & check out her studio she used at one time. it is one that i would love to have! have a fun wonderful wednesday friends. humble ♥

fun kitchen lite...

2009-01-05T12:19:00.003-06:00

this is another one of my fun lites & this is in my kitchen at Christmas time.( sorry about the pic with the cord showing from lite on top of cabinet. it is usually tucked behind. )i saw it at a shop so had to go 'junquing' for a colander. this one had the wonderful fun design of stars, which i loved. i bent the feet back, turned it upside down, kinda angled it a bit, & put a 'lil lamp/lite under it. at nite the lite shines thru the stars & makes a cool reflection of the design. this makes neat lite for a kitchen, mebbe even as a shade. filled with greenery, pinecones, berries with a battery candle lamp in it. use with flowers, whatever, not only for the holidays if want to. lotsa possiblities for a colander ~ not just for rinsing anymore! hope you find something fun/creative to do ~ blessings & hugs ~ humble♥

~ may 2009 shine in His love ~

2009-01-02T09:25:00.003-06:00

may all my friends have a wonderful 2009! may His love ~ peace ~ blessings surround you. i wrote in my journal yesterday to listen more, talk less. just be still & know He is God. do what you love & are blessed with. create more & complain less. do something fun everyday & smile & laugh. this is a pic of my table in the great room. i love.love.love. lamps -lites -candles. most of my 'lil lites are on 24/7/365. it always makes me smile to see the glow & this lovely message on this vintage sign. my hopes & prayers for you in 2009 ~ Jesus Never Fails ~ hugs & blessings ~ humble ♥

~ may your new year be filled with love ~

2008-12-31T13:00:00.005-06:00

may your new year be filled with joy, peace, & love. to have carefree thoughts as my 'lil "o" 's. being thank*ful for each day ~ to remember to count your blessings ~ in everything give thanks!much love, many hugs & blessings to all! humble ♥

~ crazy, crazy weather!!! ~

2008-12-27T08:51:00.003-06:00

is this december? or spring? whatever... for now it is 50 degrees!!! so thought i post a flowery pic since it is soo balmy out. kinda weird ... monday went to see my lil 'o' & it was 10 degrees below zero! with wind chills 30-40 below zero. last nite we went to see the lil 'o' & kidz & it was soooo foggy but yet windy! with all the snow the foggy was just rolling ~ it looked like snow blowing, could not even see the tail lites when a car passed on the interstate. we were fortunate that we were familiar with the interstate & the exits or we woulda missed the one we needed. prayers were for the ones traveling last nite & this week-end with the holiday. what a difference a coupla days make here in ioway! it is to git cold agin by afternoon with ice storm warnings ~ it is rainy & changing over to sleet & snow. a roller coaster ride of weather. ' lil otis was confused, too. the first time it snowed he looked at me, like where did the grass go? now he is familiar with snow. today when he went out he looked at me as if to ask where did the snow go? now it is all grass agin... too funnie... =) just stick around the weather will change agin, usually in a short period of time. humble ♥

~ ♥ a verrie merrie CHRISTmas ♥ ~

2008-12-25T14:58:00.008-06:00

a beautiful merrie CHRISTmas to all!!! this is one of many beautiful hand-dids i recieved from my beautiful & talented daughter - in - love.... will post more pics later of our Christmas but for now...

our son, kyle & his son, owen ~ our lil 'o' putting on some of the higher ornaments & tree topper...

this was my 'lil 'o' decorating the tree! he was really concentrating! he had a few items on some branches, some backwards, some upside down ~ some with no decorations & some with many... i just left them the way he did it. it made me smile every time i saw the tree ~ love the lil guy sooo much. don't u love his charlie brown t-shirt? sucha cutie!

this is my santa riding his crow i made this year. i just love the way he turndt out! it is much better in person, his face is adorable! i love the message above, too, on the shelf ~ in everything give thanks ~

merrie CHRISTmas dear friends! this is a wool santa mat i have made. i change the kitchen island every season & have the small vintage drawer there & spell out seasonal messages for the holidays... or for the time of the year... hope all are having a wonderful holiday with family,friends & loved ones! and let every ♥ heart ♥ prepare room for Him this day & always ~ humble ♥

