Rose Vignettes

Spring Cloche

2013-05-21T17:07:00.001-07:00

SO!

I'm kinda excited to join in for the cloche party over at

Marty's blog, A Stroll Thru Life.

For my birthday (back in October) one of my very best friends gave me

this beautiful Cloche.

Does she know me or what?!

It came fully equiped with all this beautiful bling.

It was so cute decorated for the holiday season.

I love it!

For more pretty cloche ideas join us!

Marty's Cloche Party

Be Still and Know

2013-05-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!

This is a picture that I took at Arbor Crest Winery just outside of Spokane last weekend.

It was so beautiful! You could certainly see the wonder of God's creation here.

This morning's sermon was so good that I wanted to put it in writing so that I would remember it, and frankly, it is well worth sharing.

Our Pastor has been teaching a series on Passion and this mornings passion was on prayer.

These are my notes:

3 Reasons Why We Should Talk About Prayer:

1. Many of us have put our faith in the "Gospel of Busyness"

2. We're all a mess but we lie about it.

3. Many of us are frustrated with prayer.

The "Big Idea"

How we pray reflects how we trust God

Psalm 46 NLT

vs 1 1 God is our refuge and strength always ready to help in times of trouble.

We can run to GOD when things get crazy.

God WANTS to be who we run to in times of trouble.

vs 2-7 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

4 A river brings jow to the city of our God, the sacred home of the MOST HIGH.

5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroued. From the very break of day, God will protect it.

6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders. and the earth melts!

7 The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; The God of Israel is out fortress.

God's steadfastness removes the need for fear.

vs 8-9 8 Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world.

9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

We should stand in AWE of who God is and what he has done.

vs 10 10"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world"

In Hebrew Be still means to be quite, but it also means to surrender, and give-in. Know means to know or experience.

We must cease the striving of our over busy lives in order to know that HE is GOD!

Take time to be still and know.

Experience God.

Shabby Chic Meets Sweet Salvage on Mother's Day

2013-05-14T09:15:00.002-07:00

On Sunday, in the midst of entertaining tons of family, packing her apartment up to move back to Phoenix and just enjoying the satisfaction of finishing law school, Sweet Daughter took my friend Debi and I to a wonderful Mother's Day Lunch. When I asked her where we were going she said Chaps. Well, I pictured something totally diferent and she said "No! Trust me! You and Debi will

LOVE this place!" I said " Oh! Okay....."

Oh! My! Gosh! Did she call it right!

What a SWEET delightful place! I'm telling you this is my heaven.

We even got to meet the owner, Celeste Shaw. What a sweetheart.

If you are ever in the Spokane area you must go here.

Chaps (the diner)

Cake (the bakery)

Chapsgirl.com (the website)

Thank you sweet girl for a fabulous afternoon!

Love you!

Joining:

Marty for a Stroll Thru Life
Kathy for a Delightsome Life
The Girls for The Scoop

It's Official!

2013-05-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official!

He asked and she said yes!

Our Sweet Daughter is engaged!

Congratulations and Best Wishes are in order.

I'll be traveling to Spokane later this week to see her graduate from Law School.

It's a Big Week!

May's Fresh-Cut Friday

2013-05-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Fresh-Cut Friday #33

I'm so glad your here!

Come on in and see what I've got going on!

Not much really.

I just added some roses to my dining room centerpiece.

Whenever I see these I just have such a hard time passing them up.

They have such a pretty touch of green to them

And they look so pretty with the blue and white that I always have going on.
Oh and P.S.
They were $5.99 for a dozen! How's that for inspirational?

So that's it.

What about you?

How did you enjoy flowers this month?

I can't wait to see.

I'll be joining:

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Jennifer at Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Linky Party

Karen at Redoux Interiors Friday Party

Fresh-Cut Friday Reminder

2013-05-02T04:52:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick reminder....

Fresh-Cut Friday starts at 6:00p.m. tonight.

You can link any post having to do with flowers.

See you then!

The Pleasure of Your Company

2013-04-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday was our annual Ladies Spring Luncheon and Tea.

And I have to say it was hands down our best yet!

Each and every table is unique and as personal as its hostess.

44 tables and not one single more! The Fire Marshall side "That's IT!"

Over 440 women! Isn't that amazing? Many of whom had never been to a church event for women.

Here is a snap of the team.

I am so blessed, honored and proud to be a part of such an amazing group of ladies.

They each and everyone have their own gifts that they bring to the ministry.

Front: Pam Lamb, Vicki Voyce (she is the boss! nothing happens without her) Debi Rigg, Michelle Lawson, Susan Loller, Pat Cannon, Nancy Hunt, Elizabeth Nevell, Jeanne Houser, Me, Jan Payne, Susan Leabonner. Not pictured: Jo Hale and Sandy Pennington

There is so much work to a big event like this.

