Lily's Pad and Petals

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Giveaway

2011-08-06T20:06:00.004-04:00

over at Coastal Charm -

HURRY ends tomorrow.

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2011/08/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no73-and-chalk.html

Good luck everyone,
Syvlia

From one extreme to the other

2011-05-22T12:54:00.000-04:00

I work out of my house most of the time. I have enjoyed this arrangement until just recently when I kept getting knocks on my door or my door bell rung.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-social or anything but when you work from home, you acquire a set discipline, just as if you are in a place of business and these constant interruptions, well, they interupt that flow.

One day, between client phone calls and the constant door bell interuptions, I had it. In keeping with my current "de-cluttering" lifestyle, I decided to go to my craft closet and pull out some dollar store picture frames. I typed up my sentiment and framed it. Found some black left over ribbon and hung up my picture frame.

Then I felt bad.......

So I created this one too.

So now I place them out depending on my mood or the day of the week. Not bad, sitting next to my Dollar Store baskets and Daisy right?

xoxo,

Sylvia

Not your Mama's CHALK BOARD

2011-02-28T19:53:00.008-05:00

Love stainless steel appliances and love that you can't typically put refrigerator magnets on a stainless steel refrigerator. BUT..... Came across this and couldn't help myself

Up close

What do you think?

Linking up to :
Sunday Showcase
Keeping it Simple
Coastal Charm
the Girl Creative
Primative and Proper
Extreme Personal Measures
Tip me Tuesdays
Get Your Craft On
Thrifty Thursdays

Unexpected

2011-02-03T21:01:00.003-05:00

I have a client who grows orchids. I visited with them today and look at this new beauty they are growing - a Blue Orchid. Isn't it just gorgeous and unexpected?

Linking up to : Outdoor Wednesdays
Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Fertilizer Friday

Happy 2011

2010-12-30T21:40:00.009-05:00

Sending prayers on Angel Wings....
Wishing you all a Happy, Prosperous, Healthy, Joyous and Peaceful 2011.

These were on my dining room chairs this Christmas.

Ignore the mess in the background - as I was putting away my dining room Christmas decor, I realized that I hadn't shared pictures with you of my decor this season. Caught a quick glimpse of the remains of my dining room (my angel wing chairs).

I promise to do better and will definately incorporate this again next Christmas so stick with me. This year has been a whirlwind for me, new challenges at work, and at home have made it almost impossible to participate in blogland. I am catching up slowly but surely and didn't want the year to end without sending out my best wishes to each and every one of you my dear blog friends.

Participating in:
Show and Tell Friday, at My Romantic Home
Favorite Things
Get your craft on Life as Lori
The Shabby Chic - Transformation Thursday
White Wednesdays at Faded Charm
Strut your Stuff at Somewhat Simple
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
SNS at Funky Junk Interiors
Everything but the Kitchen Sink at a Little Knick Knack

Fall / Halloween Decor

2010-10-05T21:12:00.000-04:00

I have been absent for so long I almost forgot how to get this post going. I have had some changes in my day time life that have prohibited me from posting as often as I intended to. My day job has taken me through so many changes in the past several months and the travel that has gone along with these changes has made it difficult to take time out for myself. So for the last couple of weeks I have taken some time to decorate my Florida home for Fall.

Nope, Florida really doesn't have any seasons. Only season we ever see and feel is hot, humid Summer but I had felt the need to attempt to decorate my home in the rich colors and "feeling" of Fall. I added Halloween to the mix - what is Fall without a little Halloween?

Thanks to all my Friends/Followers for sticking with me through my journey.

WELCOME

These are my Dollar Store wreaths, 1- rattan wreath, 2- fall garlands, 1- Fall flower bunch (cut it up and stuck the flowers where I needed to fill in) . Not bad for $4 each.

Sideboard with some rafia pumpkins, turkeys that my daughter and I painted and put together, acorns and my bottles of poison.

What's your poison ?

A simple centerpiece (simple is in this year). A pumpkin soup tureen, the ladle is one of the leaves; sitting on a fall leaves placemat.

My Haunted House (terrible picture I know - don't know what happened to my crappy camera). I wanted you to see the details on the tree as well as the miniature skulls, spiders and pumpkins.

Goblins and more goblins.

A smiling glass pumpkin. I light up the candle every night and the glow is amazing.

Love this bubble candle ! You can't see it in this picture, but when it's lit, the inside bubbles up and the ghosts and goblins move around.

Boo !! Aren't these the cutest ?

And last but not least, my absolute FAVORITE piece, a skeleton that my Daughter made in pre-school over 20 years ago. It is made from paper plates and yarn.

Happy Fall everyone and many blessings this season.

Dollar Store Hurricane

2010-08-08T15:38:00.000-04:00

$3 Dollar Tree Hurricane -

$1 for the candle holder, $1 for the glass vase and $1 for the white rocks.

Pink Roses given to me by my daughter = PRICELESS !!!!!

Wannabe Darcy

2010-06-27T12:03:00.003-04:00

I have coveted the famous Darcy Chair since she first made her debut but at $425 a pop, no way was I going to splurge on them.

What called me to her was her feminine flair. She is so graceful and I had to have her. I wanted six but wasn't willing to put down a small fortune for them.

Image - Rachel Ashwell

So I have been on a mission ever since to try and find a wannabe Darcy chair and I think I found her.

What do you think? Close enough?

I love her feminine curves (just like Darcy's) and they are a dream to sit on. I paid $65 a piece and got my 6 chairs.

Now on to my new dilema...

Do I paint them out white or light grey or keep them as is? I do plan on making them a skirt (when I get brave enough to do it). I would love your opinions.

Linking up to:
Sunday Showcase Party
Todays Thrifty Treasures
Nifthttp://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/y Thrifty

Table Makeover

2010-06-18T22:23:00.008-04:00

I have been away for so long I think I have forgotten how to take pictures. The pictures that follow are so blurry and the light is so bad that it is almost embarassing. I decided to use them regardless since I haven't posted in such a long time I bet some of you thought I up and moved.

This is a table I had in my living, hand painted by someone (don't know who) . I loved the curves of the table and the carvings and moldings but I felt they got lost in the creamy paint .

SO out came the trusted supplies I already had on hand AND my helper:

And on to the finished product:

See the beauty of the carvings?

This picture shows the true grey color it is.

Linking up to:

Frugalicious Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Frugal Fridays
Saturday Night Special
Weekend Wrap Up
Favorite Things Friday
New Friends Fridays
Friday Furniture Feature
DIY Showoff
Just Something I Whipped Up
Motivate me Monday

Maxine

2010-06-05T18:53:00.000-04:00

Change and Inspiration ...

2010-05-25T21:20:00.001-04:00

I have been away for some time due to business with my day job. The only thing constant in business is CHANGE and boy am I getting a whiff of it now. I am extremely grateful to have a job in these trying times and am not complaining in the least, rather expressing some challenges that are coming by way.

