~WHAT THE......??

Bark! Bark bark!! Bark! GRRRRRRRR! Bark! Bark bark!! That's how I woke up this morning! "Freeway Shhhhh!" Bark...bark....bark bark.

So I get up and this is what I see out the front window! Now you might be thinking, not unusual, my dog would bark at horses too...right? Well, Freeway has been around these very same horses, for 7 or 8 months now, sees them on a daily basis with their riders and never once has barked at them, so what's different?? Nobody is riding them!!!! Yes, I do believe that when Freeway sees the horses everyday as they are being ridden right in front of the house, she thinks they are weird cars or something! She just stands there and watches them go by, very calmly, no big deal, the rider says hi to her, and she wags her tail. But put them out to pasture with no rider...and she goes Berserk!!!! Put a rider on them; she's fine with that. I just think that is the funniest thing! I am just doubled over with delight! I love that ol' dog!

Blessings~

~Ordinary or Extraordinary?~

Seeing the beauty in the ordinary, that perhaps was once missed

In favor of, or rather because of our busy lives and crowded minds.

As I was reading my morning devotional I came across a beautiful poem written by Charlotte Adelsperger.

"God can paint rich hues

on the misty memories of my past.

He can shine a guiding ray

on my choices for the future.

But God's love reigns best

when he, in nearness, holds

this very moment in his hand."

Delight in the moment, cherish the past, and welcome the future.

Blessings Friends~

~Hee-Haw!! Look At Her Go!! Ride Em' Cowgirl!~

Look at her go!!

Do you remember when my mom visited? Well, we had such a wonderful time together, lots of laughter and fun...we even did some crafts together! Lunches, shopping, and exploring. Well, the day to mow the lawn came, and mom asked what she could do to help...I have some old metal chairs that I have repainted, and then painted a little country vignette on each one. I mentioned that she might like to paint some stars on one of the pieces. And she did...

I got on the mower and began to mow..around and around...on about the 3rd time around as I passed my mom on the deck, I stopped and asked if she would like to get on and mow for awhile. Whoo Hoo!! She loved it!! Isn't she adorable? She mowed for about an hour (with me running around behind her taking pictures). At 81, I was concerned that perhaps she might be sore the next day, so I took over to give her a break.....15 minutes later, she's back out and ready to mow again!!

The next day...I had trouble getting out of bed, as my legs were so sore from running after the mower for photos...my mom felt WONDERFUL! She said she'd much rather mow than sit there and paint! Here's my question....when did my mom become YOUNGER than I am??

~In The Pink~

In honor of the dreary, cold Saturday we are having here in the Midwest...I decided to make a Pink Sunshine Rag Quilt! Cheerful, right?? It works for me! Hope your day is filled with Family, Friends & Cuddles.

Blessings~

Welcoming Fall~A New Tradition/An Old Favorite~

Wow! It's been a long time! Wishing you a delightful Fall season filled with the beautiful colors
of nature, warm apple cider, & cozy slippers (pink of course). Have fun switching out and changing up to bring these colors indoors as well. My wonderful hubby will leave for meetings on Sunday, and by the time he walks through the door next week, he will think he is in the wrong house!
Traditionally fall has never been my favorite time of year, as it was always the end of something wonderful~~SUMMER!! But this year I have decided to embrace every season as it comes! Yes, it's time to turn a new golden leaf. I have been creating yard-long quilted tablerunners with deep cranberry, browns and yellows, and even orange, (a far cry from pink) and have enjoyed every minute of it. For this post an old favorite, "September Song" sung beautifully by the great Sarah Vaughn.
Also, I have been taking care of yearly check-ups before the weather comes...all good news, thank the Good Lord. I do need to lose some weight so the treadmill is my new friend, and I'm even discovering that although it was a challenge to actually get myself motivated, once I did it has become easier to do it as exercise makes me conscience of so many other areas of my health. I find that I chose healthier foods when I exercise, sinus' are clearer (even with a cornfield drying in the backyard!), and my goodness I am even losing a little weight!!
Of course I can't feel my ribs for the rolls yet!, but I'm working on it (smile).
One more thing I wanted to share with you....
My mom called last week, and told me about a wonderful skin cream. I have a slight skin condition, Keratosis Pilaris, and have spent a small fortune on creams and lotions, perscriptions, to help with itching, to no avail. Well, I have been putting this lotion on for 3 days and I'm telling you it's FABULOUS! This lotion has gotten rid of the itching and burning that has bugged me for 3 years! Those little bumps on my arms and back are disappearing! I have a few small skin tags on my neck which are now barely noticible, and are so tiny, they can hardly be felt!! Let me tell you, I am so excited! So I had to share this bit of wonderful news with you, in case you might also be experiencing some kind of skin issues. Thanks MOM!! The product is AMLACTIN, and I purchased it at Hyvee, but I have seen it at Walgreens as well. I must also include a disclaimer that I have no financial interest or any other interest in this product. I just wanted to share with you a wonderful product. I also found their website as I was trying to find out where to buy it, and the company offers printable coupons on the site for two and five dollars. So...if your skin feels itchy, creepy crawly, burning, dry...Bleck...have a go at this lotion!
Blessings Friends!

~Bwana Vicki & Crazy Mike~

Yawning peacefully before the gator story.

My dearest, sweet friend Vicki sent me these pictures! Isn't she just too funny! Everytime I look at these pictures I just have to laugh. Vicki is THE ONE and only person that I know who embraces aging, and does it so well. She has always been an old soul, and is just growing into her season. Isn't that marvelous! What a wonderful attitude! She is on the left, her brother Mike ("doesn't everyone have a brother named Mike?"), is on the right. She was visiting him in Florida and he talked her into a trekk down a river bird watching. It was only AFTER they were canoeing that Mike told her the gators were everywhere down this river. She doesn't really know if there were gators there as she didn't actually see one, but she was terrified the entire time! And that's the story of Crazy Mike and his adventurous sis Bwana Vicki.

~When the Scrap Basket is Full...Go Raggin'!~

Good Morning All! As I was packing up my sewing room for this move, I found that I had so many scraps of fabric that were way to small to use for quilts or pillows...but big enough to keep! Oh yes, I'm a fabric hoarder! (wink) I organized all of the scraps into a big basket that my dear friend Vicki made for me. Everytime I make something and have little cuttings of fabric leftover..into the basket they go! When the basket is chock-full, it's time to make a rag rug! This rag rug will be tied and locker hooked with a pretty pink & white carnation in the middle. I love rugs, and it is so hard to find pretty, rugs that don't cost a fortune. This is a wonderful craft to use up scraps and create something unique, excersise old Arthur, and easy to do while watching a good movie!
What do you do with your scrappy's?
Blessings~

~....Cupcakes From Scratch!!!!!~

Yesterday was a quiet day, very peaceful and relaxing. I watched a movie, played with the doggy and worked on a new rag rug. Then I really got creative! I found a new recipe from that GREAT site Mennonite Girls Can Cook for Pineapple Cupcakes...I must confess, I am the world's worst baker! Even store bought cookie dough that you slice and heat don't come out for me. Hubby usually does all of the baking around here. He makes wonderful fudge, and an "Out of this world" apple pie. Blonde brownies are his trademark. Anyway, before I begin salivating...I decided to bake these cupcakes as a surprise for my prince charming when he got home. They are baked from scratch, AND they came out Delicious!! Light..fluffy, and I just love that cream cheese frosting. With bits of crushed pineapple, very refreshing! Hubby was so surprised!!