Gracie and Co.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

2012-02-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

This is the sweetest picture and reminds me of times past!! Love all my girlfriends and today

am reminded of the special places they hold in my heart.

Today, Valentines Day, as I think about all those I love, especially my husband,

it is just a small speck,

compared to the love our Heavenly Father has for us....

."Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work Jeremiah 1:4-5

Happy Valentines to You!!!

Link Party for Valentines

2012-02-14T06:21:00.002-08:00

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Pringles Brownies

2012-02-11T15:15:00.000-08:00

Found this great recipe online today. Sounds delicous. Great opportunity to try these out this week for Valentines!!

Pringles Brownies
INGREDIENTS

6 ounces baking chocolate, unsweetened
3/4 cup unsalted butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1-6.41 ounce can of Original PRINGLES, regular or reduced fat
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Line 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, and spray foil with cooking spray.
3. In a glass bowl, microwave chocolate and butter on high for 2 minutes. Stir until chocolate melts.
4. In a stainless steel bowl, mix sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well mixed.
5. Pour in butter chocolate mixture and mix well.
6. Empty PRINGLES and flour into a food processor, and puree until very fine.
7. Empty flour mixture into chocolate mixture and mix well; add nuts to distribute.
8. Bake for 30 minutes, and cool.

Cypress Inn Bran Muffins

2012-02-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Mother used to love to go to Tuscaloosa for special occasions with her friends to eat lunch at the Cypress Inn. It was a short drive from Birmingham and a fun outing for the ladies."They had the best muffins", she would say after she got home. One day she got the recipe for them and would make them for us to eat at many dinners at her house. Even though I have several of her recipe books here at my house, they are packed away in boxes that I have not gone through yet. So when I was trying to help my daughter in law plan a bruncheon at her house, I thought of these little muffins and how good they would be. The wonders of modern times.... I googled them and got the recipe.

As I was making them, I remembered all the times Mother had done the same thing in her kitchen. As I took them and spread them out for the bruncheon, I thought of her and how she displayed them at her house. So many things, so many times, still remind me of her. Tears come, but a different kind of tear... tears of happy times with her, tears of missing her, but tears of seeing her in Heaven and believing that she surely must be seeing us, smiling down on us and knowing we are doing good. She did her job of raising us, now it is her time to be basking in her inheritence that God has promised to all of us who believe.

So, here is the famous Cypress Inn Bran muffin recipe. Hope you can enjoy it one day as you cook a delicious meal for your family and serve these special muffins. They are perfect to serve with your favorite jam or jelly. Enjoy!!

Things we have in common with a "Pencil"!!

2012-02-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

I heard this illustration last week in my Bible Study during devotion time and it makes your think... How are we compared to pencils? Well, read on.....
1. Everything you do will always leave a mark
2. You can always correct the mistakes you make
3. What is important is what is inside of you
4. In life, you will undergo painful sharpening which will only make you better
5. To be the best, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you

And lastly, Billy Graham once said that "our life without God is like an unsharpened pencil, this is no point!"

So, next time you hold a pencil in your hand to write, think of these comparisons and remember just what is important in our lives!

beautiful bedroom...

2012-01-31T15:17:00.001-08:00

eclectic bedroom design by san francisco interior designer Stacey Costello Design

I found this picture online and love the soft look of everything in this bedroom, I love the lime green pop and the white shabby bed. This may be my dream lakehouse bedroom!

Kiddos notes....

2012-01-31T13:32:00.000-08:00

New spring cards for those special little ones to write their vey own thank you notes!

These cards come 10 to a pack. Blank, folded 4.25x5.5 size note cards, with matching envelopes.

printed on 110 lb. white card strock paper. Whimsical, bright colors, perfect for that special

little child to enjoy. Great birthday present or grandparent surprise. $12.00 a pack

Customized fabric?

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Click here... Making customized fabrics

Oh, my goodness...... I just found this site, through watching Nate Berkus Show, where you can send a picture or image and they turn it into fabric! How cool is that!?!!

I cannot wait to figure out what to send in to have some really neat customized fabrics to use for that special project!!

I love to record Nate then watch at my leisure and fast forward through all the things except his decorating ideas and tips. Today, he had a lady from Country Living magazine and she talked about the Country Living Fair that they have in Atlanta in the fall. It is at Stone Mountain, where I have been many times for Yellow Daisy Festival but I have never heard of this Coutry Living Fair. It looked like they had many vendors who sell old or vintage items that you can use to recreate another look. Pinterest people could go crazy there!! The lady had bought several prints for $3, and sent them to this site to make some fabric that she used for pillows... My mind is spinning as I am writing this, thinking about this!!

Happy Monday!!

To my children

2012-01-30T08:28:00.000-08:00

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57368121-10391704/trisomy-18-in-spotlight-after-rick-santorums-daughter-bella-hospitalized/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CBSNewsTravelGuru+%28Travel+Guru%3A+CBSNews.com%29

I know you don`t remember or Lara, this was before you were born, but when I had my miscarriages, three all together between Brent and Lara, the last one, we had tested, sent to the pathologist, to see if there was a reason for this third miscarriage. The results came back with it being Trisomy 18. A condition where there is an extra chromosone, three instead of two of this particular one....

When I noticed this morning that Santorum`s daughter, Bella, was hospitalized over the weekend, I was drawn to read the article when I noticed she had Trisomy 18 from birth. Wow.... When it happened to us, I was told that almost always, these babies are not carried to full term and if they do, they would almost always be born still born. This little Bella is the exception to that "Almost always". It brought tears to my eyes to see what she must go through, what her parents must go through watching her, every day.

The point of this note to you is this..... God walks along us during each trial.... I have said so much during Mother`s battle, that I don`t understand but we trust God that His is the perfect timing.....Now, seeing this, remembering how heart broken I was when I lost those little ones, I didn`t understand then either but trusted that it was in His perfect timing.... I realize that today was His timing, His showing me the "why"... it happened.. I certainly wouldn`t have wanted our child to go through this each day. Yes, we would have loved it so much but it would have broken our hearts to have to watch it being so sick. So, today, I am thankful for the three most perfect children that He blessed me with , and thankful that with the three sick ones, He has them in His care and we will be together one day.

I love you all so much!!

Love,

mom

Worthy

2012-01-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

Lazy day.... more cards.....

2012-01-23T05:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my husband had to work from noon until after 8, so I had the house to myself to do some projects that I had planned. As one movie turned into another and the couch was pretty comfortable, I just decided to work on some new cards. I wanted to get some baby cards going with the chevron background so these are the ones that I came up with... There is just something very exciting about working on baby cards!

You can check these out on my facebook page or contact me at gracieandco@aol.com

for any questions.

Comforting scripture in times of death and grief

2012-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after I got home from my adult art class, I had a note from my art teacher. She is a dear, sweet friend. Our group has been together for well over ten years and have become really good friends. During the last few years, 4 of us have lost our Mothers. Her husband had gotten this group of scriptures together for someone he knew going through a loss. When she saw it, she forwarded it to all of us. I wanted to share it in hopes that someone who reads them, will be comforted.

COMFORTING SCRIPTURE ON THE SUBJECT OF DEATH AND GRIEF

1. God is sovereign over death; His timing is as He planned.

Psalm 39:4: “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days…”

2. Not even death can separate us from God and His love.

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

3. Death for the believer means being in the presence of Christ.

Philippians 1:21-23: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.”

2 Corinthians 5:6-8: “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

4. Death for the believer means receiving a changed and glorified body.

John 11:25-26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

Philippians 3:21: “Who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”

I Corinthians 15:51-52: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

5. Jesus’s death brings ultimate freedom from fear of death.

I Peter 1:3-5: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

6. God can restore joy.

Isaiah 51:11: “The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

7. God’s presence and strength are constant.

Psalm 46:1-3, 7: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Lamentations 3:21-24: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”

8. We must help bring comfort to those who mourn the loss of someone close.

Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

John 11:33-36: “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ‘Where have you laid him?’ He asked. “come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, ‘See how He loved him!”

Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints [or godly ones].”

Revelation 14:13: “And I heard a voice from Heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed is the man who dies in the Lord from now on.’ “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

II Corinthians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

More Chevrons...