I work for a very large company and have been at my current job for 17 years. Yes I have been through my ups and downs with this company, but few people stay at a job for 17 years unless they love the job and the company. I love both.

The company is going in a new direction where almost everyone in my division will be re-training. This will enable us to better service our clients. The first problem is, the training consisted of two and a half days of one product and two and a half days of the second product. The second problem is, we go live with this new service model on June 1, 2010 and we just got back from training. Can you say STRESS. We are all chasing our tails, learning as we go along and not letting on to our clients that we haven't been trained. STRESS.

So.. needed some relaxing pictures to distract me tonight and came across these....

I think I found these images on Cote de Texas.

Sorry I haven't been visiting you all lately but I promise to catch up this weekend. Oh and I have some good stuff coming up so stayed tuned.

WINNER

2010-05-16T09:54:00.000-04:00

Chosen by Random Number Generator, the Winner of the $40 CSN Giveaway is:

Sherry at Country Wings in Phoenix

True Random Number Generator

Result:
21

Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations Sherry !!!! I will be emailing you shortly or feel free to contact me.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-07T22:05:00.000-04:00

Sweet and simple like most Moms I know.

Don't forget to check out my giveaway Here

$40 CSN Giveaway !!!!!

2010-05-04T21:36:00.002-04:00

CSN Giveaway

I was approached by CSN Stores to select to review an item for myself or have the opportunity to giveaway a $40 gift certificate to one of my followers. I chose the gift certificate for one of you.

CSN sells merchandise from the top manufacturers in the world. They have over 200 stores where you can shop for furniture, lighting, shoes, housewares, kids and baby, health and fitness and much more. Check it out for yourself by visiting CSN for yourself.

I am Chandelier obsesed and stumbled onto these beauties at CSN Lighting:

To enter this giveaway:

1. Visit CSN Lighting and leave a comment telling me what you would pick if you won.

2. If you are a follower you will get an extra entry.

3. Blog about this giveaway and it will get you another entry (leave me a link to your blog post).

Please leave me a separate comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that you can be contacted if you are the winner.

This giveaway will end May 18, 2010 and is open to the US and Canada!

*There may be shipping charges or in the case of Canadian readers, international fees, for certain products.*

**The gift certificate for this giveaway was provided at no cost by CSN Stores. No product was received and this was not a paid post. My honest opinions have been given, however others experiences and opinions may differ from my own**

Good luck everyone !!!!!!!

Yard Art

2010-05-03T09:57:00.016-04:00

Next to front door.

A silver basket hanging from copper wiring and beads and a copper sprinkler.

My absolute favorite piece - He hangs under the overhang as you enter the front porch of our home, always keeping watch over our home and those who enter. LOVE HIM !!!!!

Back porch = Some of the bird houses I painted over 15 years ago (are they considered antiques now?). Will be putting them in the yard this year. The stained glass piece I bought at an art show (Moon and the Stars).

Have got to clean up my back porch as you can see the blue tarp and another sculpture (fish) behind the stained glass piece.

A cherub plaque hangs on the wall on our back porch and the rooster weather vane that needs some TLC don't you think?

Rusty mini watering can wreath that welcomes you to Home Tweet Home aviary.

Bird bath sitting atop an old column (the birds are using it for a nest at the moment) and another cherub, are you sensing I love cherubs?

And lastly (for now, don't want to bore you anymore) a lovely lily yard sculpture.

Check out this awesome GIVEAWAY.

Linking up to :
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Costal Charm
Outdoor Wednesdays at A Southern Daydreamer
Strut Your Stuff Thursdays at Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursdays at The Shabby Chic Cottage
Thrifty Thursdays at Tales from Bloggeritaville.
Frugalicious Fridays at Finding Fabulous
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest.
New Friend Fridays at The Girl Creative
Show and Tell Fridays at My Romantic Home
Fertilizer Fridays at Tootsie Time
SNS at Funky Junk Interiors
Weekend Wrap up at Tatertots and Jello

"Time" for an Update....

2010-04-30T13:34:00.000-04:00

Today I received a package from a giveaway I won from Melaine at My Sweet Savannah. I couldn't open it fast enough. It's a blue shabby clock hands from Wisteria.

Isn't she WONDERFULL ??????

Here's a closer look.

I hung her in my Family Room which is decorated in a modern dark version of French Country and she fits in perfectly with the browns, blues and yellow. PERFECTLY.

Stop over and visit My Sweet Savannah and check out her beautiful blog you will not be disappointed.

UPDATES:

This is what I woke up to this morning

Remember the lettuce, cucumbers and squash I planted two weeks ago?

And look how the chair I planted two weeks ago has already filled itself out.

Bundt Pan Planter

2010-04-26T21:16:00.008-04:00

You saw this picture last week as a tease:

It's a bundt pan and I HATE it, ok hate is a strong word, I STRONGLY dislike it !!! You see everything sticks to it. No matter how much it is seasoned, or oiled and floured, this stubborn pan sticks, sticks, sticks. The final straw was two weeks ago, friends were coming over for coffee and I baked a lemon pound cake in it. You guessed it, a quarter of the cake stuck to the pan and would not come out. I threw it away in disgust. Pulled it out of the garbage (yep, sure did), cleaned her up and decided to make her earn her keep.

So I took a drill to her and drilled holes in the bottom.

Close up of the holes.

Added some succulents - will fill it in a little more later.

Now she is usefull at last.

Linking to House of Grace, Twice Owned Tuesdays, Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality, Second Time Around at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 words, Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm, DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land., Outdoor Wednesdays at a Southern Daydreamer, Fertilizer Fridays at Tootsie Time, Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello.

Napkins to Valance

2010-04-25T14:19:00.016-04:00

Needed a valance for a curtain that covers a french door in my bedroom but didn't want to commit or pay for a permanent valance. Decided to purchase napkins in the colors of my bedroom and hung them randomly over the tension rod that holds the curtain.

Liked it so much I decided to continue on to the other window.

This hangs over the window above my bed. The white curtain below is a Rachel Ashwell pique curtain. I needed a valance agan, so I bought four Rachel Ashwell napkins at Target, and a pack of 5 door knobs.

I took the napkins and sewed them together 1/4 of the way down each side. I left the other 3/4 open so they would drape nicely once hung.

I took the door knobs I bought and glude a thumb tack to the back and pressed it into the dry wall.

Took some ribbon I had laying around and sewed it to the napkins where they each met and hung them to the door knob/thumb tack contraption.

And there she hangs.

One more ... this is hanging in the adjoining bathroom and covers a closet. I took the bi-fold shutter style door down and covered the closet with a fabric shower curtain hung on a tension rod again. Same napkins as I used in the window over the bed.

Shower curtain wasn't long enough for the opening, so used a table runner across the bottom.

Love the informality and shabbiness of these looks and oh so inexpensive.