~ the other days were cold, but this was a frigid Sunday ~

2008-12-21T23:44:00.003-06:00

we were really blessed today, Sunday, that the power stayed on. sometimes the wind gusts were over 20 mph & the wind chill was 30 below. ground blizzard conditions & with more snow north it was much worse. it was good to be able to cozy in. had to only walk once with ruger early in the morn. and did not have to go far since he realized it was sooo cold, too. the other times hubby had the cold pleasure. the 'lil otis just goes out & does his thing & comes right back in... sucha good puppy! hubby is on call with the power company & had to go out in the afternoon for a few hours. did not envy him at all. love snow but this was wayyy too cold. roads are all ice packed & slick. many accidents with the blowing snow over the icy spots. hopefully for travelers tomorrow the roads will be better & the winds will not be so strong! * keep warm & toasty thoughts ~ humble ♥

~ another visit from the brrrrr angels ~

2008-12-19T22:41:00.003-06:00

we seem to be in another pattern here with the ice & snow like last year December. it is really very pretty with the glistening & all. * mother natures' bling * i do feel bad for the people who have to travel every day in this kind of weather. especially now with the holidays & the merchants/vendors for the big holiday sales. i am so grateful that i am able to stay home when the roads are bad. i will take my walks in this beautiful snow & scoop/clean the walk & driveway ~ but not drive ~ unless i have to. the ice is very thick & of course i am not real fond of slipping - sliding around walking then. i have been enjoying baking & candy making, finishing up wrapping presents. there is always something to do. i am so blessed ~ to be able to do what i love & enjoy all the wonderful beauty & smells of the season. remembering & being thankful for the reason of the season! ~ *may Gods' love & peace comfort you always* ~ humble♥

~ baby it is cold outside! ~

2008-12-15T07:57:00.002-06:00

you gotta love mother nature! yesterday, Sunday, here in Iowa it was 53 degrees... it dropped several degrees in the afternoon after being that warm into the 20's very quickly. we had rain showers, then freezing rain, thunder & lightning & very windy. by then everything was freezing. by my last walk in the afternoon the drops went to dripping to freezing! this morning it is in the minus degrees with wind chills minus teens to twenty! very refreshing (re-freezing) walks!!! i am soo grateful that i am able to git out & about & enjoy the seasons. i will go & walk, but not drive! i am even more grateful for the warm house ~ cozy atmosphere inside! the warm coffee with toffee creamer helps, too! love it! have a wonderful cozy monday! humble ♥

~ the wonderful seasons of iowa ~

2008-12-10T22:48:00.003-06:00

looking thru some of my pics i noticed that i had pics of the yard in the summer & now with the snow. you can see how hot it was the day my lil 'o' was squirting the water ~ he loved playing with the hose! will have to post some more of the watering pics later. it was probably in the upper 80's that day that owen was 'helping water plants' ~ with the snow & rain (ice) we got yesterday, it is to be 16 degrees tonite. they are saying upper 40's on sunday. crazy weather... like the saying goes, stay for another day ~ the weather will be different tomorrow. something like that... have a wonderful thursday m'friends. humble♥

~ a snowy hello ~

2008-12-09T00:14:00.002-06:00

we had a gorgeous snowfall one sunday morn. it was the very pretty covered everything snowfall. i love it when it snows like that. when i walked it was soo beautiful with it just covering all the branches, fences, railings ~ so lovely. i am so grateful to be able to see & enjoy Gods' beauty in every day. lil otis went outside looking for the grass to do his potty duty & did not know what to think... the sidewalks were still warm so not as much snow so he decided that the sidewalk would work. since we have gotten more snow ~ otis decided he loves it now & is hard to git to come inside 'coz he knows he has to git wiped off & doesn't care for that much. sucha snow magnet is he! otis is a wonderful puppy. so loveable & very mellow fellow. he has his silly spells & how he makes me laugh. the other furry members of the family are adjusting to the newest member. some times are better than others but they all seem to git along well. have a wonderful tuesday friends! humble ♥