2012-01-17T07:45:00.002-08:00

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-link-party.htmlhttp://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-link-party.html

I have really been interested in all sorts and colors of chevron prints. It is so fun to see these prints being developed into backgrounds for some cards. I have a few more to add today to my collection. With Valentines coming soon, "LOVE" was the inspiration for this one.

Then one for thank you notes for new baby..... this one can be personalized with baby initials on the duck if wanted...

A few more for anyone to use as gifts, birthday thank yous or just to say hello..... they come with A2 size envelopes, blank, folded 4.25x5.5 size. Can even be customized with special

scripture on the back of card. Packaged 10 to a pack. Check out by facebook or website

for other designs....

Happy Tuesday!!

Our Faith Journey

2012-01-13T06:10:00.000-08:00

A while back, I was asked to give the devotion for my Bible Study group about our

faith journey we were on recently.

We have about 140 people enrolled..... I could never have considered

doing this before our journey we took with our Mother in 2010, but now, going back

over those weeks and months in my mind, I wanted to share it.

Speaking in front of a room full of people is certainly out of my comfort zone,

but it wasn`t about me. I didn`t want it to be about me. It was about what God

showed us through Mother as she was going through the toughest battle

of her life. It was about how we were encouraged through watching her. It was

about how our faith was strengthened in the midst of this trial.

So, yesterday was the day. And this is what I said....

In our lesson this week, we are studying faith journeys of those who perservered

by faith and how they effected generations to come. I want to talk a little

about the faith legacy of my Mother and how God used her to strengthen our faith.

As I have gone over what I wanted to say, so many times, I woke up this morning, thinking

I had it all ready. As I turned on the computer, I posted a verse that had come

to me in a devotion earlier. Isaiah 45:3

A new friend, Shannon, came into my life through her journal online. She

lost her mother years ago, and we have been brought together through

our personal walks, without our Mothers. Shannon commented

how this was her favorite verse and rewrote it from the Message Bible.

"I`ll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I`ll break down bronze city gates,

smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.

I`ll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables,

confirmation that it is, in fact, I, God, who calls you by name."

Buried treasures in the midst of dark times.....

In July, 2010, our family began a faith journey following the path that God was

leading us on . I discovered Caringbridge through a friend. Their mission is

to expand the love , hope and compassion needed to make each health

journey easier. Friends and family were able to get on each day to stay informed.

This caringbridge journal was about my Mother and her battle with

pancreatic cancer. It was her faith journey, a place to share God`s

word and His message, but along the way,

It became a spiritual journey for me as well.

Before I read some excerpts from my journal, I want to share the unique story

of how two families joined together.

Soon after Tom and I were married in 1974, my Father died. A few years later, his

mother passed away. Through these hard years and losses, God

suprised us with His plans. and in His

Perfect timing.. My mother married Tom`s Dad a few years later

and lived happily together for 29 years.

.....8 years ago, Alzheimers invaded their lives.

During this time, she took care of his every need. When the time came when she

could no longer physically care for him, we found a facility that

specializes in the care of alzheimer patients , and that would be his home now

My daughter had given Gaga, as she was known by her

grandchildren, a journal book one Christmas a few years back

to fill out the answers to specific questions. They called it her

"Coming of Age" book!

One of the questions asked what her greatest fear was.

Mother wrote... "That I`ll get sick and have problems with Papa

still here". Later, after she found out

about her illness, she wrote on that same page.."it looks like that has happened

with my recent diagnosis of cancer. I am just so grateful we have Tom in a good place and I`m

assured that they are taking good care of him."

This is where my journaling begins...

Saturday, July 17

The reality is sinking in this morning.

I was hoping to wake up from this dream but as morning

got here, nope, it is not a dream but very much real. We are moving ahead, gathering our

armor and getting ready for baattle.

We will be deciding the oncologist so we can get in touchwith him on Monday. that will be our biggest decision for now because he will be our new best friend in the days and weeks ahead

"Please God, place the Doctor of your choice in our lives to care for Mother along side You.

Our hope is in You. we know you are in control.

Mother writes again in her journal,

"What would we do without our Faith? I can see God`s hand in all of this,

the fact that we got Papa settled before the cancer hit US. I pray each day

that God will look after him and I pray for those sweet workers that are caring for him.

Right now, we are all putting our trust in God, knowing He is walking

this path beside us.."

sunday, September 12,.

We have had to put Papa in the hospital for some evaluations. He has taken

a turn for the worse today and is in bed on oxygen

Tuesday, September 14

Papa passed away that September night after we had taken Mother

to visit him in the afternoon. They sat, holding hands, him asleep, her in the

wheelchair beside him. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don`t depend on

your own understanding." Prov. 3:5. When Mother couldn`t take care of him, God

took over and welcomed him home with Him, just two months after Mother

got her news. We grieved for him but celebrated him out of that broken and worn

body becaue he was whole again.

Thank you, Lord, for the assurance we have in You. As soon as Papa took his

last breath on earth, he came into Your Presence. We thank you for his life

and what he meant to each of us.

Oct. 3,

Sunday afternoon, Prayers for Gaga. We invited friends, family, neighbors

to join us in her front yard for a praise time. It was a time of prayer, singing

and encouragement. Purple is Pancreatic Cancer color so we asked all

to wear purple. We ordered purple bracelets with Prayers for Gaga, gave

our purple bookmarks, had purple ribbons on all the trees. Purpose was to

encourage Gaga and lift her up in prayer.

She was a bit sick that morning but was able to go outside on her porch

to see everyone and was amazed at how many people had come. She stayed

until the last one left. The balloons were let go at the end and we watched

as they all floated up to Heaven with prayers for Gaga.

Oct. 26,

This week she was feeling pretty good,

we decided to pack her up, that Friday. pack up

her pills and take her to the beach where she loved to go.

Just us three siblings, Anne, Bill, me

and Mother. It was an open window, an unexpected gift we got, just at the last minute

but we jumped at the chance. We went out to eat, sat out on the balcony

she even had coffee and knitted which she had not done for weeks. If she

felt bad, she didn`t let us know. I think she willed herself to feel good.. for us.

It was a step back in time for us. Just being with our Mother,

the three children. We talked on into the night, laughed over old times and

just loved on her. We came home thanking God for His timing in

making this happen.

I remember when Susanne Bailey gave the

opening several years ago about her hard journey with Christopher,

she said, she heard God speaking in the midst of their trial, "Do you trust Me?"

I had the same question come to me so many times as the days were getting harder...

Do you trust Me?"

"Yes, Lord, we trust You, we don`t understand but we trust you and we Love you."

Thursday, Nov. 25

Thanksgiving at Mothers House, we were reminded of all we have to be thankful for.

Family and friends have been brought together these last months as we are all here for

Mother. 23 gathered at her house today. We brought out old pictures, and took a trip

down memory lane. So much of our lives were there in print. So much of our parents,

grandparents, and great grandparents lives were there for us to see. we feel very

thankful today, to be a part of this family.

Song that I love. and is perfect for today...

I will bless the Lord forever, and I will trust Him at all times, he has delivered me from all fear

and he has set my feet upon a rock and I will not be moved, and I`ll say of the Lord

you are my shield, my strength, my portion, deliverer, my shelter, strong tower

my very present help in time of need." Yes, Lord, we trust you!

Proverbs 16:9 says "a man`s mind plans his way but the Lord directs his steps

and makes them sure." We had planned our lives with Mother all on our own.

Her mother and grandmother had lived to be 96 and were a huge part of our lives.

We thought we would have her for at least that long. It was not in our plans for

her to get cancer and leave us at 81. We had lots more we wanted to do with her.

She was not only our mother, our grandmother, but our best friend.

She entwined her life so deeply into ours that she was a vital part of our being.

But, God directed our paths in a different direction.

Yes, Lord, we trust you....

Tuesday, Dec.7

These words are getting harder to find and write down. Our hearts are heavy. We still

pray for that miracle but know God may give her that perfect body with Him.

One of my children asked me this morning as we were talking about gaga and how

she is doing.. Mom, weren`t we just here? Yes, we were on this road a few short

months ago with Papa. we don`t want to be here again is our first response. But we

are and we are here for a different battle. She has not given up and neither will we.

