~Sweet, Thoughtful, Kind, Loving~

What Darling Man!

Stargazer Lillies are my favorite flower!

My Wonderful Sweetie surprised me with flowers! I have always loved Stargazer's, and he always remembers....

Can I hear a collective AWWWWW!!!?

Okay....no more complaining about TP Supplies!! (not really)

Bless you on this Sunday Morning~

~Honey...Put It On Your List~

I may be a little weird here....but often times I ponder the differences between men and women. Do you ever do that? Take for instance last night...I am bringing the dog in from subzero temperatures, my nose frozen and burning, and underneath my 10 lb. winter coat I'm soaking wet from a hot flash! My hubby walks around the corner sporting a, "dire look" on his face. He says very seriously, "Honey, we're out of toilet paper...put it on your list." In my present state of menopause, with the hot flashes, mood swings, memory issues and facial hair, I naturally assume that I may have forgotten the toilet paper at the store. But then I remember just this week picking up a huge package at the store. "Aahhh yes, I remember it well." So I investigated....this is what I found!

Just in Case!
Ready to Roll!
Aahhh..the supply...
I patiently explain to my ever-lovin' that there is more "toilet paper in this house than we would need in a year!" Yes yes, he knows all about that. But the SUPPLY closet is empty!! Uh yes...the supply closet.....

The good thing is that he tells me these things...the bad thing is that he tells me these things.
Just pondering..........

~Christmas Magic~

The Sparkling Artist~Sweet Mom~

I look forward each year to decorating for Christmas, and I love the holiday feel in my home. I welcome each item as it is removed from the box, where its been carefully stored over the year. Every piece holds a sweet memory of a time, a place and a person. I delight in the memories of people and places that have colored my life with the Spirit of Christmas. I have decided to share some of those memories and people in a few posts during this holiday season.

I treasure Christmas tree ornaments, and the most special and spectacular ornaments are the ones that my mom made in the 1970's & 1980's. They are each so beautiful and so unique! What a joy to see her creative spirit in every bead and bauble. Every one is a labor of love. Aren't they fabulous? The remind me of miniature Faberge eggs! My mom has an eye for beauty...and she is beautiful!

Shimmering Gold

Christmas Stocking Filled with Gifts!

Keep the Lamp on for Santa!

Wintry Jeweled Vignette

Icy Robin's Egg Blue with Leaping Deer

I will add more of her marvelous creations during the Holiday Season...You will be amazed!

Blessings Friends~

~On a Lighter Note.....~

Happy Thanksgiving All~~

~Thankful Heart~

On this day before Thanksgiving, I continued with a list that I began some time ago. A list of all of the good things for which I am grateful. Then it occurred to me, that it is easy to be thankful for the wonderful things that have happened throughout the year, but much harder to rejoice in the difficult things that have come my way. The trials that have strengthened me, situations that have lent to character building, and most importantly, compassion for others. These too, are a part of life to be thankful for, an integral piece of who I am. So...this Thankful day, I will take joy in the happy times as well as the sorrowful moments, knowing that the sorrow will lead me through the pathway of perseverance. "And We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving, I am so grateful each and everyone you. May your tummies be full, your hearts even fuller. Blessings~

HELLLOOOO~It's a Vegetable!!

First, I would like to thank everyone so much for your help with my wreath...You have given me some excellent ideas that are pulling me out of the quicksand of indecision and design-block!
And from my heart I thank you for taking your time to help! I will post the finished product soon.
Now onto breakfast...this is what I had..yes, pumpkin pie and whipped cream for breakfast! Who does this?? If I were NOT on a DIET, I would NOT be having pumpkin pie and whipped cream for breakfast!! It's a Crazy mind game I tell you! But (I told myself) it IS a VEGETABLE!! Geesh!! I think I'm losing it!!!
Blessings~

~Help!~

I have been working on this wreath, I found these marvelous flowers a few years ago in a shop in Illinois. I have been trying to make a wreath that would be as spectacular as the flowers....and I am stumped! Help me Rhonda!! You know, how you know that something"s not right? Some thing is missing, or perhaps the balance is not right...but I am just blank. Then I got the best idea! I'll ask my blogging friends, because of course you are the most talented people I have ever met. So, what does it need? A bow? Something....Hmmmmm! Thank you so much!