Linking up to Happy to Design Sunday Favorites and Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality, Metamorphisis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,Motivate me Monday at Keeping it Simple, The DIY Show Off, Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land, Tip Me Tuesdays at Tip Junky., Get yYour Craft On at Today's Creative Blog., A Few of My Favorite Things, Show and Tell Fridays at My Romantic Home, Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest., Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello. sunday Scoop at I heart Naptime

A Rose by any other name is still a Rose.

2010-04-22T20:17:00.000-04:00

Don't know her name, just call her Yellow Rose.

She is quite a bloomer too, she produces and produces...

She doesn't need a name as far as I'm concerned, I think I'll call her Pretty Yellow Rose from now on.

Earth Day

2010-04-21T22:15:00.000-04:00

Just in time for Earth Day I receive a package that I won from Bonnie at House of Grace. She recently had a Shaklee giveaway where I won $30 worth of products. I've heard of Shaklee but for some reason I thought they were vitamins, not cleaning products. Turns out they do have Health products as well as cleaning products. I chose Basic H concentrate cleaner and Scour Off paste products.

I've attempted to make my own soap in the past; laundry soap and bath soaps and both turned out good, and inexpensive, but what a hassle and a mess.

Of course, earth friendly is a big deal for me and Shaklee products are natural, non-toxic, superconcentrated, boidegradable surfactants and contains no phosphates. I recycle, re-use and re-purpose, and try not to throw anything away that still works - proof positive, my 20 year old kitchen sink:

Isn't it shiny ? I used Shaklee Scour Off, smells like candy and cleans like a dream. (I wasn't about to show you the before).

Stop over and visit Bonnie at House of Grace and check it out for yourself.

Lavender

2010-04-20T18:33:00.002-04:00

One ugly bucket and some Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint that I won from a giveway at

Kathy's, Creative Home Expressions

Drilled holes for drainage and this ugly duckling turned into

This sweet smelling pot of Lavender.

She is holding three small plants so this should fill out nicely. The smell is soothing and this is culinary lavender which can also be used to cook with.

Be sure to check out Kathy's blog HERE, she is friendly and she has just opened up a boutique.

Thrifty Finds

2010-04-18T20:17:00.003-04:00

$5.00 and a major haul - everything was $0.95 each.

Look at this old Anthropology pillow !!!! The crewel embroidery is fabulous.

Can you believe the price?

2 mik glass bowls - sweet and lacy looking.

Milk glass vase - will add ranunculus to this.

And last, a crystal candle stick - will be doing something with it - stay tuned.

Linking up to Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.

and Nifty Thrifty Treasures at Coastal Charm.

and Thrifty Thursdays at Tales from Bloggeritaville.

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Chair Planter

2010-04-17T23:06:00.019-04:00

This chair was part of the dining set we used as I was growing up (a true antique).

I took the seat off and created a "planter" of sorts with chicken wire.

Add a coco mat filler which will contain the soil.

Closer look at the coco mat.

Planted pansies and coleous.

And here she is in profile. Love the way she turned out.

And here she is two weeks later.

The "babies" below are cucumber, squash, lettuce and marigolds (to keep the bugs away).

So far the lettuce is winning the race.

And this is next week's project - stay tuned.

Linking up to:

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors.
Furniture Feature Friday at Mustard Seed Creations.
Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello.
Metamorphsis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.
Before and After Party at Thrifty Décor Chick
Motivate me Monday at Keeping it Simple
The DIY Show Off at The DIY Show Off.
Just Something I Whipped Up at the The Girl Creative
My Sundae Scoop at Chocolate Sundaes...
Made by You at Skip to My Lou.
Project Show and Tell at Tip Junkie.
Transformation Thursdays at The Shabby Chic Cottage
Get Your Craft On at Life as Lori
Strut your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple
Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time
Rescue Crew Review at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home
Beneath My Heart Best DIY of April
Show and Tell Fridays at My Romantic Home

Featured on Tatertots and Jello

Quick Chalkboard Paint Project

2010-04-07T22:12:00.000-04:00

Had a couple of jars sitting around gathering dust and decided to transform them into something usefull.

They are pretty enough as is but weren't useful to me.

So taped off the imagae of each jar and decided to chalk paint them.

Now they are useful to me. I store my peanuts in them, Sweet = honey glazed peanuts, Spicey = Hot & Spicey peanuts, Savory = Asian savory peanuts.

I use Liquid Chalk instead of regular chalk - I found it at Amazon after searching all my local craft and teacher supply stores.

Linking up to:

Get your Craft on Thursday at Life at Lori

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple

Bobby Pin Flowers

2010-04-04T23:39:00.011-04:00

I am forever looking for something to tie up my hair when I get in the kitchen. To remedy this I made some cute bobby pin flowers and planted them in miniature flowers pots. I set them on the ledge to my homemade recipe holder, so that when I get into the kitchen my bobby pins are handy.

Took a plain bobby pin and hot glued a flower bud had on hand. Did the same with several bobby pins.

Repeated the same, hot glue to another flower.

Took a tiney terra cotta planter, filled it with moss and a couple of leaves and planted my bobby pins.

A full pot of the white flowers.

A full pot of the red flowers.

And here they are sitting pretty on the shelf of my homemade magnetic recipe holder.

Linking up to :

Make it for Monday at The Cottage Instincts,

The DIY Show Off at The DIY Show Off,

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative,

Make Your Monday at The Twice Remembered Cottage,

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple,

Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick,

Toot your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow,

Nifty Thrify Tuesdays at Coastal Charm,

Tip me Tuesdays at Tip Junkie

Get your Craft on Thursday at Life at Lori

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple

Favorite Things Friday at A Few of My Favorite Things

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T10:32:00.000-04:00

Lookie what I WON

2010-04-02T15:19:00.001-04:00

Kathy from Creative Home Expressions had a giveaway a while back where she was giving away the famous Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. Well I won, and it arrived today along with a lovely Fleur di Lis Orb she painted with this.

Stayed tuned for my painting projects to come and go over and visit Kathy at her blog, she is so sweet and very creative. Thanks again Kathy.

Magazine Offers

2010-04-01T17:22:00.000-04:00

I don't know why during the sunny days of Spring I love to get inspired with making my home and garden more enjoyable. In gathering this inspiration I came across some magazine subscription sales on Amazon that I thought I would share with you.

This House Beautiful is a $10 price for 10 issues.

Marie Claire and Redbook offers a 2 year subscription for $8 and This Old House has 10 issues for $10.

These are some of my recent finds - there are others.

Mother Nature ....

2010-03-28T18:48:00.002-04:00

I hate to admit it but this past winter I completely ignored my garden to the point that I didn't even go out to visit with my plants. Mother Nature is a fickled friend as she teased me with red peppers before the first day of spring. This from plants that I thought were dead. I have since planted one tomatoe plant since I am the only one who eats tomatoes in my home. The geranium pictured above is so full of blooms I am going to have to re-plant her into something larger or split her up into several pots.