Do you trust me? Yes, Lord we trust you.....

Another example of God`s perfect timing and how

His hands were at work when we didn`t even realize

....we remembered a surprise birthday party

we had for her the summer before.

We invited friends and family, many she hadn`t seen in a long time

. It was a day that she loved to relive and read

cards she got, over and over. The house was full of everyone who was special to her.

We told her and teased afterwards that it was like being at your own funeral.

Seeing all your friends and family coming for you. It was a great day

for her and for all of us there. Lots of hugging, lots of pictures for us to remember.

A great 80th party..

Little did we know that we would all be together again in a short year and a half

for another celebration of her life..

Monday, dec. 13,

The waiting is so hard. We did not want this time to come, we prayed so hard, we

all watched as Mother fought so hard, we rejoiced in the good days we had with her

selfishly, we didn`t want them to end. But now, 5 months after our journey started,

it is time, time to pray for God to take her home with Him. She is slipping away each

moment and it is the hardest task we have ever had to watch

As I was looking through some of her things, I came across this devotion that

she had written in her Bible some time ago.

"And that is Life"
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky came down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, "There! She`s gone."
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and span as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her, and just at the moment when some one at my side says, "There! She`s gone", there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "There she comes!"

What a picture of this is in our minds as we sit by her bedside. We whisper to her the minute she takes her last breath here on earth , when she opens her eyes, she will be in the presence of our Lord!! What could be better than that?!! We are excited for her and what she has in store on this journey. Our hearts ache for us, for what we have lost and memories we will not have with her.... but the good news is that as we say good bye, others will be waiting with open arms to say, "Here she comes!"

She was born on June 24, 1929, to die Dec. 13, 2010.

It was the dash in between those two dates that she

wrote and left as her legacy. Her journey on earth was over that

afternoon and in an instant, she arrived to stand

before God. our faith journey without her

continues. It has been over a year now, lots of relived memories, lots of tears,

but with God`s grace, we are

able to move forward, knowing our lives are in His hands.

"Yes ,Lord we trust You "

Faith

Forsaking all I trust Him.

Headboard from an old door..... best surprise ever!!!

2012-01-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

We have some good friends who just moved back to Birmingham. She was my best friend in high school and now our husbands are friends... We all went out to eat before Christmas and had a great time. When we exchanged our Christmas gifts, they handed me a small box, wrapped inside it was a note. It said that they were going to make me a headboard out of an old door. Bill had made one for Pam and I LOVED it. I guess I whinned enough about wanting one that Bill decided to make me one,probably so I would stop talking about it!! At first he said he would gather his supplies and "loan" them to us so we could do it. We don`t know how to do all of that work and couldn`t begin to do it justice.... then we get this surprise! He did a great job on our new bed and they delivered it tonight.
What a present!! It is the sweetest gesture ever!! I love these sweet friends!!
My new bed is gorgeous!!!

Cinnamon pull apart rolls

2012-01-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon rolls are certainly my weakness. I ran across this delicious looking recipe on http://www.plainchicken.com/search/label/bread
I can`t wait to try it out... If you make it first, let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!

Cinnamon Roll Pulls
(Printable Recipe)

1 unsliced round loaf sourdough bread

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make Vanilla Honey Butter: Whip butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar together until smooth; stir in honey and vanilla. Set aside. (You can use regular butter if desired)

Cut the bread lengthwise into 1/2" slices, without cutting through the bottom crust. Spread vanilla honey butter in between slices. Rotate the bread 90 degrees and slice the bread again into 1/2" pieces, without cutting through the bottom crust. Spread more vanilla honey butter in between new cuts. This doesn't need to be perfect - just make sure there is lots of butter in between all the cuts. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Generously sprinkle in between all cuts. (You may have extra butter and cinnamon sugar. It will just depend on how large your bread loaf is.)

Wrap in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until bread is warm. Unwrap cinnamon bread and place on serving platter. Combine powdered sugar and milk - adding milk until you get the consistency desired. Drizzle icing over bread and serve immediately.

Valentines is coming in a hurry!

2012-01-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

As January has come I am realizing that it will be gone in a hurry and February will be upon us. So, here are some Valentine Day cards that I have been working on.

Tonight, I am watching the BCS national Championship game,I am pulling for Bama!! It is an e xciting game so far but there is a lot of game left to play. Makes for a great night!! Roll Tide!! Had to show the houndstooth elephant Valentine Card in honor or our team tonight...

The Blue Robe

2012-01-06T17:48:00.000-08:00

It has been 13 months since Mother died. A whole year has passed and then some... There are days when I can go easily without tears, still remembering her but in a good memory way.

We have almost finished clearing her house of her things, but the basement still had a section of things left to sort out. As I am over there today going through some Christmas things, some old frames and some old clothes, I pull out this blue fleece, hold it up and realize that it is her robe. She loved that old robe and wore it all the time. We even have pictures of her in it the last month she was with us. I am sure my sister or I had put it in that box, but I don`t remember doing it. When I pull it out and realize what it is, I stop in my tracks, hold it tight for a minute and just have a little cry with myself, all alone in the basement. Wondering how I can be over there doing this? She should still be there, wearing her blue robe. Then reality pours down on me, like it always does, and I fold the robe up and lay it down to finish going through the things in the box.

I hear the second year is hard. But then again, I thought the first year was hard.... Somehow after it has been a year and the reality is really there... they are not coming back, it is hard, AGAIN?!! REALLY?!! At least that is what people tell me, and I can see where they are coming from when they say that. I talked with my sweet friend the other day who had lost her Mother 5 years ago, and the tears are still fresh in her voice, I can hear them as we talk about Christmas and how we missed our Mothers. The thing is, life goes on, I know that. That is how God planned it to be. I know death is part of life, that is how He planned it. Also, I know that relationships are gifts that He generously gives us. It is up to us what to do with them. Just thankful that we used our gift with our Mother. If we didn`t love her so much, we wouldn`t be missing her so much.

God is so good. He plans our days before we are even created. He knew it was her time to go to Him. He has blessed us all as we continue our journey here without her. New memories of holidays, birthdays and special events. She would have loved them, but she is so happy now, that we can`t even wish for her to be here with us. With that knowledge, with that hope that we have in our Lord, we can get up in the morning and face each new day with Him.

So, as I put the robe to rest, I am reminded that it is just a robe, an earthly possession. Mother couldn`t take it with her, she is enjoying all those heavenly treasures that are stored up for us in Heaven. Stuff..... clutter.... are just that. Temporary.... our time should be spent storing treasures that will last for eternity. Still missing our Mom, but loving to think about where she is and what she is doing!!

Valentines card for Mother

2012-01-04T06:41:00.000-08:00

As I am going through and getting my Valentine cards ready and adding new ones I come across this one that I made for my Mother several years ago. In honor of her, I am bringing it out to sell as a single card this year. On the back of the card is the scripture

“Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised Proverbs 31:28-30

Thought for the day

2012-01-03T06:10:00.000-08:00

$10 shelves

2012-01-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

I found this great tutorial for these awesome shelves. I have been wanting to make a gallery of pictures in my upstairs hall but then I came across this great looking solution. She has a great blog with lots of ideas. So, my quest this week is to round up all my picture frames to give them a quick spray paint job!

http://ana-white.com/2010/10/plans/ten-dollar-ledges

Chevron prints!

2012-01-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

I have recently found out that these zig zag prints are called "Chevron" prints. They are everywhere, so I decided that I needed some note cards with various styles of the chevron prints on them, personalized too. Here are a few of the ones that I have been working on this week. More to come, probably!

words to live by

2011-12-30T20:27:00.000-08:00

I found these on pinterest tonight and wanted to share. Words to live by indeed!

My Gaga and me

2011-12-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

This past year has brought big changes in our lives as I have mentioned on here before. My mother, Gaga, went home to be with the Lord last December, 2011. This Christmas I tried to do something for each child that would be a good reminder, a memory, for them with their Gaga. I found lots of pictures with my daughter, Lara, with Gaga. That wasn`t a hard task to do because she loved her so and they did lots together over the years. They shared a special bond that will forever be felt by Lara. She was one lucky Grandmother to be loved so deeply by all who knew her. I wrote a little poem with the pictures and then framed it for Lara to have for her room. We all miss our Gaga still but feel like she is with us through all the love she gave us and things she made us each year. This is just a small reminder of how the love that Mother shared so freely touched us all.