Blessings~

~Antiquing in Iowa!~

Welcome to Marshalltown Antiques! This is Monica, the lady who runs this enormous Store! In addition to being able to take you to exactly what you are looking for..she is a wealth of information about the history of Marshalltown and just the Sweetest Lady! (The ruby glass pitcher, and king size chenille bedspread are my treasures!) Notice the tin tiles cascading down the walls of the staircase.

This is a picture of the ceiling-notice the tin tiles! The tiles cover the ceiling and then extend about 4 feet down the sides of the walls. Beautiful! The building is 111 years old. It was a merchantile store.

Pretty hanging lamps were everywhere! This is the kind of shop that you have to look up down and sideways to take in everything...it's pretty near impossible to see it all at one single visit.

There were linens for days!! Boxes and boxes and rows upon rows, of Beautiful linens, lace and feedsacks.

This is but ONE of the many salt & pepper cabinets. Cute Cute!!

This antique store is inside of a huge building that is a block long. It has 5 Stories. Only 2 stories are antiques though...but that's enough! It would take hours to see everything!

Beautiful Cabinet-there are two of these matching! Can you see the carved angels on top? The only difference between them are the poses of the angels on top. (the other one is to the right)

I had such fun in this wonderful store...didn't even see half of it and I spent 3 hours there! Everything in the store is on consignment, down to the smallest item. I was fascinated that they could keep track of every item like that! My head was spinning like a top contemplating the paperwork involved!

Blessings~

~Anything for a Cookie!~

"Uh-Oh!"

"Ignore her....maybe she will go away."

" Hold that Pose!!!" "Don't move now!"

"Anything for a Cookie"

"Enough Already...Where's the cookie?"

~Simplicity~

As I prepare for the Holidays, my studio is awash with fabrics, patterns, and a sea magazine clippings of beautiful things that I have painstakingly chosen to re-create for my family and friends for Christmas gifts. I've gotten my grocery lists completed, and my Christmas card list laying out ready to go. The cards of course, were purchased last year at the after Christmas sale. I do this each year, and each year I am so happy with the results, but not necessarily the means in which I chose to take to get the results. See....I'm a bit of a perfectionist...need I say more?? It drives me CrAzY!!

Today I was reading my morning devotional which teaches me new things as well as reminding me of other things I have forgotten. As my brain chooses to suck in and hold trivia like a Hoover Vacuum cleaner, you can clearly see why a Daily devotional is perfect for me. Back to perfection...I read this today and thought I would share it with you. It is from "Soul Retreats for Women."

"Do I strive for perfection in my life?" Perhaps you don't strive for perfection all the time, but are there some areas of your life where you feel that you are not quite good enough? Where you just don't measure up to what you "should" be? Do you keep trying harder to be a better woman but your efforts never seem to be good enough? Does it seem that somebody keeps moving the mark on the measuring stick a few notches higher? (Now...who could that be?)

Striving for perfection is an impossible quest; perfection is a myth and forever out of reach. Aim for excellence, instead. Excellence has nothing to do with outward appearances or with what you accomplish or with what you possess. Excellence depends solely on what you are from God's perspective-and God doesn't focus on your flaws.

When you seek God's ideal, you will throw away your measuring stick. You don't need one that marks success and quality of life by the world's standards. Christ requires only simplicity of heart."

Whew!! What a blessing to read this...before I start spinning in circles!

Simplicity--what a beautiful word.

Blessings~

~Christmas Gifts & Corn Rows!~

Yes, I know this is a weird combo here! But I couldn't wait to show you the new pillow I made....and I couldn't resist this photo of the harvested cornfield! I just love it! Since I am a geometrically challenged person....this field really appeals to me. I am attracted to the bumpy, wavy, straightness (is that a word?) of it. As I watched the farmer go up, then down, then up, down again...I secretly wondered if he took sea sick pills before he began. As for me....well I found myself hanging on to the porch rail for support!! Have a Wonderful Weekend!!

~In the Morning....

"Light is sweet,

And it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

However many years a man may live,

Let him enjoy them all."

Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

What a glorious sunrise this morning! How Thankful I am that I did not miss it!

Sometimes the greatest joys are found in the peaceful stillness of a quiet heart.

May you find your greatest joy this day!