~ my 'lil 'o' s.... ~

2008-10-10T09:43:00.004-05:00

what can i say? to see such delight in a little boy & a puppy. spent a wonderful day with my precious grandson owen & he wanted to see otis. we took a walk & played & tried to eat corn stalks laying in the path. i dunno who had more fun? grandson, puppy, yep they did! but i think i had the most fun. i am truly blessed. have a lovely, wonderful week*end & enjoy life! humble ♥

~ doesn't this make you wanna smile ??? ~

2008-10-07T20:53:00.007-05:00

does this 'lil face just make you wanna smile??? this is 'otis' our new four-legged fur angel. he is ten weeks old, born july 31st. a brown & white shih-tzu. it has almost been 10 years since we had a 'lil fur ball baby in the house. the other members of the fur family are not sure of him yet, but are slowly coming around. he is sucha good little puppy & we are really loving & enjoying 'otis' ! now we have two 'lil 'o's. our 'lil grandson 'owen' picked the 'otis' name from many we had... owen is sooo precious to us!!! maam'ma gets to see her 'lil 'o' tomorrow & he wants me to bring otis along... so will get pics! have a blessed & wonderful wednesday! humble ♥

~ still trying to git this 'puter fixed... ~

2008-10-07T09:27:00.002-05:00

i soo miss my blogging & trying to comment on my friend's blogs... as of yesterday & dayz of calling & all passing the buck as to what is wrong... will see if this works. still git a black screen when trying to git to different blogs or locations. but fer now, at least it is letting me write & so far has not lost a connection. ~ too complicated fer me! just want it to work & enjoy so it is not a hassle. been busy with painting furniture, gitting fall fun things out & going to fun places... hopefully i can git my pics loaded & show you things i have been up to. been out & about with sharon of sweet repose & if u check out her blog you will see the wonderful pics she takes!! i also caved & got a new baby... it was a puppy that just caught my heart ♥ strings. i will post a pic of lil 'otis' later. he was gonna be wilson, since i was with wilson, she bought a wood box with wilson, and we past a street called wilson, actually 2 times since my radar of direction was off, so was my head to git a puppy! therefore the name 'otis' 'o' for 'oh' 't' for 'this ' 'i' for 'is' 's' for 'silly' or i guess 's' could be stupid & lotsa other things. and our grandson lil 'o' owen liked otis, too. so 'otis' it is! it was a puppy or cupboard, my hubby said i did not need either one... true... but... more later... have a wonderful creative tuesday m'friends. blessings & hugs ~ humble ♥

~ a wonderful friday ~

2008-09-19T22:31:00.004-05:00

leaving this morn, i stopped at a coupla garage sales. found some old books & a cute 'lil engraved wood frame. next stop ~ fur coats!! even tho it was 80 degrees today, furs were hard to pass up. $5.00 for a box of them, white, biege-y, & dark brown. i am thinking collars & coats for santas! then to a cute shop,( next time pics, i know... ) that i have been selling a few things at. in a tiny, do not blink town ~ along the interstate. the witchy-poos are some i made with the stik noses & some wool candlemats. more on that later. then on to sisters' garden kalona, iowa. it was barbi's fall open house. what a wonderful fall feel it was!! you just wanted to stay all day & enjoy all the wonderful treasures! i bought some mums, they are huge! bushel basket size, just lovely. soo love, love, love fall. there was furniture in the yard, the shops were filled. punkins & gourds all about... i saw my friend sharon, sweet repose ~ check out her blog for more pics! i bought some of her soaps, the carmel apple is awesome. if u need your mouth washed out, that would be the one to use! m'mmm. the upstairs bathroom smells soo good! then when i got home i had a package waiting for me from my blog friend, sweet dawn, the feathered nest. it had the most adorable shoe pin cushion in it & the sweetest red check baby dress. thank*u! thank*u! sweet friend! i am soo truly blessed & honored & humbled to have such wonderful friends! hugs to ya ~ sharon & barbi & dawn! thank*u for a lovely day! humble ♥

~ computer is back home, but still slow...

