a little thrifting I did go

Had the opportunity a few days ago to stop in at the thrift store in the next town over.
Picked up a couple of things to add to my collections.

I don't know how well the leaf can be seen on the apple shaped dish but I thought it was neat and the price was right.



I have a pitcher collection started by my son in law a few Christmases back and have been adding to it slowly. So when I saw this little white one I knew it had to come home with me.



And who can ever have enough teacups? I am always on the lookout for unique ones. Though this is not unique I thought it would be a nice one to use. The dish next to the teacup I picked up too. I'm not sure what it is for... maybe a tealight? but, it came with the beads in it. I like to use those in the bottom of my vases when I cut fresh flowers.

I just really liked this dish and you know you should never collect anything unless you really like it!
Sorry about the glare from my flash on some of these. :(

ongoing project

The fireplace is coming along well. We only had one mishap and I pray no more.

While working on the roof doing some sawing for the chimney to go through J cut his finger and had to go get a few stitches! Ouch! Of course he didn't want to go get it looked at but his mom talked him into it(she's a nurse thank goodness) and I pressed the issue. I would hate for it to have been left and then gotten infected or something. Ten days and the stitches will be out. It looks a bit nasty right now but Lord willing it will heal quickly with no problems.

They are up to placing the stones on the front and the mantel is up. He is being very particular about the placement of the stones and I am grateful for that. It is like watching an artist at work. He places each stone and then decides if he wants that one or maybe a different one would look better or fit better. I will definitely be posting a picture of the finished project. Maybe a few of it as they went along.

Til next time,
blessings,
Denise

a little snow and a little fun too

Thought I'd share a few pictures of what we have been doing lately.
We had a nice snowfall last week and it looked like snowman snow. We ventured out, one of us on foot and as you will see, one of us in the nice dry (well we put a towel on the seat) car.
I just happen to be the power behind this vehicle and she enjoyed having me push her around.





She wasn't to thrilled to have me stop and get the pictures but being a sweetie she humored her Mimi.

After tiring of riding around we moved on to the swing. Another use for the towel!



While she was swinging I was taking some more photos. Our arbor looks a bit lonely for a nice Spring day when the grape vine will cover it and someone will be sitting inside sipping iced tea or lemonade. Maybe enjoying the new sprouts of plants and flowers bursting through the ground to blossom and show off the beautiful colors and greenery.




This little area is on the other end of the yard. I thought it looked so pretty with the snow covering it all.




Looks pretty forlorn now that all this snow has melted and today we are back to green and brown.

Hope all you dear friends have a blessed day no matter where you are or what your weather.
til next time,
Denise

First day of the new year.

The last day of last year was quite trying. First we had all planned to go to a dinner and worship/communion service last night at church. Ah but plans don't always go the way we think. Myself and the two youngers left with crockpot and dessert in hand and J would meet up with us there later. Had something he needed to take care of first. So we head out and get there on time for once. Had the meal and as I was heading into service I noticed I had missed a call from dd #1. She was calling to see what to do for the little one as he had become sick. In the meantime she had called her her mil and got some good advice. Told her if it wasn't too late when we got back I would call and check on him. Well, we were quite late so I didn't hear till this morning. He is doing better today.
So, into service we went. Not long after it started I got another call. So embarrassing in the middle of church. Anyway it was J and since it was so late he said he wouldn't get to the service before it would be over. We stayed after has they had a time of fellowship playing games and having coffee and dessert. It was a fun time and we made it home about 11:45 so we were all here together to bring in the new year.
There is nothing better than having the ones you love with you on the special days.
So we all eventually headed to bed, think it was around 2am when I finally got there.
Everyone was up fairly early this morning and as we are expecting company and I needed to get some cleaning done we plunged into the new day.
So all is pretty much in order and I am ready for a nap but alas it will soon be time to start our meal for today.
I am going to try and get the pictures of our new fireplace posted either this evening or tomorrow. Which ever time allows.
I hope each of you has a year full of blessings from God's hand and a life overflowing with the peace of His love in your hearts.
til next time,
Blessings,
Denise

Mini aprons!

Here are the mini aprons I made for the Valentine swap over at MJF.
This was my first try at them and I think they came out ok. Hopefully I'll get better at making them.
Can't wait to see all the minis that are coming back to me. These are going out in the post today.
Have a blessed day.
Til next time,
Denise

a couple of projects going on

I have been using the last few days to work on some projects. I am involved in a couple of swaps on two groups I am in.
One is a tea towel and the other is for mini aprons. I will post pics as soon as they are finished.
I am also in the middle of organizing and cleaning my craft "area".
This happens to be in our living room so I am trying to keep everything together in one part of the room. Though the family room is used more than the living room we still go in there to read or have a chat or whatever so I want to keep it neat and tidy. I haven't quite reached that goal yet but I am working in there today and hope to get that finished up.
I also want to start adding a few more things to my etsy shop.
Have a blessed day.
Til next time,
Denise

Check out this Spring fling giveaway.

Kay over at Rustic Cottage is having a giveaway. Hurry to enter as it ends tonight at 9:00pm Pacific time. Here's the address
http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Well, the sun is shining but the wind is blowing and making it very cold. I'm grateful for a woodstove and fireplace. Though I am finding it is difficult to keep this fireplace going as it should.
Could be it's going ok, but I am freezing. Have been fighting off the worst day of a cold today. Maybe that is a good sign? Hoping to be over it soon. Took a little rest earlier. That seemed to help some. Trying to stay warm by the fire with hot tea and some hand work.
Hope you all are having a good day wherever you are and whatever your weather.
Blessings.
til next time,
Denise

Finished my latest project

Here is a photo I thought I'd share.


I joined a quilt block swap at MJF and this is my finished block. We were to make seventeen. I only took a picture of one block because all of mine are the same pattern. I am excited to get the ones everyone else made and my quilt together. Hopefully I can get it together before Christmas! With so much on our schedule though I may not get to it. Since we did winter theme instead of Christmas there will be plenty of time to work on it after the holidays.

Have a blessed day!
Denise

an awesome giveaway

A blog that I had been reading is back online. Susan is posting a giveaway.


You can sign up over at her blog just follow this link. You won't be disappointed.
Susan has a very uplifting blog.
www.susangodfrey.blogspot.com/2008/01/simply-susans-back-online-giveaway.html