My Gaga and me were best friends.....
She always had a smile and a hug for me
When I was little she would hold me on her knee
I loved to spend the night at her house
We would read, play games and watch movies
But when bedtime came,
we were quiet as a mouse
She called me her “Doodlebug”
I liked to sit with her all close and snug
She always showed God`s love and grace
even as she ran her toughest race...
In my heart there will always be
wonderful memories of
My Gaga and me

Christmas night

2011-12-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

All the time and effort that has been spent getting ready for today, is behind us. Special gifts thought about and gotten together to give to our loved ones, have now been opened. Gifts galore....gathering of family and friends, brunches, lunch, dinner, naps, stress of getting everywhere to see everyone.... it has all come to an end for the year 2011. Somewhere in the middle of all the busyness, is the true reason for the celebration of today... Jesus`s birthday!

The gifts from today will be played with and soon forgotten, but the greatest gift of all, Jesus, is eternal. Heaven seems a bit closer to me this year. My Mother passed away last December and when I think of her, I think about what she must be doing in Heaven. Right in the midst of Jesus! Celebrating His birthday With Him..... My heart still aches when I think of how much I miss her but my mind knows...... She must surely be so excited and happy to be where she is.

Especially today, on Christmas, I miss her. I miss her helping me plan the Christmas dinner. I miss calling her to say, "Merry Christmas" when I got up this morning, I miss her walking in the door for lunch, with food in her hands for us to enjoy. I miss her making the Charlotte, that she always made for dessert on Christmas. I miss her specially made gifts that she always would make for us. I miss her smile, her warmth, her love and just her presence... She was a special friend and I think that I will always miss her. I am sure it will get easier, but I will always miss her.

So thankful today, for my family, for all of my blessings and most of all, so thankful for the birth of Jesus. So as this day draws to a close, I am reminded of the important things in life. Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

White Chocolate Bread pudding

2011-12-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

About once a year I pull out the recipe for this special dessert, White chocolate bread pudding and make it for Christmas. It is too rich to have often but on this special day, it is a treat to finish up lunch with this waiting in the kitchen for dessert.... I am not a huge bread pudding fan but once I had this, I was hooked... ENJOY!!!

White Chocolate Bread Pudding
4 cups heavy whipping cream
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons vanilla
12 oz. pkg white chocolate chips
1 lb. Pepperidge Farm French bread, hot and crusty.( I got the twin package)
Tear bread into small pieces. Mix together 4 cups of cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla and 1 pkg of white
chocolate chips. Pour over bread pieces. Let soak for 30 minutes, Mix and pour into greased 9x13 inch pan.
bake 350 for 45 minutes, May take less or a little more, top should look a bit brown.

Melt Icing in microwave....
12 oz. pkg. white chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Melt 2nd package of white chocolate chips with 1 cup of whipping cream. Heat, stir, heat, stir, til smooth.
Pour icing over warm bread pudding.
I mixed the 4 cups of heavy whipping cream with 1 cup skim milk, then divided the 4 cups and 1 cup. ENJOY!!!

Pretzel snowmen

2011-12-20T05:41:00.000-08:00

I found this cute recipe for snowmen on Pinterest. They look so fun and not so hard to make. I think I may try some with my grandson! Happy Dipping!!!

Bag of 8-inch pretzel rods
1 cup white chocolate chips
Mini chocolate chips
Orange decorators' gel
Fruit leather (various colors)
Gummy rings
Gumdrops

To make a batch, melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler.

One at a time, dip one end of an 8-inch pretzel rod in the melted chocolate and use a plastic spoon or knife to spread the chocolate two thirds of the way down the rod.

Set the pretzels on a sheet of waxed paper and press on mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. Use orange decorators' gel to add a carrot nose.

When the chocolate has hardened, stand the pretzels in a mug or glass and tie on strips of fruit leather for scarves. For each hat, stretch a gummy ring over the narrow end of a gumdrop and secure it on the pretzel rod with a dab of melted chocolate.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2011-12-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

This is a funny story that was breought to my mind as I was cleaning out my closet the other day. Way up high on the top shelf, I pulled down a big box. In that box, was a small version of the old record players years ago that played by themselves. They had those big huge records, with the little dots on them that played as it turned around. My great aunt had one. I loved to listen to it at Christmas time when we would go to her apartment. She was never married,had no children to leave her precious things with, just had an extended family that helped take care of her. After she died, her record player ended up at our house with a few other things. It stayed wrapped up in the basement for a few years. Then one day, out of the blue, Mother gets a phone call from one of the other cousins asking if they might be able to have that record player.

Well...........at the time, I was married and away from home. Not there for her to consult with about this situation, so she made the decision to say "Yes, they could have it". When I found out, it was way after the fact and it was already gone. It was not a huge thing in the greater scheme of life, but still, I teased her about giving it away cause I loved it so. I would have loved to have had it. She didn`t think about that, and truthfully, I was a young married bride and probably had no room for it. But still, I liked to tease her from time to time about giving away my record player.

One Christmas morning after Mother and Papa got to our house with gifts to share, she was beaming when she handed me my gift from them. As I opened it, I could see why. She had found a small version of the record player and it played just like the big one did. The sound is exactly the same. She was so proud of herself for pulling that off and told me that I didn`t have to wish for that old one any more! Sweet Mother!! That was such a special and thoughtful gift and still means a lot to me. Not only is it beautiful and plays beautiful, but it represents all the goodness that God gave my Mother. Thoughtful, thinking of others... always.

Now as I listen to that music from the record player at this Christmas season, it brings a warmth to my heart. It reminds me of that Christmas many years ago and how she gave me this gift of love. Sound familiar? As we celebrate Christmas, it is a reminder of that special Christmas day many, many years ago, when God gave us that special gift of love, His son Jesus.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Miss Snowman

2011-12-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today, I finished up this cute litte snowman for a special order t-shirt. I love how sassy and fun she is especially with her leopard scarf! Thanks to Oh So Oxford, for their precious designs.
http://www.facebook.com/AppliqueExpress?sk=wall

Also did some precious reindeers from Oh So Oxford. They do awesome designs!!

Pop, Wow!

2011-12-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

This morning, I went to my hair salon for an early appointment and as I walked into the front door, I spotted these beautiful arrangements around the room. I just love the look of them. One of their customers had actually come in to decorate the whole studio and it looked so beautiful. Huge wreaths hung above the desk area and they looked great. I always like to spot one "Wow" factor when I am decorating my house, in my mind, and when I walked in this morning to my studio, my eyes were immediately drawn to these large floor arrangements. For sure, they would be "wow" factors to have in your room. Come to find out, the lighted sprigs came from Bed, Bath and Beyond. You can even use your 20% off coupon and get a great deal there. I had to come home to get my coupons cause I hate to go there without them. Hope to make one of these for my own home, if time permits!

Humility

2011-12-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

Well, today, I got a lesson in humility. Yes, seems as God has a sense of humor with me today.... As I got out of the car, ready to go into church, I looked down and realized that I had put on my brown skirt instead of my black one. They are just alike, both long jersey knit, dark skirts. They fit the same and in the dim light in my closet, I guess they looked the same. Funny thing is, I even glanced in my mirror as I put on my BLACK sweater, BLACK shoes and pulled out my BLACK purse to take. How might you think, could I walk through the house, get in the car and not realize? My only excuse is that I am getting old, blind, and have a husband who doesn`t really notice things like that. He even went to work last week with two different shoes on!! He offered to take me back home, once I realized my dilema, but that would have made us late so I sucked it up and went in. All the time walking in, saying that it was teaching me a lesson, no one would notice and if they did, it didn`t really matter. We were going to church to hear the sermon, not be concerned about what we wear.....
So, I went to church, even went out to eat afterwards, with my mismatched outfit on. All the time, I could imagine God with a slight smile on His face, knowing He was trying to show me something and wondering if I would get it. Well, I do get it.... We have been talking about how God doesn`t look at the outside, but He sees our inside.... Just made that seem a bit more real today. It literally doesn`t matter what we wear on the outside, what the world sees us wearing, it is what is inside our heart that matters.
Now.... I am not the fashion queen by any means, but when I leave the house, I usually feel confident that I look presentable to some degree, in my mind anyway. Who knows what the people that I come in contact with think?!!! But today, it made my outfit seem a little less important, and what I am doing for God on the inside that counts. Ok, lesson learned. Now hopefully, I will not be learning that again by wearing mismatched clothes!!

