There is no place like home

Blogging Break

2012-06-25T20:31:00.002-05:00

I'm sad to say that I will be taking a blogging break for several months. We are all fine and I will be back sometime in the near future.

New Blog Design

2012-06-06T19:17:00.002-05:00

Hello! I want to say a special thank you to Karen from Valentine Custom Blog Design. She did a wonderful job on my new blog banner, Etsy banners, and business cards. My favorite color combination is yellow/blue and I love birds and nests, so I think she did a great job putting everything together. Thank you, Karen!

Vintage Needlepoint

2012-05-20T13:06:00.000-05:00

My sister-in-law and I are huge fans of estate sales and like to stop by a few every Friday morning, if they are close by. Sometimes we stop by again on Sunday if we see something, but would rather wait for the 30-50% off sale. I'll be honest...I usually can't wait. :0)

This beautiful rose needlepoint picture is a recent find for $5.00.

I have a shabby chic/vintage look going on in my work/crafting area, so it's a perfect fit.

Thank you for stopping by!

New Bathroom Picture

2012-05-03T18:57:00.001-05:00

Just a new little something for the bathroom.

I'm trying to add more flowers to the room, so I thought I would start with Lily of the Valley and Forget-me-nots.

Happy May Day!

2012-05-01T16:11:00.000-05:00

"The merriest month of the year arrives bringing with it sunshine, birdsong, apple blossoms, budding lilacs, and longer days to enjoy life as spring's promise is finally fulfilled. Start the month off on a high note with the celebration of May Day!" -Mrs. Sharp's Traditions

Grace and her friend made bundles of flowers and tied the stems together with pretty ribbon.

Now, they are off to deliver them to the neighbors.

Happy May Day!

'But I must gather knots of flowers,
And buds and garlands gay,
For I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother,
I'm to be Queen o' the May.'
- Alfred Lord Tennyson

New Tablecloth

2012-04-30T07:54:00.001-05:00

Good morning! My sister-in-law and I went to a few Estate sales this past Friday and I found this beautiful crocheted tablecloth.

I used to have a white one that I loved, but it was too small for the new table we purchased 2 years ago. I've been on the look-out for a replacement ever since.

I made the centerpiece from a 3 tired tray I found at a local gift/candle shop, a few months ago.

I lined the layers with moss and added ceramic birds, nests, eggs, and tiny pots.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Cupcakes and Roses

2012-04-18T11:40:00.002-05:00

Good morning! Recently, a new cupcake shop opened near our house and yesterday we stopped by. Each day they have different flavors, which I thought was a neat idea. We got Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Coconut Cream Pie, Hunka Chunka Banana Love, Key Lime, Raspberry Buckle, Scarlett's Red Velvet, And Wedding Cake.

I'm really picky when it comes to baked goods, so I was pleasantly surprised. I cut them all into quarters, so everyone could try a variety.

Now we are waiting for Friday...Chocolate Salted Caramel!

I also found these discount roses and the grocery store.

I'll enjoy them in the kitchen for a few days and then hang them upside down to dry for a little display in my craft room.

Thank you for stopping by!

Keeping things Cozy

2012-04-17T19:56:00.002-05:00

There is nothing like candle light to make home a little extra cozy...especially you are having a busy week. I'm still using up my Yankee Christmas cookie in the kitchen.

Another candle on the fireplace hearth.

Instead of candlelight, I keep my soft hutch light on in the dining room.

Hope your week is going well!

Easter Weekend

2012-04-10T09:21:00.003-05:00

Good morning! Can you spot the 3 sweet babies? My sister-in-law discovered a nest in our front bushes.

The kids and I drove down to Houston this past Thursday to visit my sister and her family for Easter. My parents and nephew flew in from Rhode Island and everyone had a wonderful time together. Phillip stayed home to be with Daisy and Leo and also to spend some extra time with his brother, who is visiting from California.

Now, everyone is back home and it's time to finish up the last 5 weeks of school. It's always hard when the spring weather is so nice! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend, too.

Welcome April!

2012-03-31T22:27:00.003-05:00

Come and let us seek together

Springtime lore of daffodils,

Giving to the golden weather

Greeting on the sun-warm hills.

-Lucy Maud Montgomery, Spring Song

Welcome April!

Bundle of old letters

2012-03-30T18:30:00.002-05:00

I enjoyed reading through the vintage cards and letters from my previous post. Most were congratulation cards for the new baby, but there were a few anniversary cards and several small cards from flower deliveries. Very sweet and romantic messages.

I tied them all up in a bundle and placed them on my fireplace hearth.

Estate Sale Finds

2012-03-23T17:25:00.002-05:00

My sister-in-law and I enjoyed a morning out visiting a couple of estate sales, eating lunch at La Madeleine, and running errands. I found several doilies...

Hand embroidered towels...

And a big stack of baby and first birthday cards from 1949-1950. There are even a few anniversary cards. The parents were celebrating 8 years together when their 2nd daughter was born. We share the same middle name which I thought was neat. I did a little research on google and they had 63 happy years together.