2008-09-18T08:35:00.005-05:00

woo hoo!! i finally got the computer back!!! & it loaded a picture... it took forever ~ and dunno if i will be able to git it published or not since it said it could not contact blogger. there still must be an interference in the house somewhere. too much technical 'stuff' for me! this is a pic of the booth the first of the month after i took some things in. been doing well. this month ~ september so far has been a bit slow. will try more pics later. medical tests came back ok ~ thank*you God!!! will have more at a later date. just wanted to say have a wonderful blessed thursday m'friends! humble ♥

~ 'why' wonder... ~

2008-09-11T11:36:00.004-05:00

i am gonna try this & see how far i can git... our computer is running slow, so made some phone calls today ~ all this technical stuff!!! and cords? what is plugged to where? and the computer is setting on a desk with a back on it on the bottom so u can not see where is plugged to what... so i am gonna do as much as i can & let the hubby do the rest later. i can not git a picture to load, it takes too long & then it loses it contact. i just wanted to write to say have a very beautiful creative friday & week*end. along with the computer issues, i have been having some health issues going on & tests ran. most have been coming back ok ~ thank* u God. some are stress related due to family deaths & dealings at this time. we all have things to deal with & i believe we are stronger for all our struggles in our lives. we may wonder 'why' & then i always come across someone less fortunate than i ~ and am so grateful & thank*ful for my small trying times i have... & wonder how i could even ask 'why' in the first place. have a lovely friday & week*end m'friends. humble ♥

~ i enjoy my flowers ~

2008-08-24T21:04:00.005-05:00

today was another gorgeous iowa day. usually this time of the year everything is getting dried up & the humidity is un-bearable to be outside. it was a wonderful day to be out & enjoy mother natures' lovely flowers! i cleaned one of the flower beds today & enjoyed the lovely weather. you can tell the days are getting shorter & that fall is not far behind. hope everyone has a blessed week. humble ♥

~ a fun friday with m'friend ~

2008-08-22T20:39:00.005-05:00

i am truly blessed to have such nice friends in my life. today my friend sharon of sweet repose asked me to ride along on her wonderful trip to kalona & to anamosa to deliver her 'treasured finds', her yummy scented candles, & wonderful soaps. she has the most yummy*est smelling truck in iowa! when we lived on the outskirts of iowa city ~ i frequently went to sisters' & i have known sharon for as many years, too, with her wonderful shops. i love them! so it was good to ride along! this time we went to a different one that was sooo me! primitives & rustic! of course i find something & put on layaway. you know i am the layaway queen ~ that way u have'ta go back & get to check it out again! =) sharon took some pics, check them out on her blog - sweet repose. thank*u again m'dear. humble♥

~ take the time to notice the flowers ~

2008-08-20T23:39:00.005-05:00

i dunno where the time goes ~ but it is almost friday again! i just had to take time to mention the flowers & how much beauty surrounds us! if we wait too long another season has passed & we may miss another lovely flower that makes us smile. i have been wayyy to busy cleaning, organizing & just busy stuff. but i am soo thank-ful for natures' beauty no matter what the season & get out daily to enjoy it. have a wonderful thursday & hope you enjoy the lovely daily blessings ~ humble ♥ heart

~ contest entry ~

2008-08-08T11:28:00.002-05:00

for my entry i used a blank small composition book, the 4 1/2 x 3 1/4 size. covered it with the pretty blue card stock. i shrank the lovely image & deckle scissors cut it out. i covered the binding of the comp book with a piece of vintage lace & added a piece of the pretty blue yarn with a small silver heart embellishment attached. i also put a silver heart on the image in the circles. then before gluing on the image i darkened the edges of the book & image & the letters i stamped & cut out. sepia accents were applied to the key on the image for some dimension. this image was so pretty as it was & thought this small journal was a good idea. ~ this is such a blessing to be able to create & enter this contest. i find it a challenge to get something done. it is not about the winning (altho that would be great!) i can see possibilities in the images we are given & it is a wonderful way to accomplish an art piece. i have many things i want to do ~ mebbe i should give it all a deadline? ~ it would push me to accomplish more art pieces... ? humble ♥ heart

~ sucha sweet blessing ...