What are our gifts to lay before the King?

2011-12-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

As I was sitting in my CBS leadership this week, our prayer chairman had the best devotion for us. She has been on a journey these last two years, that few can even imagine, among our group. She lost her husband and was left to raise three children alone. I say alone, but not true at all. She has today, and had with her husband, the assurance of the Lord, leading and guiding her and her family. What faith, what trust.... that is what it is all about after all. She inspires all who hear her each week and this week was no exception. She was talking about Advent.... meaning waiting........ anticipation..... for Christ`s return. She quoted the song, "The Little Drummer Boy" and we listened to the words, really listening......

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

"Our finest gifts we bring? that are fit to lay before the King?"
What are our gifts to lay before the king?
What do we give?
What part of our hearts can we give?
Our love? Our time? Our conversation?
These gifts, that don`t cost us anything,
bring blessings unlimited..
In this busiest time of the year, we search for the perfect gift
It is our quest to find the perfect gift,
but if we have Jesus, we already have the perfect gift.
Don`t leave Him out of this most special time of year.
Don`t let them take Him out of Christmas.

Next time we see someone who needs a smile, or a kind word, or a listening ear or a hug, remember those gifts that we can give and willingly lay them before our King...

Call on the scripture at any time...

2011-12-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

I came across this list of times to call upon the Lord through His word, and printed it to save. Thought I would share it.......................

When there is sorrow…Call John 14

When men fail you…Call Psalm 27

If you want to be fruitful…Call John 14

When you have sinned…Call Psalm 51

When you worry…Call Matthew 6:19-34

When you are in danger…Call Psalm 91

When God seems far away…Call Psalm 139

When your faith needs stirring…Call Hebrews 11

When you are lonely or fearful…Call Psalm 23

When you grow bitter or critical…Call 1 Corinthians 13

For Paul’s secret of happiness…Call Colossians 3:12-17

When you feel down and out…Call Romans 8:31-39

When you want rest and peace…Call Matthew 11:25-30

When the world seems bigger than God…Call Psalm 90

When you want Christian assurance…Call Romans 8:1-30

When you leave home for labor or travel…Call Psalm 121

When you prayers grow narrow and selfish…Call Psalm 67

For a great invitation and opportunity…Call Isaiah 55

When you want courage for a task…Call Joshua 1

How to get along with fellow men…Call Romans 12

When you think of investments and returns…Call Mark 10

If you are depressed…Call Psalm 27

If your pocketbook is empty…Call Psalm 37

If you are losing your confidence in people…Call 1 Corinthians 13

If people seem unkind…Call John 15

If you are discouraged about your work…Call Psalm 126

If you find the world growing small and yourself great .....Call Psalm 19

Winner

2011-11-29T16:55:00.000-08:00

Winner announced for the 25 day giveaway.......Bridget Merker
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Dollar Store centerpiece

2011-11-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

Last year I spotted these mirrored Christmas trees at the Dollar tree Store. They had the mirrored ones and some multi colored ones, but I really liked the mirror ones. I grabbed three of them and set them aside for later. This year as I was getting my Christmas things out, I found them and decided to try a different look for the dining room table. I found some clear candlesticks to put them on at different heights. The trees are hollow inside so they it down nicely on them. I had some garland of clear crystals that I put around them. A few whimsical angels, a silver reindeer and some candlesticks, and it was ready to set the table around. I pulled out my black tablecloth for my first pre Christmas dinner. I think I will like the simple look of it for this year.

Linen wreath

2011-11-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

I have had the best time this fall, getting to play around on pinterest! It has fast become a favorite thing to do when I sit down at night. Several weeks ago, I found this wreath on there and have been waiting to try it out. I got the foam wreath frame and wrapped it before Thanksgiving, hung it up in the hall and proudly showed all those who walked by it. It has visions in my mind what else had to be done. Today, as I was getting my Christmas boxes down from the attic, the urge to finish up the wreath hit. I found the pictures that I wanted to use, printed them on the textured scrapbook paper that I had already gotten and cut them out. Tied them to some jute cords and hot glued them on the top by the ribbon. I bought some satin cream ribbon to hang mind up with , also found a pick with lime green glittered leaves and accents that I really liked.
After I finished it, I took it to the dining room and hung it on the mirror. I can now, walk by and look at the finished product and it is a good thing!!

Thanks to http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/
for her tutorial about this project. Love her blog, www.dearlillieblogspot.com

Merry Christmas thoughts on notecards

2011-11-25T11:26:00.000-08:00

Now with Thanksgiving over, Christmas is in full swing. Thoughts of staying in touch with family and friends are in the air. I have some new note cards with that in mind. Love to create these little characters.

Christmas music box

2011-11-25T06:14:00.000-08:00

When I was going through Mother`s things, trying to pack up her things, finding new homes for as much as I could, I came across her Christmas music box that she had made. She took ceramics for years and gave us all many beautiful things she made over the years. This particular piece was one of my favorites. It took her weeks to finish it and when she did finish, she was so proud of it. She had taken so much time with the details of the little faces and it was so pretty. The children looked like little hummel people, all holding hands around the lone Christmas tree. The top spins around very slowly as it plays a sweet song. I was excited when I found it, packed it up and put it away for this Christmas.
A few days ago, I came across it while looking for something else. I pulled it out, still remembering when she first showed it to me and how she always
loved pulling it out at her house. Now, it is on my coffee table in the den, resting with the tree in the background, for me to look at all the time. It will always be special to me, always will bring memories of her back to me when I look at it. I will always make me feel a bit closer to her, with this music box in my house.
Merry Christmas Mother. What a picture to think about you celebrating Christmas with Jesus this year!

Our Thanksgiving prayer today

2011-11-24T21:21:00.001-08:00

Dear Lord,
Today as we remember our last Thanksgiving, we come to you with thankful hearts.
The memory of last year with Mother with us, is so fresh,
With heads bowed in her den,
we gave thanks for our blessings then. A year later on this special
day, we give thanks again, for all you have blessed us with.
Our incredible journey over this last year and the 5 months before,
could only have been possible with You leading us.
Everything she held dear in this world, is right here in this room,
with the exception of Katie and Kevin and their families. We thank you for our family,
for Mother and Daddy who created our family, for Papa being our other Daddy
when he married Gaga, for the extended family members
who have been added through marriage
and for all these grandchildren that she loved dearly
and now, great grandchildren joining us to be part
of our family. We ask for your continued blessings
over all of us and we thank you for our journey, for all of our parents
and for all the other family members and friends who are
celebrating with You today. We pray for those who are away from their families,
for those who are having a first Thanksgiving without a loved one
, for all the men and women who are at war, fighting for our freedom,
May your blessings be showered down on them all today so they can feel
Your presence in their lives.
Thank you for our time together, thank you for this food
and most of all, Lord, we thank You for the hope that we have in You.
In Your most Holy name,
Amen

Tradition passed down?

2011-11-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been almost a year since I lost my Mother to pancreatic cancer. Hard to realize it has been that long cause some days, it seems like yesterday when she was here with us. It has taken us about that long to completely go through her things at her house. My son and wife have moved into her house so we have tried to get it cleared out, in the main rooms anyway. This last week, we finished one of the last rooms, her office.

It was a hard thing to do cause so much of her life was spent in that little room, tucked into the basement. She had a little business where she fixed wedding invitations with her dried flowers. It was in that room in the basement that she created and made her invitaions. She collected flowers everywhere. Even was known to stop on the side of the road to pick queen Anne`s lace. All of the grandchildren remember on trips with her, stopping to pick her pretty flowers. She would always carry a book in her car so she could press the flowers when she would find them.