My Meyer Lemon tree was also full of blooms before the first day of Spring, then we got hit with very windy days that blew away all the flower buds, and again Mother Nature has surprised me with two lemons on a bare tree. Just saw them today.

Ground cover peeking out of their pots ready to be tended to. Mexican Heather.

My Herb caddy. It contains my three most used herbs, Basil, Parsley and Cilantro. The caddy allows me to bring the entire thing into the kitchen, cut off what I need and take it back outside.

Enjoy your week everyone and please let me know you visited.

Linking up to Tootsie Time's Fertilizer Friday, and My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday.

Simple Beauty

2010-03-25T17:09:00.000-04:00

Have you ever seen a prettier Hibiscus - this one looks like it is three stories tall.

More Pillow LOVE

2010-03-20T08:44:00.007-04:00

So this is the last of my three part series (LOL) on pillow making. My first attempt was a pillow transfer which didn't turn out so great in my opinion but it was passable as a pillow. If you missed it, you can see it HERE.

My second attempt was a pillow transfer with cording added to the edges of the pillow. I must say I might have mastered the transfer part and the cording wasn't too bad to sew on. You can see the finished product HERE.

So by this time I say OK, this isn't so hard, I want to try the burlap pillows. So I start to stencil a flower on a piece of burlap and decide I am going to sew it to the front of the pillow, fray the edges of this inset, sort of to frame the flower and sew up the pillow, this time with a ruffle edging (OH how brave of me). Well it all went pretty good until I had to sew the two pieces of the pillow with the ruffled trim sandwiched in between. HA it wasn't as easy as the cording of the second pillow. But oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained right?

Can hardly see the ruffle against the white bedding.

Much better background and you begin to see the fraying around the flower "frame".

Can't miss the fraying and the ruffle trim in this picture.

All three of my babies, added a jeweled bee to the Nest pillow.

What do you think ?

Linking up to Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special.

Also Linking up to Tatertos and Jello's Weekend Wrapup Party.

And the DIY Showoff.

And Cottage Instincts, Make if for Monday.

Highlighted in Cottage Instincts HERE

and Beneath My Heart HERE

Linking up to Best DIY of March at Beneath My Heart

Pillow LOVE

2010-03-19T08:44:00.000-04:00

This is my second attempt at the infamous pillows all over blog land.

Script says "Te amo Lily" (I love you Lily). Made this pillow for my daughter for Easter but don't tell her it's a surprise.

This one even has trim.

Not bad huh? Getting better as I go along.

Next - will try the burlap pillows.

Linking up to SHOW AND TELL FRIDAYS at My Romantic Home

Bunnies in miniature

2010-03-18T22:08:00.001-04:00

It's time to put out the bunnies and mine are in miniature:

Isn't she so cute? , she's painting a chicken hatching from it's egg.

Another cutie.

This bunny angel has a halo.

And these bunnies are tucked away at home.

Hope you are all safely tucked at home waiting for Spring and Easter to officially arrive.

Linking up to SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY at My Romantic Home.

St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-16T22:56:00.000-04:00

And a couple more IRISH BLESSINGS:

May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you. May St. Patrick guard you wherever you go, and guide you in whatever you do – and may his loving protection be a blessing to you always. HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.......MAY YOUR LUCK BE GREEN!!!!

________________________________________________

...."Dance as though no one is watching you, Love as though you have never loved before, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live as though heaven is on earth"!!!

_______________________________________________

Happy St. Patrick's Day !

My First BOUNTY of the season

2010-03-15T11:45:00.002-04:00

OK bounty is an overstatement but one can't help but be amazed by nature.

Last year I planted several pepper plants in my Earth Boxes. Earth Boxes mimic the profesional gardeners setup but on a smaller scale. When you use Earth Boxes for vegetables you add a layer of dolomite to the potting mixture (and for some reason my dog Emma LOVES this stuff) . She tore off the plastic screen covering the potting mixture and proceeeded to dig out all the dolomite and ate it all. She destroyed two Earth Box sets. I ended up putting the Earth Boxes on top of a table to keep it out of her reach.

So after Emma destroyed the setup, the plants stopped producing and I left them alone for a year. Imagine my surprise when I went out there this morning to clean them up and prepare them for this year. This is what I find:

You can see in this picture how Emma tore up the pastic screen covering up the soil and dolomite.

3 more peppers.

And this is Emma, she's as bad as she is sweet.

And Maggie,

And Tony.

All Rescue Dogs.

So, what are YOU planting this season?

Linking up to Jamie at Him, Me, and Our Three - A Celebration of Green

and Outdoor Wednesdays at A Southern Daydreamer.

Pillow Transfers

2010-03-11T22:56:00.005-05:00

I learned how to use photo transfer paper recently so this is my first attempt. Not bad I think for my first project. Stay tuned, more to come.

Isn't she pretty?

Linking up to My Romatic Home, Show and Tell Friday. and Frugalicious Friday! and Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tater Tots & Jello

Edited to add: I was featured in Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up Party HERE.

Who knew ...

2010-03-11T16:43:00.001-05:00

One word "macro".

Amy at The Red Chair Blog visited one of my previous posts and saw that I had written that I might need a new camera because the pictures were comming out all blurry. Amy told me to go to my camera booklet and see if my camera had a macro function. What? I just point and click. I got lucky that I learned to download (or is it upload?) the pictures. Nevermind that it takes me forever to actually FIND the pictures I downloaded/uploaded (that's another story).

So Amy says, her camera has a "little flower" icon on it and that is the macro function she uses for closeups and this eliminates the blur. MY camera had a lille flower icon too - whooo hooo !!!! (I couldn't find the owners manual) so I tested it with these pictures.

Nest with fresh garden greens.

Fresh roses from a climbing rose bush - can you say SPRING ?

So what do you think ? Aren't the pictures crisper? Still don't have the hang of a camera but willing to try anything out just once. Thanks Amy.

How to make a Blog Button

2010-03-06T09:35:00.001-05:00

Check out my blog button !!!!!

See it over on the side bar with the appropriate link below it?

I am sooooooo happy I was able to create this using the genius tutorial HERE.

This tutorial takes you through a step by step that talks to you in easy to understand language. Believe me if I can do this (I have just started blogging) you can do this.

Have fun.

Hello March ....

2010-03-01T21:26:00.000-05:00

March (pronunciation) (help·info) is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of the seven months which are 31 days long.

March in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of September in the Northern Hemisphere.

The name of March comes from ancient Rome, when March was the first month of the year and named Martius after Mars, the Roman god of war. In Rome, where the climate is Mediterranean, March is the first month of spring, a logical point for the beginning of the year as well as the start of the military campaign season. January became the first month of the calendar year either under King Numa Pompilius (circa 713 BCE) or under the Decemvirs about 450 BCE (Roman writers differ).The numbered year began on March 1 in Russia until the end of the fifteenth century. Great Britain and her colonies continued to use March 25 until 1752, which was when they ultimately adopted the Gregorian calendar. Many other cultures and religions still celebrate the beginning of the New Year in March.