2008-08-03T22:03:00.014-05:00

one afternoon a week or so ago i heard this high pitched little noise in our garage. i have heard it before ~ so i knew it was a 'lil hummer. it seems every year one gets stranded in our garage. i know i need to catch the precious little sweetie ~ to get them to some flowers for nourishment. they are soo quick, but seem to know to have me catch them to get them out into God's lovely nature, to replenish their energy. this 'lil one just posed for me ~ i was so grateful & thankful to have been blessed by one of many of His wonderful creations... humble♥

random acts ~

2008-07-29T05:21:00.004-05:00

monday
was
just
one
of
those

days... from when i walked with ruger ~ having another neighborhood dog run out & act like he was gonna eat both of us. he did nip ruger some, but did not draw blood. ruger is fine! it was just scarey. to seeing an attny for my dads' estate. to sitting & waiting for almost 5 hours for an oil change. it just was one of those days. the wait was long because they were gonna check out more things in my jeep. they took me in the courtesy vehicle to a nice coffee shop ~ and had some reading/paperwork to do. so thought a couple of hours i could do this... but was tooo long! while i was there, tho, i did see a couple of things i may have missed had i not been there that long. one was this kind gentle giant of a man. he noticed a gal who was working not feeling well, & gave her an adjustment when she stepped out from behind the counter, he just touched a few pressure points on her neck & side of her head ~ she asked him how did u know i did not feel well, he said i just knew. i smiled at him & we just exchanged a few words. the other was another gentleman who had torn jeans, hat, elderly sweet guy. he got some of the day old bakery items. he came over & started visiting with me. (everybody talks to me ~ i can walk thru grocery store & people come up & talk. my hubby will say, who was that? i say i dunno... another earth angel?) i asked him how much were the bakery items, he said here, my gift to you. i declined & offered then to pay... he said you know when you are offered a gift you should accept graciously... he said they have plenty more & i git them for free ~ i feed the birds. he not only fed the birds ~ he fed me. what a blessing. humble♥

a beautiful booth ~ now

2008-07-26T22:23:00.014-05:00

today our son, kyle, and i did a project together. we have a booth at a mall, that used to be a old bus barn. nothing fancy about this place ~ cement floors, peeling ceilings, no air conditioning, & in the winter - be sure to wear warm clothes & gloves! the booths are very plain so we decided to dress ours up. the previous tenant moved out early, so it was perfect timing for us to work in the space. we talked of many ideas for the walls ~ and the kidz decided on using boards, so we can hammer into them & will be more stable. he staggered the boards since the floor is so uneven & gives it a more rustic effect. kyle did all the measuring & cutting & putting up the boards & shelves. shanna did the staining & distressing. & me ~ i git to enjoy our new warm welcoming space. it is sooo wonderful! i love the way it turned out! i so appreciate my kidz. i am so blessed. it was a great day to spend with my son ~ i love u! kyle does a beautiful job with woodworking ~ he has made cabinets & cupboards for their home & a gorgeous oak changing table/dresser for lil 'o'. i will post about them sometime, too. he does an amazing job ~ especially at being the best son i could ever ask for, husband & dad ~ soo proud of you! thank*u-thank*u again & again. humble♥

a wonderful outdoor antique show

2008-07-24T23:06:00.011-05:00

these are pics from when we ( my lovely daughter*in*law, shanna, who i love calling my daughter!) & i went to an outdoor antique show. it was a gorgeous day. she loves so many things that i do ~ we have wonderful times together! tonite i had my lil 'o' therapy & remembered to ask her what she did with the spool cabinet she bought. one booth had a wonderful collection of spool cabinets. shanna spotted one she loved & it has a wonderful home ~ at their beautiful house. she loves making quilts, prim dolls, crows, & many other hand*did treasures. also loves doing scrapbooky things ~ cards ~ books & other fun projects. shanna loves to paint furniture & does a wonderful job at everything she does ~ especially being sucha lovely wife & mom... love u! i am sooo blessed! humble ♥

94 mph winds...