She had one of her framed invitations in a little shop here in town and would get orders from time to time. Most of the time, it was word of mouth business that she got from repeat customers. Our friend who owns the shop , Village Press in Mountain Brook, called me the other day to let me know of a request she had. One of her customers had seen the invitation in her shop and wanted to order one. So, Patsy asked me if I would be interested in doing it. She knew that I had helped Mother in the past, especially when she was so sick and could no longer do it herself.

When we cleaned out Mother`s office, I brought another box of her things home. I have so many boxes already but there are just things that I cannot get rid of yet. The newest box, including the dried flowers that she had all pressed, ready to use, made it to my garage where I went through it and found spots for each thing. Tonight, after spending much time dreading it, I got it all out. Dreading is a strong word, so I guess I wasn`t really dreading as much as worried about how I would feel doing it. But I got it all out and got the flowers glued onto the invitation. Tomorrow, I will get it framed then delivered. As I was doing it, I couldn`t help but think how glad she would be that was attempting to carry on her tradition of doing this unique gift for soon to be brides. I was able to do it, not being sad, but just thankful. Thankful of having my Mother for all those years and thankful for her legacy that she left.

She started making these invitations in 1974, the year that I married, so you see, she had quite the collection of materials to use. I enjoyed doing this tonight and was grateful that I had been given the opportunity all those times, to watch her as she worked, to help her get her flowers and to learn her skill. But most of all, it made me feel a bit closer to her, knowing we shared this tradition, this love of pressed flowers.

This was the one she had done years ago, on display at Village Press.

This is the one I did tonight for my first order! I will staple it into the frame tomorrow. I will be thinking now, if this is something that I might be able to do and take over the tradition.....

Christmas at the Caroline House

2011-11-16T19:55:00.000-08:00

Tonight I went to an annual Christmas celebration at one of our local churches in Birmingham, Christmas at the Caroline House. I had invited my friend, Pam, to go with me and it was a great night to start off the holidays. We had a light dinner, then watched the ballet girls perform, heard a good speaker then loaded up on the shuttles to take us to the top of the hill to tour the house. It was absolutely beautiful, each room done by a different decorator and each area had it`s own look. We went crazy taking pictures with our phones. Our comment to each other was that it looked like a Pinterest House. So many great ideas , just like we see on Pinterest. So, I thought I would share a few of them.

How fun is this donut tree for the kitchen?!!

Advent calendar made from a few pieces of thin wood, tiny envelopes and tiny clothespins. Of course the best part is the surprise you put in the envelopes!

This was so pretty walking into the kitchen. Lots of clear balls, hanging from the island lights. Gorgeous!

Felt wreath added some fun color to this room

This is a craft that I did growing up but these were some of the prettiest ones I have seen. they sprayed them gold and silver with a bit of sparkle..

A cool dried flower topiary

Music Art

2011-11-12T17:49:00.000-08:00

As I was going through my Mother`s things after she passed away last December, I found stacks of sheet music for the piano. I was just holding onto it as I have been with lots of other things from her house, and decided to share . I have tried to find new homes for many things and these music pages were the next step to that. I took them to my ladies art class and last week, we all had a good time, picking some pages out to use as our new project. We painted a canvas board then mod podged the sheet music on top of the canvas. Some of us used a whole sheet, others used more of a collage look but we all had our boards ready to do some creating.

We had a spend the night party at one of our art ladies lake house last Thursday night and took our art supplies with us to finish working on our projects. It was so fun to see what every one did with their canvases. Some picked out music with familiar words in the title to use. Others found titles with the name of a granddaughter in it, and used a picture of her on it to paint.

I decided to do a red bird on one of mine and of course, I used my favorite subject, angels, to paint of the other one.

After I had finished these up, still had a bit of time before bed, so I did a ballerina, not on music, just on the canvas. She is a bit sassy with cowboy boots on! JoAnne suggested that she wear them and I kind of like the look!

We finally headed to be around midnight. Our hostess, Anna, had thought of everything for us. We each had our own beds upstairs. They had 4 bedrooms with enough beds for each of their families when they come with all the grandchildren. She had cleared out the sun porch and set up tables with newspaper and paper towels and plates. It felt like we were on an expensive art retreat! Lots of good food to be eaten but most of all, lots of good friends to enjoy the night with .

Headbands

2011-11-12T17:16:00.000-08:00

I found this great tutorial for headbands recently. I finally found some time last week to try some of them out. They are really easy and so cute. Looking forward to giving some away for Christmas.

Thanks to Happy Together, for her great tutorial on her blog.

http://www.happytogethercreates.com/2011/07/double-sided-fabric-headband-pattern.html

After finishing up the headbands, I got some new bows ready for our show this weekend. Lots of different color combinations for these fun bows..

Tulle wreaths

2011-11-10T05:05:00.000-08:00

I was making a wreath, in my mind, to have for the door this weekend for a show I am in. I went to Hobby Lobby and just kind of developed the look from what I saw there. I wanted to use tulle but thought it might be kind of expensive to get enough to go all the way around the wire frame, but..... as I was looking around, I saw some that caught my eye. It was in the Christmas section and all the Christmas ribbon and lots of other Christmas items, were on sale 50% off. I found a huge roll of 100 yards of tulle, for 9.99, which meant $5.00 for 100 yards! They only had hot pink, red, white and black but I grabbed some of the pink and red, got my wire frame and some accent ribbon to tie it up with . Then I found some really cute pom pom picks to add to the top to give it that whimsical look.

First I cut strips of the ribbon, about 10-12 inches long and set them apart.

Then I took the roll of tulle, gathered it up like I was making a bow, about 4-5 inches for each loop, did 6 or 7 loops on each side and tied it in the middle with the already cut ribbon.

I put 2 "bows" in each section of the wire frame, fluffed the tulle out and was on my way.

I was excited with the finished look and it only cost me about $13! I finished the red one and went on to start the pink one. Well, I couldn`t leave it not finished, so this is the finished pink and lime wreath.
Have fun trying your own look out!

There is no greater love....

2011-11-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

Recently, I found a blog by a young girl. This is what she says in her bio.
I'm Lorelie. 17 years old. Februay 1, 1994. Filipina. I Am a Child of God, and that is my significance. This place is where I testify God's goodness in my life. Smile, God loves Us! :] ----------------♥-------------- 1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ----------------♥-------------- Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. ----------------♥-------------- Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ----------------♥--------------

WOW!! I thought, as I read her blog and the posts that she has on there. What a testimony to her faith and how bold an influence she is having daily on all who follow her. I wanted to share some of her posts and hope they mean as much to you as they did to me when I came across them. Great way to start the day!

Coupon Cabin Hop ICoupon Cabin's 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz I Win 15" Metal Letter

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz! This multi-blog event is hosted by Simply Stacie, Makobi Scribe and Sassy Mama in LA and is sponsored by CouponCabin. This is the biggest event the blogosphere has seen with over 400 giveaways each at $25 value or more plus a huge giveaway with some major prizes like a MacBook Air, iPad2 & Visa Gift Cards. You can find all the giveaways from the participating blogs by visiting the host blogs, Simply Stacie, Makobi Scribe and Sassy Mama in LA. Each host blog will feature a different set of giveaways for you to enter!

No matter what type of coupon you're looking for, you'll find it and over 100,000 others at CouponCabin.com, a leading destination for coupon codes, printable coupons, deals and more. Now with a new and improved grocery coupons section and the largest selection of coupon codes that are guaranteed to work, CouponCabin is the best place to start your search for savings. This holiday season, CouponCabin is dedicated to making holiday savings as easy as pie by bringing you the best deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can also download our CouponDetector and we'll let you know when the site you’re shopping has coupons and deals available. Never pay full price again with help from CouponCabin.com!

CouponCabin is giving away the following fabulous prizes:

Grand Prize: MacBook Air (11-inch, 128GB; ARV $1,199)
2nd Runner Up: iPad2 (16GB, with Wi-Fi +3G; ARV $629) & $200 Visa Gift Card
3rd Runner Up: iPad2 (16GB, with Wi-Fi +3G; ARV $629)
4th Runner Up: $300 Visa Gift Card
5th Runner Up: $200 Visa Gift Card
6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Runner Ups: $100 Visa Gift Card each

Please visit Simply Stacie, Makobi Scribe and Sassy Mama in LA to enter the giveaway and make sure to say (insert blog name) referred you! You can enter on all three sites or just one- it’s up to you! If you enter all three giveaways that just means more chances for you to win.