In Finnish, the month is called maaliskuu, which originates from maallinen kuu, meaning earthy month, because during maaliskuu, earth finally became visible under the snow. In Ukrainian, the month is called березень, meaning birch tree. Historical names for March include the Saxon Lentmonat, named after the equinox and gradual lengthening of days, and the eventual namesake of Lent. Saxons also called March Rhed-monat or Hreth-monath (deriving from their goddess Rhedam/Hreth), and Angles called it Hyld-monath.

March starts on the same day of the week as November every year and February in common years only.

Spring is here....

2010-02-21T11:47:00.000-05:00

Spring has arrived ... in Florida ....

My Meyer Lemon tree is in bloom again - hooray !!!!!

Even my purple potatoe vine is coming back.

Hope is eternal.

Carrot Patch

2010-02-20T21:25:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to feel warmer and time to get outside again.

The rabbit family is beginning to get their gardens in order and frolick in the sun.

They are sitting reading a book and dancing on the grass.

Picking flowers and vegetable and loading them into the basket to take home.

Aren't the houses just purty in their spring colors ?

Happy spring !!!!!

Happy Mardi Gras everyone !!!!!!

2010-02-16T17:22:00.000-05:00

My daughter just got back from New Orleans today and you have to see the pretty things she brought home to me. I love her and boy does she know what her Mother likes.

First a little history on this carnival:

From Wikpidia:
The terms "Mardi Gras" (pronounced /ˈmɑrdi grɑː/, "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season",[1][2][3][4][5][6] in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" (in ethnic English tradition, Shrove Tuesday), referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday. Related popular practices were associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. Popular practices included wearing masks and costumes, overturning social conventions, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc. Similar expressions to Mardi Gras appear in other European languages sharing the Christian tradition. In English, the day is called Shrove Tuesday, associated with the religious requirement for confession before Lent begins.

This pretty (out of focus) mask is actually a thimble - how cute is she?

I am going to have to breakdown and buy a new camera. The detail on this thimble is impressive, too bad the picture isn't.

This cross is typical New Orleans - Fleur di Lis cross and typical of the Mardi Gras festival. Isn't it elegant and beautiful?

I refer to this wall (this is only a partial picture of the wall) as my alter. I collect crosses and this new one has got to be a favorite for me !!!!!

Enjoy your Mardi Gras y'all.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T18:16:00.000-05:00

Thanks for stopping by to visit. Please let me know you dropped in.

A couple of hearts to show you all how much I appreciate my friends,

Aren't they beautiful ? and practical, one wood and one stone with some imbedded fossils.

And a couple of modern hearts.

I never realized I had a collection until today, funny how that happens.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone !!!!

2 Tier White Platter

2010-02-10T13:04:00.003-05:00

2 Tier White Platter

Visited Home Goods yesterday and saw so many pretty Valentine and Easter stuff but just didn't want to pay top dollar for any of it. Found my way over to the sales isle and found some really pretty white dinner and salad plates on sale. SCORE ! $3 for the dinner plate and $2 for the salad plate. I knew I had to use these some how and some where.

You see the feminine flair of these plates? Just had to have them and you can't see it in the photo but they are slightly distressed with a hand painting technique (it says so on the back of the plate). I started looking for a crystal candlestick to put these two together to form a 2 Tier Platter but again the prices were $10 for almost every crystal candlestick. One isle over found this salt shaker $1 another SCORE.

Couldn't wait to get home to see how these pretties fit together. Glued the three pieces together using clear adhesive and Wa La ...

Another view:

She's sitting all pretty with a Valentine card and some sweet chocolates:

Linking up to: White Wednesday at Faded Charm - visit Kathleen at her blog you will be happy you did.
and Thrify Thursdays at Tales from Bloggeritaville and Transformation Thursdays at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Would love to have your comments and your friendship (follow me).

Magnetic Recipe Holder

2010-02-09T13:09:00.001-05:00

This recipe holder, inspired by the talented girls at Shanty2Chic was a breeze to make. Shanty2Chic posted a detailed step by step tutorial on how they put theirs together and of course I'm not as savy as they are and forgot to take my step by step pictures. They also cut their own wood pieces, I went another route and bought my pieces so I wouldn't have to pull out tools.

These are the materials I used along with the square wood plaque that is missing from the picture, heart pieces, magnetic paint and glue.

1-Took the square plaque and glued it to the cross piece.

2- Took the cross piece and glued it to the round base piece.

3- Took the finial and glued it to the top of the square plaque.

4- Painted with Magnetic paint, a square frame on the main piece.

5- Glued magnets to the red hearts.

Painted and distressed it and

Wa La ......

Linking up to : I Made it Without My Husband at Shanty2Chic

It's so very Cheri GIVEAWAY

2010-02-08T11:49:00.000-05:00

You all have to check out this blog; It's So Very Cheri . She is having a fabulous giveaway with so many opportunities to win. Check out her blog as well - it is so creative !

Dollar Store Goodies

2010-02-06T21:10:00.002-05:00

I was down in the dumps on Friday and what do I do when I get down in the dumps? I go to Dollar Tree. I don't know why it is but that is what I do. Cheaper than therapy and I give myself a dollar limit as to what I can spend. Friday's limit = $5.00 , tax doesn't count ;)

So cash in hand, smack dab in the middle of the day, I venture to the Dollar Tree and came back with these goodies:

1- Red Roses
2- Heart Picks
3- Package of Moss
4- White plain candle
5- Fleur de Lis ornament

So first the flowers, took the red roses and heart picks and made a mini bouquet and put it in a mercury glass urn I had. Added the moss to anchor the arrangment.

Next the candle. You've all seen this I'm sure, the plain white glass candle. Added ornamentation by way of self adhesive decor I had in a scrapbooking kit.

Last, the fleur de lis ornament. Bought it in a dark and drab brownish color. Painted it white and she was all pretty.

Here are my goodies, keeping each other company and putting a smile on my face. Just what the doctor ordered (Dr. Dollar Tree).

Linking up to It's so Very Cheri and Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

And the WINNER is.....

2010-02-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

Jane, from Finding Fabulous !!!!!!

Congratulations Jane - send me your contact information so that I can ship this heart out to you.

And THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU everyone for participating and for sharing your knowledge and friendship.

Button picture frame

2010-01-31T21:57:00.003-05:00

Pulled out all the extra buttons I've saved over the years and decided to do something with the white, beige and gold tone ones. Had an ugly picture frame available and glue gun and went to work.

The flower buttons came off my daughter's baby clothes. (Picture turned out terrible sorry)

Love the final results.

Now what to do with all the black and brown buttons?

Linking up to the Inspired Ideas Party

and Transformation Thursdays

OH and check out my Giveaway HERE

Valentine Giveaway

2010-01-29T21:03:00.001-05:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'm giving away a Porcelain Heart Night Light . I have one in my guest bathroom and love it, it is so delicate, and turns on with or without a sensor. This picture shows it lit up and the picture below shows it dark.