Blessings~

~Veterans Day~

To All Of Our Military Soldiers & Their Precious Families~Past And Present~Thank You For Your Sacrifice and May God Bless You Abundantly! We are so Proud of You! Keep Steadfast; Keep Strong and Return Home to a Grateful Nation and Loving Arms.
Blessings~

~God Bless the Stewards of Our Land~

It's harvest time on our little hilltop! Farmer John is out combining the corn, working hard to catch up for time lost! We are so happy to see Farmer John because when he takes the corn, he gives us a glorious view in return...miles upon miles of beautiful plains. Stay tuned for some beautiful vistas!

Blessings~

~Frost~

Good Morning~It looks like the frost has arrived! It's a beautiful icy cold morning with tiny alps of frost gathering on my porch. Aren't they lovely? I almost wish it was White Wednesday!! Enjoy the moment!
Blessings~

~Vat the Heck, Ole?~

Good Morning!~It's a lovely day here in Iowa~the farmer's continue to rush to get the corn in as the weather has delayed harvest this year. God Bless them, as they are working day and night. My husbands' family originally settled in Minnesota, and have farmed there for generations. They are good and honest salt of the earth folks who rely on God and common sense for their daily bread. My hubby and I just love getting together with them. I received this cute joke the other day.....just had to share it with you!

Ole's car was hit by a truck in an accident. In court, the trucking company's lawyer was questioning Ole.

"Didn't you say, sir, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm Fine,?' asked the lawyer.

Ole responded, "Vell, I'll tell you vat happened. I had yust loaded my favorite mule, Bessie, into da...."

"I didn't ask you any details" the lawyer interrupted. "Just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, "I'm fine?"

Ole said, :Vell, I had yust got Bessie into da trailer and I vas driving down the road...."

The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question."

By this time, the Judge was fairly interested in Ole's answer and said to the lawyer, "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule, Bessie."

Ole thanked the Judge and proceeded. "Vell, as I vas saying, I had yust loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into da trailer and vas driving her down da higvay ven dis huge semi-truck and trailer ran da stop sign and smacked my truck right in da side. I vas trown into one ditch and Bessie vas trown into da other. I vas hurting real bad and didn't vant to move. However, I could hear Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape yust by her groans. Shortly after da accident da Higheay Patrolman, he came to da scene...He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he vent over to her...

"After he looked at her and saw her fatal condition he took out his gun and shot her right 'tween da eyes.

Den da Patrolman, he came across da road, gun still smoking, looked at me and said, "How are you feeling?"

"Now vat DA heck vould YOU say?"

Blessings~

The muscial selection for this post is "Fields of Gold" sung by Eva Cassidy

~It's A Harvest Moon!~The Farmers Are Working!

Did you see that moon last night? Oh my goodness but it was spectacular! A harvest moon! The farmers here are working on the cornfields now having already combined the beans. They work from sun up to sun down! They are getting closer to my house!! Our house is situated right smack dab on top of a hill, the back-back yard borders up against a cornfield. During the late fall and through winter and spring, the view from the back is far reaching and just beautiful! But in the summer, we are afforded a bit more privacy with the tall corn stalks. I love the change, and the view...and the corn. We have deer in our yard often-they like the corn too! Many times as I drive down the hill, I have to stop the truck and let the deer pass. How beautiful they are! I enjoy the fawns with their big eyes and white spots. I have my camera ready to snap some photos...I keep missing them..darn! My husband calls me the "deer stalker" as I am forever trying to get photos of them!! They're slippery though--one false move and they're gone like a shot! I am not the most graceful gal anyway....in my haste to "capture the moment" I usually trip over the rugs, or spill the dog's water...It's not easy being a paparazzi!! Happy Monday!

Blessings~

~See Ya Next Year!"~

I was up early this morning before the sun came up waiting patiently for yet another glorious sunrise to share with you..well, I got busy with morning chores and missed the red sky as the sun rose. I got to the back porch just as the clouds opened up just a bit, allowing the sun to shine through. What beautiful color! Instead of reds and oranges...blues, and purples, pinks and yellows. Stunning!
Look at the branches of the little tree, all barren and ready for winter! A few tiny leaves hanging on, not ready to go, waiting for a gust of wind to send them on their journey into the fields beyond. Yesterday was a very windy day, and the leaves from the trees were thick and blowing in swirls then up into the sky, they seem to be saying, "See ya next year!"
Time to get out the ol' rake and mower for the last time this year, and in their place, the shovel and snow blower....I feel like the tiny leaves left on the tree..I know it's comin' and I'll be ready, but I'm just not ready to let go!
Blessings~