My giveaway sponsor is PD Piddles ! I've been a fan of PD Piddles for a couple of years now and own a few pieces of their metal art.
Here's a little more info about PD Piddles:
PD Piddles has one of the largest collections of unique metal art that enhances your home decor or adds some style to your yard or they make great gift ideas. Check them out today!
Giveaway Prize

PD Piddles is giving away a hand crafted beautiful metal letter made of galvanized metal painted with vinyl dots and measures 15" tall (ARV $34.99) to one lucky reader! This is one of the most popular items!

The giveaway ends on November 25, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected at random and have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Good luck!

Enter the other blogs' giveaways in the CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz by visiting the links below! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below Duplicate entries will be invalid. The only requirement entry is to provide your name/email and to follow our blog via Google Friend Connector.

halloween 2011

2011-10-31T20:13:00.000-07:00

Well, Halloween 2011 has come and gone. It started early this afternoon as I went to Tommy and Rebecca`s house to meet up with them. Heston was already dressed in his Green Lantern costume and ready to go to the parade. They live so close to the little down town part of Crestline so we just walked. It was kind of like taking a step back in time, to see this parade with all the floats and the cars, throwing out candy, toys, and moon pies! When the parade was over and people were clearing out, that is when the fun continued for Tom and Heston. They went in the streets, looked closely to see what treasures were left untouched by others. Heston ran back to show us the stash. He had found silver fake coins and thought he hit the jackpot! He lined them up on the sidewalk to count them out. Then we walked back to their house, regrouped and headed down the street to the block party. They had a huge truck blocking the street and tons of people out eating preordered pizza. I went back to their house to answer the door as they took Heston up the street to trick or treat. He had enough after about 30 minutes, and wanted to come back home but not before he had his bucket filled again!
Rebecca had carved the most intricate pumpkin for their porch. She was going to do a super hero, which Heston loves them all, but at the last minute, he requested her to do a pirate. She did a great job.

For the first time ever, I had left my house dark, for Halloween as I left to go there. I was thinking on the way home of Halloweens past, lots of activity at our house, getting ready as we ate chili, then all the trick or treaters. Then.... the kids getting back home and dumping their candy out on the floor and dividing up what they liked and giving away what they didn`t want. If I think back a really long time ago.... I remember as a child, going out and it being cold. Mother would make us come in and drink soda water. Not the canned soda but water with soda in it!! She said it would help us from getting colds! But the good part of that, for some reason even though we would bring in lots of candy to eat, she always had oatmeal cookies, fresh baked, ready for us when we got in!

happy halloween...

It is soooo beginning to look like Christmas!

2011-10-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

There is a chill in the air. Christmas trees are all lite up in the stores and the feeling of Christmas is just around the corner. As soon as Halloween is over and November is here, it will sneak up on us in a hurry.
In getting ready for a few fall shows, I have been going through some new cards, printing and having them ready to package. I thought I would do one with a saying that we are very familiar with here in the south,
Merry Christmas, Ya`ll"!!

Even had a fun time getting this little houndstooth elephant ready for the season with his holly!

Also working on some new head bands that I will post soon. They are such fun to mix and match the colors and patterns of fabrics...
Happy Halloween, see you in November!

2011-10-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to a visitation for a beautiful and talented young lady, Rachel Ward, who was killed last Sunday in a car accident. Her Mother was in my Bible Study last year so many of us from our group met there to see Melinda. I have never seen so many people coming to a visitation. When you entered the church, the crowds wrapped down the halls, turned the corner and still filled another hallway. It was moving so slow, that we didn`t even get to speak to Melinda because the time was running out. I had to sign the book and leave, hoping to be able to speak tomorrow when we go back for the service. But, as I am there, in the hall, looking at all the pictures of Rachel, listening to a recording of her singing songs she had written, it is so hard to know what to think... So sad, for the family, so sad that Rachel will not be able to live all her dreams, but in the midst of these feelings, so encouraged by how her family is standing firm. Standing firm in their faith, in their knowledge of where Rachel is. There it is again, that hope that we have in Christ of where our salvation is.

I loved the poem they had on the back of the program. It speaks so clearly and what a picture.....

I`m Free

Don`t grieve for me, for now I`m free, I`m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play. tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life`s been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one`s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief, Don`t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.

DIY Burlap sign

2011-10-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Football burlap, DIY project for any sport.
Of course, I would choose the RTR for Bama but loved this tutorial that she has come up with to make these precious door hangings. You could do any school, any color.

Go to Casey's blog, liveloveloft.blogspot.com, and check out her tutorial! It is adorable. She also has an upcoming tutorial on how to make a headboard out of an old door.

Have Fun!!

DIY projects

2011-10-18T13:17:00.001-07:00

Here's a great way to save some money on your craft addictions; make you own Mod Podge! And it really works plus it's easy to do.

I found this through Pinterest, (which I love!!) on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Do-It-Yourself-Divas/244015958978001

You need....

A jar
Elmers Glue
Water

Empty the glue into a jar. This jar is just an old Salsa Bottle.

Add Water. You need it to be 50% glue and 50% water.

Shake shake shake

And you are done!!
It could make a great gift for your crafting buddies

New craft room

2011-10-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

I have been having the best time looking around on Pinterest! I have been inspired to do a room do-over for my computer room upstairs. When the kids were home, it was a bedroom. Then as they boys left and I realized I had an extra bedroom, I used it as my computer/sewing room. It was nothing special to look at, just a room where I went to sew when I needed to. The computer didn`t even still work in there!

And then... pinterest came into my life!! I started seeing all these wonderful craft rooms that people had and it inspired me to come up with a plan. The plan took a bit of time, trying to figure out the main color scheme. One day, it all clicked. I was at Home Depot, and looking at paint samples, I spotted some Disney cards with different themes and colors. The High School Musical one popped out at me and those pretty color combinations. I wanted pink for the accent color, I knew that, but they had used a pretty teal, lime green, pink. I loved it!! I added a touch of black to mine too. It is all painted now, and I love the blue color. I used an old brass chandalier, spray painted it black and hung it for the light. Still have to get the curtains hung and an old mirror that I distressed is waiting to be hung. But you can see where I am going with everything when you walk in. Here is just a preview until I get other pictures taken, of what it is looking like.

In this picture, I took an old bulletin board, stapled this fabric all around the edges, with the ends folded under. It really makes a statement with this bold fabric. I used this board as a display to hang some of my art. I had enough fabric left over to cover a small little chest that I will use in there. I am excited to have it all done real soon and to be able to go up there to work.

Hair adornments

2011-10-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with some ideas for fancy hair clips. My dining room table is loaded with fabric, lace, ribbons, newly constructed rosettes, feathers, jewels and just a lot of other "stuff".

My sweet husband has been very patient with me this last week. We are having some work done in our bedroom and most of the bedroom furniture is actually in the dining room. So you see, all of my craft stuff on the dining room table doesn`t really seem very important compared to all the other big furniture all around the room! I am in trouble when we have to move it back into the bedroom and my table is visible with my crafts on it!! Maybe I have another day or two before that happens....

My friend, Pam, and I have been talking about these clips for some time now. She bought a really pretty one for her daughter in law to wear in her wedding. After looking all around and finally finding what she wanted, she realized that this was a need out there for brides. Not many to choose from.... so it made us start thinking...

Here is the first finished product, not a great picture but you can kind of tell the look we are going after.

This one actually has three rosettes on it and a bit of vintage lace to one side. I found a sweet little crystal button to put onto the middle to finish it up. These are especially fun for me to create because it gives me a project to use some of my Mother`s old lace and fabric. She had a whole room just for her sewing and crafts in her basement. When she died last year, it all became mine to go through. Well, I haven`t gotten to the point where I can give much away so I brought lots of boxes home with me. Little by little, I am going through her treasured things and trying to use some of the lace on special projects. She would have loved for us to be able to use her beautiful lace. I found some feathers to use to give it a bit of a whimsical look then glued the back on. It is all ready for that special occassion for someone to enjoy.