2008-07-22T23:23:00.005-05:00

~ a line of severe thunderstorms moved thru the area early monday morning. leaving some without power even yet. the power poles were snapped off, lines down - damage worse than recent ice storms of this past winter. we were fortunate with only large limbs & small branches that fell ~ that i am still picking up. our andironak chairs were tossed across the street & my chairs that i have around the yard with plants on them - some survived the flight, some did not. our flag pole & fence post snapped off. many in the area had large trees uprooted, some landed on cars or homes. the wind hitting the house was scarey. it truly was seconds that i had to grab the cat (phoebe) & run to the basement where ruger resides on the couch & our other cat (vester). the wind was horrible. they clocked one of the gusts at 94 mph. it is a wonder how things withstand that force. i am soo thank*ful ~ it could always be worse! and by His grace the sun does come out agin... humble ♥

my walking buddy ~ ruger

2008-07-18T21:25:00.005-05:00

this is my walking buddy. ruger. we named him after the 'german' pistol - a ruger, being a 'german' shepherd & he was an onery little pistol when a puppy. we have walked in our addition for 9 years. the road we walk is a half mile circle. so we walk 'round it 2 times, several times a day. usually 5 or 6 times in really nice weather. most times at least 4. we have walked in snowdrifts, ice storms, rain, sleet, snow. hot (we try to go early and not in hottest time of day) & we do have alot of nice weather days, too. we do not go in thunderstorms anymore since we had a lightning bolt hit toooo close to us. (it looked like storm was past - wrong) we figured one day that all these years of walking daily, there has not been mebbe but a week total of days, that we did not walk ~ that it would be how many miles? when we thought about it awhile ago and figured it ~ over 12,000 miles! actually it is more than that now.... are we ready for a trade - in yet? nope. but i think he is. he wants to trade me in for one who doesn't want to walk ~ he would rather stay on the couch. we still try & walk ~ but not as often & not 2x around. don't we all love our pets? four legged children? humble ♥

tugging at heart ♥ strings

2008-07-17T22:33:00.002-05:00

i find it soo amazing how many stories you hear in this world of blog*land. i love visiting the sites & getting to know some of more familiar ones better. everyone has a story ~ and mebbe at the end of your storms/stories you too, will find a rainbow... humble ♥

sea of purple smiles =)

2008-07-16T12:37:00.006-05:00

my sea of purple ~ this is my front flower bed with purple verbena. it is a slow starter, but shows its' true colors all summer into fall! i pull off the seed heads, spent blooms and throw into other flower beds and toss some into this same bed, to re*seed themselves. after a horrible winter of lotsa snow, cold temps ~ i am always amazed how they come back & survive. thank*u to God for the smiles, & to make me smile again. =) humble ♥

sucha beautiful day ♥ & topped off with lemonade

2008-07-13T22:26:00.007-05:00

today in Iowa ~ it was gorgeous! a tad windy in afternoon, but the temps were low 80's, and low humidity. usually this time of year it is very hot and humid ~ good Iowa corn-growing weather. today hubby and i took off for a flea market in Maquoketa, north of where we live. it was perfect! found some great treasures ~ i do not think i come home empty handed very often. found some wonderful religious charms, bags of broken jewelry, some watch pieces, a small bisque doll with an arm missing, and some other lil' pieces. it was a good note to see some furniture getting loaded into trucks going to new homes. our neighbor went and sold his truck load with the exception of a few items, and so he went home early ~ only after he checked it out to see if there was something he had to take home! we drove further north to Maquoketa caves, where there is this restaurant ~ truly off the beaten path. very well known and good food. as my hubby handed back a menu, he hit my glass of lemonade and yep ~ all over my lap! had to run to bathroom after cleaned up most of mess... but it looked like i was too late for the bathroom the way my jeans looked! he felt soo bad, but i thought it was funnie. =) very much a thing that happens to me. and that is very much okay... the pics are from the yard around the Bluff Lake restaurant. humble♥

2008-07-12T22:56:00.001-05:00

have a blessed Sunday! humble ♥

whadda beautiful blog*land we have!