And they do it all as a ministry of love.

These are a few pictures of the table that I hosted.

I used my Father-In-Law's old Royal Typewriter. Talk about using what you have!

Our theme was " The Pleasure of Your Company".

I tried to carry that through the whole decor.

Including the favors. This is just a Dollar Tree compact mirror that I dolled up a little.

I love my new old Homer Laughlin tea cups! They were the color inspiration.

The ladies at my table were from all different areas of my life.

Here's one that you might recognize....

Sorry for the "soft focus".

We neither one took this picture,

but it is still cute.

Laura from Decor to Adore! How fun is that!?

I'm joining:
Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday

Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday

Crochet Evening Bag...Done!

2013-04-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

I finished it! Here it is.

As I promised ... I said I would tell you how I made it.

It was pretty simple really. I made to round pieces. Then I added a 5 stitch shell edge and then

add a rose to the front.

To make this large flower for the front of the little back I used this tutorial.

(click here)

It is just Big enough for a lipstick, debit card, phone, a little cash and a drivers license.

I lined it with solid black fabric and used a piece of blingy trim that

I picked up at Hobby Lobby. It was in the fabric section.

This is the back...

Oh! and I added a little vintage button to the center of the flower.

So that's my design ....
Pretty sweet!

Ok... now I'm out of little projects.... I have to finish that afghan!
What are you finishing?
Thanks for stopping by!!!!
I hope you have a great weekend!

I'm joining:

Wendy at The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Kate at Chic On A Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday

Jennifer at Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Linky Party

Tami At Tami Amis and Other Creations for FO Fridays

Annemarie at Haakblog: It's all about Crochet for Link Your Stuff

Killing Lincoln

2013-04-21T06:27:00.001-07:00

Killing Lincoln

The Shocking Assassination That

Changed America Forever

by Bill O'Reilly

and Martin Dugard

From the back of the book:

The anchor of The O'Reilly Factor recounts one of the most dramatic stories in American history—how one gunshot changed the country forever. In the spring of 1865, the Civil War finally comes to an end after a series of incredibly bloody battles. President Abraham Lincoln's generous terms for Robert E. Lee's surrender are devised to fulfill Lincoln's dream of healing a divided nation, with the former Confederates allowed to reintegrate into American society. One man and his band of murderous accomplices, perhaps reaching into the highest ranks of the U.S. government, are not appeased.

In the midst of the patriotic celebrations in Washington, D.C., John Wilkes Booth—charismatic ladies' man and impenitent racist—murders Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater. A furious manhunt ensues and Booth immediately becomes the country's most wanted fugitive. Lafayette C. Baker, a brilliant but enigmatic New York detective and former Union spy, unravels the string of clues leading to Booth, while federal forces track his accomplices. The thrilling chase ends in a fiery shootout and a series of court-ordered executions—including that of the first woman ever executed by the U.S. government, Mary Surratt. With an unforgettable cast of characters, vivid historical detail, and page-turning action, Killing Lincoln is history that reads like a thriller.

Getting past the first 100 pages was the most challenging part of this read. I strongly encourage you to do it though. Once you get past the battle scenes, the book is intriguing and, although not my favorite book, I did learn a lot. If you love history, the Civil War, or learning about Lincoln, you will love this book.

As a side note: The book club was perfectly split on this one. Half liked it half did not. No one loved it. How about that?

I'm joining:
Ricki Jill for Literary Friday

Something Great Sombody Said

2013-04-18T18:00:00.002-07:00

I can relate!

Yes... Its Another Scarf!

2013-04-16T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

And how is everyone today?

Wonderful on Wednesday?

Good!

One of the things that keeps me working on a big project is to take a break from it and then go back and continue working on it. It kind of makes me lonesome for the project and I look forward to picking it up again.

So I'm sharing one of my diversions with you today.

I was on Pinterest or maybe a blog (???) Sorry I don't remember....

OH, I remember! It was Ravelry!

ANYWAY!

I saw this cute scarf pattern and it was sooooooooo easy, that I made it in one day!

Seriously!

You can get the pattern here.

I used Sugar and Cream cotton yarn and a J hook.

So that's that!

I have another little project that I finished and will share with you later.

I actually designed it myself. I'm kind of pleased with my own self.

I'm not gonna lie.

Thanks for checking in and saying "Hi".

I'll be back with a book review on Friday.

Have a FABULOUS week!

I'm Joining My Merry Messy Life

Howdy Doo! What's New?

2013-04-11T12:10:00.002-07:00

Hey!

I hope you have had a fabulous week

and are getting ready for a wonderful weekend!

Thank you everyone for participating in Fresh-Cut Friday.

We had some beautiful participants.

Our next party will be May 3rd and the flower for the month of
May is The Lily of the Valley.