Ok - now to the rules:

1- The winner will be selected Thursday, February 4, 2010,

2- For one chance to win, post a comment on this post,

3- For a second chance to win, become a Follower,

4- For a third chance to win, post about this Giveaway on your blog and post back that you did.

Hope you love this as much as I do and Good Luck.

$25 Headboard

2010-01-28T18:31:00.002-05:00

While upgrading my daughter's bed from twin to full size, we found we needed a headboard on the cheap. We didn't want to give up any square footage since her room is on the small side so I searched and searched for some ideas.

Came up with this - after seeing a similar version on HGTV

It's a curtain rod with three square seat cushions handing from it.

Not the best picture - she didn't make her bed.

Curtain rod = $ 10

Pillow 3 @ $ 5 each = $ 15

TOTAL = $25

I'm joining Show and Tell Friday , Flea Market Trixie and Frugalicious Friday!

Testing out my new signature

2010-01-28T17:04:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo the simple things that make a new blogger happy.

Today I learned how to add my signature to my blog - baby steps but getting there.

Bleeding Heart

2010-01-26T21:20:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe that something so beautiful has such an ugly name. Bleeding Heart is it's actual name and so perfect for Valentine's Day.

Hope this Valentine's Day your heart bleeds with LOVE,

Sylvia

Mr Rebates Giveaway

2010-01-24T20:57:00.001-05:00

Check out this great giveaway from Mr. Rebates as posted by Fantabulously Frugal where you could win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Good luck everyone,

Sylvia

Love is in the air ....

2010-01-22T13:01:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day is coming and I am getting in the mood. Here are some lovies I love to display. They were cards that I, over the years gave to my daughter for Valentine's Day.

Do you see the imprint on this card: A Gift of Love !!!

What's a Valentine's Day without Cupid ?

Spread the LOVE...,

Sylvia

Hey Global Warming, Turn up the Heat !

2010-01-11T19:05:00.001-05:00

This is supposed to be Florida and I woke up to 26 degrees !!!!!!

Below is the Weather information from a local TV affiliate:

Weather Blog

January 11, 2010

Coldest Morning of the Season......

Posted by Julie Durda

This morning we made new record lows, in Miami as well as Key West. Other temperatures around town drop to the upper 20s and mid 30s. This caused us to see some areas effected with frost . Take a look at how we woke up...

Kendall 26°

Homestead 31°

Hialeah 33°

Pembroke Pines 34°

Pompano Beach 35°

Ft.Lauderdale 36°

Miami 36° New record (old record was 37° set back in 1927)

Marthon 39°

Key West 42° New record (old record was 48° set back in 1970)

Look on the bright side, we can only warm up from here. That's exactly what we will do as we continue thru the work week. We are expecting temps to slowly rebound once high pressure moves more over the Western Atlantic that will bring a return flow off the ocean which in return will warm up our temperatures. Hang in there you'll only need those sweaters and jackets for a couple more days!

Stay Warm!!!

Julie Durda

Morning Meteorologist

Where ever you live, I hope you are keeping toasty warm,

Sylvia

Look what I saw in my backyard this winter

2010-01-05T18:16:00.000-05:00

I live in Florida and while it is not anything like the north during winter, we have been in a cold spell for over a week now. Cold to Floridians is anything in the 60's and below. This morning I woke up to 40 degrees and look at what I see munching on my potatoe vine:

There were two of them and I have not seen them since last February.

The temperature is expected to drop into the 30's tonight so I hope this pair seeks shelter, but can't help but think Spring may not be too far away.

xoxo, Sylvia

My Wish for 2010

2010-01-02T20:28:00.000-05:00

I pray for Peace on Earth ...

I wish for Peace in each of our hearts.

xoxo, Sylvia

New Beginnings.....

2009-12-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

It's the end of one year and the beginning of the next.

I feel so blessed to be in good health, in good company, and in good spirits awaiting 2010.

2010, can you believe it ?

Wishing all of you only the best for 2010 !!!!!!

xoxo,

Sylvia

Love it if you would join my followers or would like to comment.

'Twas the night before Christmas - dieter's version ......

2009-12-23T16:52:00.001-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas and all 'round my hips

Were Fannie May candies that had sneaked past my lips.

Fudge brownies were stored in the freezer with care

In hopes that my thighs would forget they were there.

While Mama in her girdle and I in chin straps

Had just settled down to sugar-borne naps.

When out in the pantry there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen I flew like a flash

Tore open the icebox then threw up the sash.

The marshmallow look of the new-fallen snow

Sent thoughts of a binge to my body below.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear:

A marzipan Santa with eight chocolate reindeer!

That huge chunk of candy so luscious and slick

I knew in a second that I'd wind up sick.

The sweet-coated Santa, those sugared reindeer

I closed my eyes tightly but still I could hear;

On Pritzker, on Stillman, on weak one, on TOPS,

A Weight Watcher dropout from sugar detox.

From the top of the scales to the top of the hall

Now dash away pounds now dash away all.

Dressed up in Lane Bryant from my head to night-dress

My clothes were all bulging from too much excess.

My droll little mouth and my round little belly

They shook when I laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

I spoke not a word but went straight to my work

Ate all of the candy then turned with a jerk.

And laying a finger beside my heartburn

I gave a quick nod, toward the bedroom I turned.

I eased into bed, to the heavens I cry

If temptation's removed I'll get thin by and by!

And I mumbled again as I turned for the night

In the morning I'll starve...'til I take that first bite!

Merry Christmas Friends and many Blessings to all,
Sylvia

Let's say thanks to our troops....

2009-12-19T08:12:00.002-05:00

I am gratefull to live in a free country that allows me the FREEDOM to live as I wish. This would not be possible without the sacrifices of the men and women of the military and especially as this time of year it is important to show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make.

Use the bottom below and send a free postcard - no postage to our troops to show them we are thinking of them.

The Countdown begins

2009-12-14T19:50:00.000-05:00

10 days to Christmas...can you believe it?

I live in Florida and you wouldn't know it was Christmas by the weather here, a balmy 80 something degrees. No sweaters, no boots, no scarves - we are living in shorts and flip flops in the middle of December. The palm trees dance.

I long to see and experience a White Christmas. The closest thing to white is the white sand on our beaches.

From my home to yours - Blessings to all this Christmas.

xoxo, Sylvia

I'm DONE !!!!

2009-12-08T19:46:00.001-05:00

You know the feeling, you can't wait for something, you get all excited with the anticipation and when it finally arrives it becomes a chore? That is how I felt this year about Christmas decorating. I couldn't wait to put away all my fall decorations and start with the Christmas stuff, but as hours turned into days I was dreading pulling out the boxes, sorting throught the stuff and deciding on a theme for this year's Christmas.