2008-07-11T23:18:00.005-05:00

thank*you for all your lovely comments ~ and warm welcoming hi's. from looking at the blogs ~ there are alot of wonderful, gracious people ~ very caring and sharing. it is very humbling to see all the talent out there, too. i have been reading a few blogs for months now, and it is great to see how we have become friends. i have seen the journaling comments from stories of pain/sorrow to the joy/happiness ones. i have cried and smiled with them. from a blog expressing the pain of a loved one who is hurt. to laughing at another blog because she heard a clunk and it was her husband, he fell out of bed. i still am giggling over that one! not laughing at them, with them. i feel i can laugh with her, because my husband fell out of bed years ago, and it still is funnie... sorry hunnie. =) it is a great world to join ~ this blog land. thank*you for encouraging and inspiring me. i look forward to your visits and comments. humble ♥

my therapist... =)

2008-07-10T23:34:00.004-05:00

i am in love with my therapist ~ do not tell my hubby! he is only 2 years old, and is the best! ♥ he is our grandson ~ and this " maam'ma " loves him sooo much! ♥ i had ~owen~ therapy today and i cherish every moment with him! we are soo blessed. humble ♥

sweet repose

2008-07-09T19:16:00.007-05:00

does that name just sound so peaceful? Sharon, another great encouraging friend that has wanted me to blog ~ has a site name just that http://thefabricofsweetrepose.blogspot.com/ i have known Sharon for years ~ we love alot of similiar things, too, especially flowers, plants, and antiques. her shop was one of my favorites ~friends~. she now has her hand*did soaps & yummy candles, and furniture in a wonderful shop by kalona ~sisters~. many pieces of furniture in my house are from the old store ~friends, sharons' pieces from her pink chateau and pipers', sisters', and manleys'. stop at her blog and see her wonderful photos of kalona ~ sisters, and manleys antique shop. i use her soap all the time! i used to have permanent dirt stains from working outside, painting furniture, etc... on my fingers ~ no more ~ she has the most wonderful scents. even just sitting by the sink it smells good, then when u use it, it just re-juvenates the scent again. i love it ♥ hugs m'friend humble♥

so thank*ful

2008-07-08T19:27:00.017-05:00

this computer/technology stuff is wayyy complicated for this ol' gal... but with a kindred soul ~ my angel it is easier! Dawn,http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/ my sweet dear friend, helped me with this bloggy thing, and bless her ♥ she is soo lovely. she designed the blog header, it is so gorgeous! she did the colors for me ~ everything! i love it all, Dawn!! ♥ she walked me thru the the 'stuff' on here, she has patience~so appreciate you. i have been thru some trying times here of late, and she has been there for me, and thought this would be good for me. i had even put it off, made up a comment, and it got a response, from someone else in this great blog-land. so to me that is one of my signs. i believe that there are not coincidences, it is all from God. the people you meet, the things in nature u see, the trials in life are all from Him. thank*u to my dear sweet angel, Dawn.http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/ Bless u, m'friend. humble♥

vintage bottle label

2008-07-08T18:56:00.009-05:00

this is the bottle label i did for the mind wide open contest.http://www.mind-wideopen.blogspot.com/ i could not git the image to come off the colors as shown, so went with the colors greyish/black as it decided to do its' own thing. i had this vintage bottle, vintage lace and it looked good with the image. i cut out the image and inked the edges. glued the lace all around the bottle, then the image. i put the rhinestone dots on her flowers by her face. i cut out a pinkish rose from a tag, glued that on, then used the sepia accents on stamped clock hands, which point to the word ~ remembrance. glued on a silver heart charm and key under the letters remembrance. each was individually cut out ~ very small ~ and glue bottle was not co-operating so the air from the glue bottle, huffed the letters around, so sent me searching for them... it is always an adventure! ♥ love the fun time i had making this. i so thank*u gail http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/ for blessing us with this contest! we are all winners by being featured on her page! best wishes to all who entered. humble ♥

i am soo grateful ♥ humbled

2008-07-07T15:02:00.007-05:00

today i am starting a new venture ~ this wonderful blogging world that i wanted to join. i have visited many sites, and have commented on a few ~ and have made many new friends. ♥ thank*u all for your encouragement ~ support ~ and love. humble♥