Of course any post that includes pretty flowers,
gardens or floral crafts are welcome to participate

I did something that I just have to show off.

I hung some blue and white tea cups under our cabinets and included some under counter lights.

I LOVE how it turned out.

Do you ever just do something that is so small, but makes a HUGE impact?

I'm joining

Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's

Open House at Bernideen's
Anything Blue

Fresh-Cut Friday #32

2013-04-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

Hey There!

Welcome to another edition of Fresh-Cut Friday.

I'm so glad your here.

You know, FCF is really just about the simple joy of bringing fresh flowers into your home on a regular basis. And the thing is ... it just doesn't need to be expensive or complicated.

This little arrangement is going to travel all over the kitchen until it finds a spot

where I can enjoy it everyday.

A simple inexpensive bouquet of daisies. While daisies are the Flower of the Month, they are almost always in season. I picked these up for $4.99 at the grocery store.

Keeping the bouquet small, also makes it easily transportable.

This is where our little daisy bunch landed.... who knows where it will be tomorrow.

What have you done lately? I hope you will share your floral adventures!

Link your specific post below. Then add a link to your post back to this party so everyone can enjoy.

And I'll be joining these fun link parties:

Feathered Nest Friday

Home Sweet Home
Thrifty Things Friday
Open House Friday
Simple and Sweet Fridays

Bargain Beauty

2013-04-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Just popping in to show off some bargains that I got last week.

A $90.00 bottle of fragrance at Ulta for $45.00 .... I used my reward points. LOVE those.

Butter Nail Polish.... $8.00 normally $15.00 a bottle.... I'm glad I got it on sale.

I really still like Essie or OPI the best.

But I do love their marketing!

Quick reminder...

Tomorrow is Fresh-Cut Friday.

I will have the linky tool up tonight at 6:00pm Phoenix / Mountain Standard time

Spring Table Top and Old Stuff

2013-04-01T17:03:00.002-07:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday.

We did. Church Service was good:

The ABC's of Christianity:

A. Atonement

B. Belief

C. Confess
I love messages that are straight to the point and you walk away the meat of the matter.

You know what I mean? What about you?

Anyway, we are still sorting thru my Mom and Dad's house. It really does seem to be endless.

I brought home some old books and took the covers off. I'm using them in a centerpiece on the dinning room table.

I invested in some new Tea Cups.... Homer Laughlin Chatau. I love them. I'll be using them at the Ladies Tea at our church.

I'll be joining

Table Top Tuesday

Knick of Time Tuesday

Currently Loving!

2013-03-28T12:31:00.001-07:00

Fun Arm Parties

Leather Clutches

The Color Orange!

Coffee, Crochet and Camera!

2013-03-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite subjects!

Look at that cute little Hawkeye. Rescued from my mom's attic.

Even if I could find the film for it... I doubt it would work. But I do love

having it. I think I bought it with my horse walking money .... I was about

10??? Anyway, there were some people at church that owned a bunch of shetland ponies. They would go to local carnivals and sell rides to little kids. My job, along with about 10 other kids was

to walk the pony and rider in a big circle. We got paid a whopping $1.oo an hour. Getting paid to walk horses (eh...ponies) ... That was my dream come true. I was impressed with myself. Ah well... it was fun. I hadn't thought about that in forever until I saw this little camera.

I have all of my squares done... Just need to hook them all together!

Any one know of a pretty edge that I can put on it?

The Perfect Accent

2013-03-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday evening the Women's Ministry Team of North Phoenix Baptist Church was invited to spend an evening of fun and preview at our friend, Jo Hale's shop: The Perfect Accent.

So today I am showing you some fun pictures from that event and her shop.

Jo's custom designs have been installed all over the state and featured in Phoenix Home and Garden.

Although, she has a big-is-better, over-the-top style, her priorities are always in the right place.

She has a special place in her heart for Women's Ministry and has taught a women's bible study at our church for many years.

Three or four times a year she hosts an event at her shop or will teach a design class at our church. The events are always big hits. Some have had as many as 150 or more women.

My favorite events are the ones in her shop.

Because then I shop!

I'll be quiet and just let you drool now....

I love this chair! I have no place for it, but I love it!

What did I buy? A twine spool and matching scissors.

Do you love it?

If you would like to see more....

The Perfect Accent

(602) 944-4009 9507 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020

For some pictures of her installations go to her web site!

Jo Hale Interiors

I'll be Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for The Scoop

Oh! Hello Saturday!

2013-03-16T04:29:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday!

My favorite day of the week. (except for those rare days off in the middle of the week where I have the house to myself) I have a few chores to do and then the day is mine!

I love it.

I have a book to finish

and of course I have many a needle project to finish

and then there is the tea cup project in the kitchen.... More later!

Do you have plans for the weekend?

Oh! I hope you do.

AND I hope it's all fun!