I always wonder why someone in the family didn't want them, but I am more than happy to keep them safe.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pinterest Fun

2012-03-22T12:06:00.003-05:00

I've been having lots of fun on Pinterest lately. I would love for you to stop by for a visit!

My Pinterest Boards

Also, leave your user name in the comments, so I can follow you. :0)

Bluebird Coffee Cups

2012-03-20T10:18:00.003-05:00

Good morning! We are having a very rainy and gloomy March day. It started storming last night while we were out running errands. I found these sweet bluebird coffee cups at Marshalls and had to bring them home. One for me and one for a friend.

Also, I want to share this wonderful quote about March...

It was one of those March days

when the sun shines hot

and the wind blows cold:

when it is summer in the light,

and winter in the shade.

~Charles Dickens

Utensil Caddy

2012-03-17T15:28:00.004-05:00

I'm getting ready for our traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner. I've got corned beef in the crockpot (and another one in the oven!). About to peel potatoes and saute cabbage for the colcannon. Oh, and make soda bread! I found this cute utensil caddy at Costco last month. The only thing I forgot were the St. Patrick's Day napkins, but pink roses work just as well, right? :0)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T14:55:00.002-06:00

Sweets for my sweeties.

I hope you enjoy this little peek inside my autograph album from 1891.

~Happy Valentine's Day!~

Vintage Flower Frog

2012-02-11T10:11:00.003-06:00

Good morning! Have you ever heard of a flower frog? It's a flower arranging tool that you place in the bottom of a vase or bowl and then stick flower stems inside the pin heads. I'm not sure why it's called a flower frog though!

My sister-in-law and I went antique shopping yesterday and I had to bring this tiny one (only 1 1/2") home with me.

I'm using it as a pretty display in my work area.

Happy 14th Birthday Grace!

2012-02-01T17:40:00.002-06:00

Today is Grace's 14th birthday! She had her weekly Writing and Science classes and then I took her out for a special lunch and to get her make-up done at Macys. Since she is allowed to wear it now, we then went to Target to stock up on some less expensive items.

She opened a few gifts later this afternoon and now is hanging out with a friend and looking forward to a rare mid-week sleepover.

She's not a huge fan of cupcakes, so we got her some chocolate covered strawberries instead. Tonight we'll eat dinner at Macaroni Grill, which has been a family tradition for many years.

It's been a wonderful day so far and I'm looking forward to her 14th year. So far, this teenager thing isn't as scary as I thought it would be!

Saturday Night Fun

2012-01-28T21:00:00.002-06:00

This is the third Saturday this month that we've enjoyed our new fire pit, dinner with friends and family, s'mores, and hot cups of coffee...

Vintage Quilts

2012-01-21T15:15:00.003-06:00

My sister-in-law and I went to a few Estate sales yesterday. I fell in love with 2 beautiful quilts, but left without them. When I went back today, they were 25% off!

I don't know how old they are, but I'm really hoping they are from the depression era. Can anyone tell?

This one is my favorite. I love the red and yellow.

Hand stitching on the reverse.

I put one on the stand in my bedroom.

And the other in our family room. Now we just need some cold weather, so we can cozy up underneath them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Flowers in Winter

2012-01-16T09:21:00.001-06:00

My little crocus plant bloomed this weekend!

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."

Sunday Afternoon

2012-01-15T14:29:00.002-06:00

A beautiful loaf of homemade bread...a gift from friends at church.

Along with a hot cup of coffee...makes the perfect Sunday afternoon snack.

Weekend Chit-Chat

2012-01-13T21:41:00.002-06:00

Hello! I'm so glad the weekend is here. I had a busy week and finally got down all of our Christmas decorations. Remind me to get an artificial tree next year, I had pine needles everywhere! This past Thursday evening, my sister-in-law and I went to my monthly neighborhood Bunco game. Have you ever played? It's lots of fun.

I took fruit salad, banana bread, lemon tea bread, and chocolate truffles (thank you Whole Foods!).

We don't have any major plans for the weekend. Grace is having a couple of friends over and I'm going antique shopping with a friend on Monday. I'll be sure to share pictures if I find any new treasures. Until next time...

Christmas Decorations - In January!

2012-01-08T16:43:00.002-06:00

Hello and Happy New Year! Thank you for the warm welcome back to blog land. I'm really late in sharing Christmas pictures, but my mom especially wanted to see them.

I found this old sled at a local antique shop this past November. The sign was a find on the same trip and I thought they were cute together.

Entryway reindeer.

I made a mantle banner using old Christmas cards.

Kitchen hutch ice skating scene.

Our Christmas tree with a wonky top and star.

The girls thought it would be funny to put the entire package of Oreos out for Santa. Don't they know our house isn't the only one he visits that night? ;0)

The kitty is a new addition to our family...I'll introduce him soon! Hope you all have a wonderful week ahead and thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:25:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year! One of my New Year's goals is to blog once a week. I thought today was a good day to start.

A new beginning is perhaps the best time to say…
It’s so nice to know you…
And here’s wishing our friendship
continues to grow in the days to come.