Humble♥Heart

~a slice of heaven~

~♥nashville here we come & darling i'll be home soon♥~

~♥more nesting on a COLD! day~♥~

~♥ Valentines' day heart shaped red velvet cupcakes♥~

~♥cat scratch fever?♥~

~♥end of january nesting♥~

*great strength comes from faith in GOD*

~the sun is inside our house tonite!~

~♥1*11*11♥~

~♥sweet,sweet day filled with lotsa hugs♥~

~♥CHRISTMAS DECOS ARE BEING TAKEN DOWN♥~

~♥some necklaces I have created♥~

~♥Our Gifts♥~

~♥Gods' beauty...♥~

~♥ WISHING YOU A BLESSED TWENTY ELEVEN ♥~

~♥ HAVE A VERRIE MERRIE *CHRIST*MAS! ♥~

~♥PRETTY SNOW & LITES♥~

~♥ANOTHER NEW ADVENTURE♥~

~♥WE ARE SOO BLESSED ♥~

~♥ G'MAS' LIL' PRINCESS IS GROWING UP FAST! ♥~

~♥ lovin' this weather! ♥~

~Hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day week*end~

~♥ SWEET GLASS CABINET/CUPBOARD ♥~

~♥ MISS YOU... WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU..~♥

~♥ IT IS A HAPPY TIME... SOOO BLESSED! ♥~

~pretty soon...

~♥ me at almost three ♥♥♥

~♥~ there's a theme going on here...~♥~

~♥~ HOPE ~♥~

~♥~ is it a bird? a plane? no it is... ~♥~

~♥~ it is pretty, but...

~♥~ SOO THANK♥FUL ~♥~

~♥~ We are waiting ~♥~

remember our feathery friends...

g'ma's cookie monster...♥♥♥

~ another drizzle-ley day ~

~ some brightness on a rainy day ~

~ my lil' rainman & furry friends ~

~ school has started once agin... ~

~ PROJECTS EARLIER THIS SUMMER... ~

~ my treat everyday...~

~ my lil' o.k. boy treats jar ~

~ HOPE ~

~ long time no blog... huh? ~

~ happy may day ~

Ron & JoAnnA

Easter Loves ♥

another post? more dolls?

~ my purpose doll ~ walk by faith, not by sight ~

~ where o' where have i been? ~

~ * have you seen this yet?*~

now... it is ~ baby! it! is! cold! outside!!!

so warm & cozy

moving santas to snopeople

fun kitchen lite...

~ may 2009 *shine* in His love ~

~ may your new year be filled with love ~

~ crazy, crazy weather!!! ~

~ ♥ a verrie merrie CHRISTmas ♥ ~

~ the other days were cold, but this was a frigid Sunday ~

~ another visit from the brrrrr *angels* ~

~ baby it is cold outside! ~

~ the wonderful seasons of iowa ~

~ a snowy hello ~

~ my 'lil 'o' s.... ~

~ doesn't this make you wanna smile ??? ~

~ still trying to git this 'puter fixed... ~

~ a wonderful friday ~

~ computer is back home, but still slow...

~ 'why' wonder... ~

~ i enjoy my flowers ~

~ a fun friday with m'friend ~

~ take the time to notice the flowers ~

~ contest entry ~

~ sucha sweet blessing ...

random acts ~

a beautiful booth ~ now

a wonderful outdoor antique show

94 mph winds...

great strength comes from faith in GOD

~♥11111♥~

~♥ HAVE A VERRIE MERRIE CHRISTMAS! ♥~

~ may 2009 shine in His love ~

~ another visit from the brrrrr angels ~