So, this year I am still LUCKY to have my 20 year old living at home (and going to college) and decided to let her make the decisions. She decided on a real Christmas tree that she would decorate with all different types of ornaments (no theme this year), so she strung the lights and started on hanging the ornaments. I think it turned out BEAUTIFUL, just like her !!!!

Welcome ......

Come on in....

Entry Foyer

Dining room mirror....the Christmas Village I posted earlier sits on the sideboard directly under this mirror.

Kitchen Tree and Reindeer Cookie Jar .... do you see the penguin and santa espresso coffee cups and mini chip clip??

White feather tree in my bedroom....

Living Room Tree...

Reindeer and Snowman tablescape in living room....

BELIEVE indeed....

Guest Bathroom....

Daughter's silver tinsel tree .....in her room.....

Family Room

Do you see the snowman and red cardinal?

Time to rest up, still have the outside to do.

xoxo, Sylvia

Oh Christmas Tree

2009-12-02T22:34:00.000-05:00

Remember these ?

Picture isn't the best quality but got so excited when I pulled this tree out of storage that I just had to share with all of you. I made this in the 70's in ceramic class. I LOVE this tree.

Enjoy your decorating.

Hosting a Cookie Exchange

2009-12-02T19:08:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Taste of Home

Recipe to follow

Hosting a cookie exchange is easier than you think with these timely tips:

* Select a date and send out invitations about six weeks in advance. Weekday evenings or weekend afternoons work well because people may be less busy. Schedule the party to be about 2 hours long so guests aren't required to set aside a lot of time.

* Invite 8 to 12 people, keeping in mind that having more guests results in more variety of treats. Make the same kind of cookie or candy, allowing 1 dozen for each person participating. You might also encourage them to bring an extra dozen for sampling at the party.

* Ask what each person is making to avoid duplicates. There's no point to the exchange if everyone arrives with sugar cookies.

* Have participants bring empty containers or resealable plastic bags to collect their goodies. If the gathering is small, they may want to bring the batches already individually wrapped. Also have guests bring a copy of their recipe for each person.

* You can keep your menu to a minimum by focusing on the sweet treats. Simply serve a selection of beverages and the extra cookies and candies. Of if you prefer, offer a few hot and cold appetizers.

* As people arrive, set out the cookies and candies on a long table, leaving enough room for folks to walk around. Label the containers with the recipe name.

* Near the end of the party, have guests fill their containers with a dozen of each kind of cookie and candy.

* For party favors, gather all the different recipe cards into bundles, tie with festive ribbons and hand them out as guests leave.

White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints

• 38 Servings

• Prep: 25 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1-1/4 cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts

• FILLING:

• 4 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

Directions

• In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks. Combine flour and cocoa; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until easy to handle.

• In a shallow bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy. Place nuts in another shallow bowl. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Dip in egg whites, then roll in nuts.

• Using a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in center of each cookie. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

• In a microwave, melt white chocolate and butter at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon into each cookie. Top each with about 1/4 teaspoon jam. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 3 dozen.

____________________________________________________

Enjoy this recipe and report back if you do host a cookie exhange.

xoxo, Sylvia

Christmas Village is Bustling with Christmas activity.....

2009-12-01T20:17:00.001-05:00

City Hall with the Candy Shop to the right and a home to the left.

Every city must have one.

Do you see Santa ringing the bell?

Candy Shop, Hotel and someone's Home - Taxi driver is in for a rest and the blue truck is gettting ready to pack up the family to shop for their Christmas tree.

The Bakery, Church and another Home - The Bakery has been working non stop producing all types of sweet breads and cakes; The Church is staying open for last minute workshipers and the family in the pretty blue house is getting ready for dinner.

The skater is taking in one last go around before being called in to dinner.

Firetruck at the ready - just in case.

Another view around the neighborhood.....

Last one ---

And to all a GOOD NIGHT.

xoxo, Sylvia

Let the Decorating Begin

2009-11-29T20:10:00.002-05:00

OK, first thing up is the Church from my Christmas Village - True meaning of Christmas.

I love the Priest ... when my nieces and nephews were small they would hide him all over the house, my Brother -in- law would join in too (big kid that he is) and I wouldn't find out until after they left my house. The hunt would begin to find my Priest. He is battered, dropped, lost an arm (had to glue it back on) and someone has always suggested I buy a new one - NO WAY this one is full of memories for me.

May you create new MEMORIES this Christmas that will last you a life time!!!!

xoxo,

Sylvia

Bye Bye Fall Decorations .....

2009-11-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Who's packing away their fall decorations and preparing for Christmas? I am and can't wait 'till it's completed. Don't much like sorting through the boxes and deciding how to decorate this year but will pump myself up for the task.

Planning three trees this year, one in the living room, one in the family room, and one on the outside patio. Not sure if I'll make it to the outside patio but psyching myself into thinking I will.

Will post periodically on my progress and wish you all Happy Times Decorating.

xoxo,
Sylvia

The First Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T12:13:00.000-05:00

The First Thanksgiving

by Nora Smith

Nearly four hundred years ago, a great many of the people in England were very unhappy because their king would not let them pray to God as they liked. The king said they must use the same prayers that he did; and if they would not do this, they were often thrown into prison, or perhaps driven away from home.

"Let us go away from this country," said the unhappy Englishmen to each other; and so they left their homes, and went far off to a country called Holland. It was about this time that they began to call themselves "Pilgrims." Pilgrims, you know, are people who are always traveling to find something they love, or to find a land where they can be happier; and these English men and women were journeying, they said, "from place to place, toward heaven, their dearest country."

In Holland, the Pilgrims were quiet and happy for a while, but they were very poor; and when the children began to grow up, they were not like English children, but talked Dutch, like the little ones of Holland, and some grew naughty and did not want to go to church any more.

"This will never do," said the Pilgrim fathers and mothers; so after much talking and thinking and writing they made up their minds to come here to America. They hired two vessels, called the Mayflower and the Speedwell, to take them across the sea; but the Speedwell was not a strong ship, and the captain had to take her home again before she had gone very far.

The Mayflower went back, too. Part of the Speedwell's passengers were given to her, and then she started alone across the great ocean.

There were one hundred people on board - mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters and little children. They were very crowded; it was cold and uncomfortable; the sea was rough, and pitched the Mayflower about, and they were two months sailing over the water.

The children cried many times on the journey, and wished they had never come on the tiresome ship that rocked them so hard, and would not let them keep still a minute.

But they had one pretty plaything to amuse them, for in the middle of the great ocean a Pilgrim baby was born, and they called him "Oceanus," for his birthplace. When the children grew so tired that they were cross and fretful, Oceanus' mother let them come and play with him, and that always brought smiles and happy faces back again.

At last the Mayflower came in sight of land; but if the children had been thinking of grass and flowers and birds, they must have been very much disappointed, for the month was cold November, and there was nothing to be seen but rocks and sand and hard bare ground.