Mrs. Mike

2013-03-15T06:44:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Mike, the Story of Katherine Mary Flannigan

by Benedict and Nancy Mars Freedman

From the back of the book:

Set in the Canadian wilderness in the early 1900s. Considered by some a young adult classic, Mrs. Mike has been published in several editions and is read worldwide. The work combines the landscape and hardships of the Great Canadian North with a love story between Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Mike Flannigan and a young Katherine Mary O'Fallon, newly arrived from Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Mike, based on the life of Katherine Mary O'Fallon Flannigan, documents the young couple's trials, sorrows, and growth.

There were mixed reviews from the book club on this one. Several of the ladies thought that it was a little rambling and didn't really like it to much. But I really liked it. In fact, I would read it again. I learned a lot about the Mounties and all that their job included. (amazing) Plus, I don't know that much about the Great Canadian North, so I found it very interesting. I thought this was a good read and well worth recommending.

I will be joining Art At Home for Literary Fridays

Finished!

2013-03-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Just popping in to show off one of my projects that I actually finished!

WOO HOO!

I love that feeling.

I think that the last of the cool (cool enough for this anyway)

weather is over.

I'm glad that I got it finished in time to wear it once or twice.

A fun, easy and quick little scarf.

Cast on 42 on size 5's
just knit till it is the length you desire
stitch the ends together
I added a picot stitch edge on both sides.

Finished!

Top-O-The-Mornin' To Ya!

2013-03-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

This fun little table was all inspired by this darling Leprechaun hat. One of the girls

where I work has had it on her desk for the last month or so. She is totally Irish.

ANYWAY!

I asked if I could borrow it and she said " yes... wait! What are you going to do with it?"

I explained and she relented with an odd look.

I'm glad she did. Because this was fun and cheep.

The only thing I bought were the little plastic hats and the

shamrocks that are scattered about. One dollar each at the

dollar store.

I will be making corned beef for dinner next Sunday...

What about you?

I'm joining

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
The Home Girl for Festive Friday

The Dressmaker

2013-03-08T04:27:00.001-07:00

The Dressmaker

by Kate Alcott

If you love anything that involves the Titanic, you will love this!

From the back of the book:

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she’s had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be her personal maid on the Titanic. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men—a kind sailor and an enigmatic Chicago businessman—who offer differing views of what lies ahead for her in America. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes, and amidst the chaos, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat.

The survivors are rescued and taken to New York, but when rumors begin to circulate about the choices they made, Tess is forced to confront a serious question. Did Lady Duff Gordon save herself at the expense of others? Torn between loyalty to Lucile and her growing suspicion that the media’s charges might be true, Tess must decide whether to stay quiet and keep her fiery mentor’s good will or face what might be true and forever change her future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with unexpected twists and turns. Let me know if you have read or decide to read this selection. I would love to know what you thought.

I'm joining Riki Jill for :

Something Great Somebody Said

2013-03-05T19:35:00.001-07:00

Starbuck's Cinnamon Chocolate Bread

2013-03-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

SO!

One morning I was in Starbucks and saw this incredible chocolate bread. Normally I am not terribly smitten or tempted by the baked goods at Starbucks (frankly they are usually overpriced and stale)... but this looked so amazing I had to try it. BOY! Did it deliver. So much so that I googled it and found the recipe.

Now, I have made 2 batches and I have to tell you.... You MUST follow the recipe exactly and the dutch processed cocoa is key ( I finally found mine at Sprouts). The first batch I made with regular unsweetened baking cocoa and the bread was just okay. Not the bread that I had at Starbucks. The second time I had found the right cocoa and the finished product was perfect.

Without further adue... I give you....

Starbuck's Cinnamon Chocolate Bread

Ingredients (makes two loaves):
Chocolate Batter –

3 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs at room temperature
2 cups flour
1 ¼ cup dutch processed cocoa
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
¼ cup water
1 tsp vanilla

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 F. Grab two 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pans and line with parchment paper.
Step 2 – To mix the batter you’ll start with the butter and sugar. Mix these in an electric mixer until light and creamy, around 5 minutes. Then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until each is fully incorporated. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to get them fully mixed in.

Step 3 – Grab another bowl and sift together flour, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, water and vanilla. With your mixer on a low speed, begin adding the contents of each bowl to the butter mixture, alternating between the two until your mixture is fully blended, but not overly whipped. Then split your batter between the two pans. If your batter is slightly uneven, you can lightly shake the pan to even out the tops.

Cocoa Spice Topping –

¼ cup granulated sugar
¾ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp dutch processed cocoa
Pinch of ground ginger
Pinch of ground cloves
¼ cup sparkle sugar (for decorating)

Step 4 – For the topping combine the sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, ginger and cloves. Then evenly layer the decorating sugar over your batter, followed by the spice mixture.
Step 5 – Bake for 45-50 minutes.