Some of the Pilgrim fathers, with brave Captain Myles Standish at their head, went on shore to see if they could find any houses or white people. But they only saw some wild Indians, who ran away from them, and found some Indian huts and some corn buried in holes in the ground. They went to and fro from the ship three times, till by and by they found a pretty place to live, where there were "fields and little running brooks."

Then at last all the tired Pilgrims landed from the ship on a spot now called Plymouth Rock, and the first house was begun on Christmas Day. But when I tell you how sick they were and how much they suffered that first winter, you will be very sad and sorry for them. The weather was cold, the snow fell fast and thick, the wind was icy, and the Pilgrim fathers had no one to help them cut down the trees and build their church and their houses.

The Pilgrim mothers helped all they could; but they were tired with the long journey, and cold, and hungry too, for no one had the right kind of food to eat, nor even enough of it.

So first one was taken sick, and then another, till half of them were in bed at the same time, Brave Myles Standish and the other soldiers nursed them as well as they knew how; but before spring came half of the people died and had gone at last to "heaven, their dearest country."

But by and by the sun shone more brightly, the snow melted, the leaves began to grow, and sweet spring had come again.

Some friendly Indians had visited the Pilgrims during the winter, and Captain Myles Standish, with several of his men, had returned the visit.

One of the kind Indians was called Squanto, and he came to stay with the Pilgrims, and showed them how to plant their corn, and their pease and wheat and barley.

When the summer came and the days were long and bright, the Pilgrim children were very happy, and they thought Plymouth a lovely place indeed. All kinds of beautiful wild flowers grew at their doors, there were hundreds of birds and butterflies, and the great pine woods were always cool and shady when the sun was too bright.

When it was autumn the fathers gathered the barley and wheat and corn that they had planted, and found that it had grown so well that they would have quite enough for the long winter that was coming.

"Let us thank God for it all," they said. "It is He who has made the sun shine and the rain fall and the corn grow." So they thanked God in their homes and in their little church; the fathers and the mothers and the children thanked Him.

"Then," said the Pilgrim mothers, "let us have a great Thanksgiving party, and invite the friendly Indians, and all rejoice together."

So they had the first Thanksgiving party, and a grand one it was! Four men went out shooting one whole day, and brought back so many wild ducks and geese and great wild turkeys that there was enough for almost a week. There was deer meat also, of course, for there were plenty of fine deer in the forest. Then the Pilgrim mothers made the corn and wheat into bread and cakes, and they had fish and clams from the sea besides.

The friendly Indians all came with their chief Massasoit. Every one came that was invited, and more, I dare say, for there were ninety of them altogether.

They brought five deer with them, that they gave to the Pilgrims; and they must have liked the party very much, for they stayed three days.

Kind as the Indians were, you would have been very much frightened if you had seen them; and the baby Oceanus, who was a year old then, began to cry at first whenever they came near him.

They were dressed in deerskins, and some of them had the furry coat of a wild cat hanging on their arms. Their long black hair fell loose on their shoulders, and was trimmed with feathers or fox-tails. They had their faces painted in all kinds of strange ways, some with black stripes as broad as your finger all up and down them. But whatever they wore, it was their very best, and they had put it on for the Thanksgiving party.

Each meal, before they ate anything, the Pilgrims and the Indians thanked God together for all his goodness. The Indians sang and danced in the evenings, and every day they ran races and played all kinds of games with the children.

Then sometimes the Pilgrims with their guns, and the Indians with their bows and arrows, would see who could shoot farthest and best. So they were glad and merry and thankful for three whole days.

The Pilgrim mothers and fathers had been sick and sad many times since they landed from the Mayflower; they had worked very hard, often had not had enough to eat, and were mournful indeed when their friends died and left them. But now they tried to forget all this, and think only of how good God had been to them; and so they all were happy together at the first Thanksgiving party.

All this happened nearly four hundred years ago, and ever since that time Thanksgiving has been kept in our country.

Every year our fathers and grandfathers and great-grandfathers have "rejoiced together" like the Pilgrims, and have had something to be thankful for each time.

Every year some father has told the story of the brave Pilgrims to his little sons and daughters, and has taught them to be very glad and proud that the Mayflower came sailing to our country so many years ago.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !!!!!!

Tortellini Vegetable Soup

2009-11-22T09:31:00.002-05:00

This recipe is so easy and yummy. It is one of those soups that is also filling. Hot soup and some homemade bread - now that's comfort.

Tortellini Vegetable Soup

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small zucchini, diced

1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

5 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 teaspoon dried basil (more if fresh)

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 to 9 ounces fresh or frozen tortellini

(cheese or meat filled)

2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Black pepper, to taste

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium soup pot or large saucepan. Add the onion, zucchini, and carrot. Saute over moderate heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is soft and translucent.

2. Add the stock, basil, bay leaf, tomatoes, and salt to the pot. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a low boil. Add the tortellini and bring the soup back to a low boil. Cook it for 2 minutes, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes longer. Gently stir in the parsley and pepper during the last minute or so. Makes about 5 servings.

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Cookie Exchange

2009-11-21T17:29:00.001-05:00

It's Cookie Exchange time and I was looking for a simple recipe that didn't take too much of my time. Found this recipe on the Taste of Home Recipe site and made it. It was so EASY, did I say easy?

Peanut Butter Cups Cookies

From: Taste of Home

• 36 Servings
• Prep: 35 min. Bake: 15 min.

Ingredients
• 1 package (17-1/2 ounces) peanut butter cookie mix
• 36 miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Directions
• Prepare cookie mix according to package directions. Roll the dough into 1-in. balls. Place in greased miniature muffin cups. Press dough evenly onto bottom and up sides of each cup.

• Bake at 350° for 11-13 minutes or until set. Immediately place a peanut butter cup in each cup; press down gently. Cool for 10 minutes; carefully remove from pans. Yield: 3 dozen.

Editor's Note: 2-1/4 cups peanut butter cookie dough of your choice can be substituted for the mix.
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Oh, and eveyone LOVED it.

Sylvia

Simple Things

2009-11-19T21:18:00.005-05:00

Sometimes it's the simplist things that put a smile on our face and for me it was this Silver Tray from the Dollar store. My friends have been talking about this silver tray for some time and I searched high and low for the tray and couldn't find it. I spent so much time and money in the hunt for a item I would eventually pay $1 for but I knew I had to have it !

Finally 40 miles away from home one day I visited a Dollar store and low and behold the ELUSIVE SILVER TRAY. Jackpot ! had to have it and bought four (which is all they had left) in different sizes and shapes.

Immediately had to put one on the bedside table and will use the others to decorate for Christmas - we'll see.

One of the Silver Trays I purchased.

With Flash.

Without Flash.

Still Smiling :)

Please post a comment to let me know you visited.

Reindeer Statute

2009-10-29T14:39:00.002-04:00

These reindeers were purchased at Marshal's and are a matte silver with a mosiac glass blanket.