Recycled Boards from the trash!

2011-10-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

I was in Home Depot the other day and walked by the wood area. As I glanced into the big trash bin, in with all the trash were all these little square pieces of wood about 6x6. I asked the guy in that department when I finally found someone, if he would care if I got them out of the trash can. He told me that he didn`t have problem with it at all but I should just go to the check out counter with Elba, and tell her that he said it was alright.....So, I pulled out about 13 perfect little squares, not knowing exactly what I was going to do with them, but excited all the same to have gotten them for free...
This afternoon, I pulled some of them out and started sanding.

Then I gave the wood blocks a good base coat of white acrylic paint. I put a little color on them and then gave some heavy brush strokes of white in the middle of each one. By then, they were beginning to take on a little shape and I could visualize the finished product. I added some little flesh heads, put the features on the faces then topped them off with some halos.

I think I will mod podge these little pictures and stick them away for Christmas! It was a fun afternoon with my little angels.

Tutus and bows!

2011-09-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

My sister`s little granddaughter turned 3 today. We wanted her to have a special t-shirt to wear for her big day, so we found the perfect applique from Applique Boutique, and some zebra fabric then we were ready to get it stitched out. I had made a tutu, out of hot pink tulle and it matched perfectly so I gave Adelyn the tutu to go with her birthday shirt. I was going to finish off her outfit with a fancy bow, but heard that she was going to wear pigtails.... that opend the door to make not just 1 bow but 2! I found some zebra ribbon, tied the center with a bit of hot pink tulle and finished it off with a big crystal. She was the star of her big birthday party at the park!

Old door made into king size headboard

2011-09-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

Just recently, my best friend from High school,Pam, and her husband,Bill, moved back to Birmingham from Lexington. I had heard about Bill`s handyness all these years but haven`t witnessed first hand what he can do. It all started when I went to their new house to see the beautiful white bookcases he built for their sitting room, Gorgeous! When Pam and I went to lunch one day, she spotted this antique store with tons of old doors propped against the carport wall. We checked them out after lunch and she found one that she really liked. "Really Pam?" "a head board out of that old blue door?!!" It was her vision and not really a vision that Bill had at that time..... But as the days went by, I think he became a bit more inclined to see what she saw in her mind. They bought the door, took it home where much sanding was done.

At last the true image of that beautiful old door was starting to show through. The sanding, putting the top molding on and finally the staining was really paying off.

Once it was finished, the frame was bolted on and it has a place of honor in the guest room. It ended up being the size of a kind size mattress. It looks beautiful. Job well done, Pam and Bill!!

A smile

2011-09-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

I came across a piece of paper this morning as I was picking up some things in my kitchen, that I had saved. It is a notebook page, yellowed with age, that my grandmother had written on. Months ago, I found the same saying, written in my Mother`s handwriting, in her Bible. This must have been the origin of her thoughts. It is a great reminder of how a simple smile can make a difference.

Have a great day!!

Little River Canyon day trip

2011-09-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

My son and wife have bought some property near Little River Falls, 5 acres to play on last year. Yesterday they called me early, with my husband out of town, to see if I wanted to ride with them up there to see it for a last minute day trip. Well, I had to think just a minute cause after all, I am still getting over knee surgery. I didn`t want to slow them down on their adventure, so I said I would call him right back. I jumped in the shower and started to get ready after a few minutes of thinking what a nice day it would be, and called to say that I would be there in a few minutes. After all, I don`t get the chance to spend the whole day with them AND my grandson, Heston, that often. They are both busy working and then weekends come and go with busy things to do, so this was the perfect time to just drop everything at home and head out.

We went to their property first, hiked a bit around, then I let them hike down the property to the waterfall with a small cave. Heston loves to go there and tell Indian stories with them. It is a bit hard to get down there, sitting and just moving slowly down the mountain side, but when you get there, it is so well worth the time it took you to get there. The sights you see looking into the valley are just spectacular. The cave is pretty neat too, imagining all the activities that must have taken place there at one time long ago.

We hiked down, just a bit, to the Little River Falls, a short drive from their property, to have a picnic lunch. The water was low but still so pretty . Lots of people were out enjoying the views on that beautiful Sunday afternoon. We then headed to Mentone, another short drive, to walk around the little town. It is a small town, with lots of little shops and even an ice cream shop that Heston enjoyed. The Inn there in town was built in 1884 and still open. By the time we had done that walking, it was time to head home. We had about an 1 1/2 hour drive and Heston fell asleep about the time he hit the car sit.

It was a great day. I am so blessed to have my children close to us so we can enjoy these special days together. When I say close, I mean within driving distance. My daughter is settled in at Knoxville, with just a four hour drive separating us. That is much better than the 11 hours between Waco, Texas and Birmingham!! Our middle son and wife are here in Birmingham and we get to see them often. Life is good!!

Memories

2011-09-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

As I am going through some boxes in my garage looking for something the other day, I come across a box that I have brought home from Mother`s house. We have been through most of her things now and I have many boxes filled with her things in my garage and up in the bedroom closet. I know one day I will go through them again but for now, they are just piled up, waiting. Then I come to this particular box, unwrap some tissue paper and come across this old Christmas angel that Mother has had for years, probably since we were little girls. I unwrap her carefully as to not mess her up, and there she is.... just like I remember. She is musical and as I pull her close and twist her around I hear, "Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright....." It is at that moment, that I almost lose it.. Mother has been gone since Dec. 13, almost 9 months, and at certain times, it seems like yesterday. At other times, it seems like years since I have seen her. I always loved this angel, but now, as I have brought it home with me and it is mine, I love her so much more. She is filled with memories of Mother all around, from the gently stained little tulle skirt, the delicate little gold cording to the beautiful music that she plays... it all is a memory of my sweet Mother and in looking at it, in being in the room with this special Christmas angel, it just makes me feel a bit closer to her.

Blog hop

2011-09-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

Blog hops are something I am just discovering. Thankful for the hard work that goes into these blogs and the opportunities it gives us small blogs to get out there and be noticed. This is a great blog who does Friday blog hops, so I am pleased to be a part of this hop today....

http://artsynina.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-shop-hop-7.html

This is the card that I placed in her blog today. Love to check out all the other items that are being made....

Headbands

2011-09-11T22:49:00.000-07:00

I have been seeing all these tutorials for headbands so I just had to try my hands on a few. Sooo fun to do, with tons of possibilities.

A sweet friend just had a new baby, and while I was getting a few things made for the baby, I tried out a few color combinations to make a headband for big sister. Well, this particular little girl is turning 4 soon but she has THE most beautiful head of hair tha I have ever seen on a child that young. She had a head full of hair when she was born and it has grown fast since then! Her Mother is a photographer, Shooting Star, and took some great birthday pictures of little Kate, as she turns 4. One of them just happened to have my headband on her in so I have to share. I think I will be making more of these real soon.

Tutorial....
cut 3 inch circles, about 8, from one fabric
about 2.5 circles, maybe 8-10 from another fabric
cut two 2 inch circles of felt

fold one circle in half, dot of glue to hold (I used glue gun)
then half again, with a dot of glue... repeat until all circles are done
dot of glue on felt circle in the center and place one of the folded circles on it, continue until all 8 are around the felt to form a circle...
repeat with the smaller folded circles on top of the first layer.
Embellish the center when finished with a button, old piece of jewelry or a rosette out of ribbon, like I used. wrap a headband with the same ribbon as the center until the whole band is covered. take the other felt circle, glue on the back of headband where you want the flower to go, then glue the flower on the front side of headband, felt pieces together. enjoy!!

Basement redo

2011-09-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

After we went to our son`s house a few weeks ago, and saw his "Man Cave", as he calls it, that he and his wife have created, it has inspired me to fix up my basement. I actually had his wife`s old cream sofas in our garage and they said we could have them, no room at their house for them, so that started the whole process. Moved the old ones out on Sunday, Good Will was already scheduled to come on Monday, so they just took them off the next day. We pulled the old turned new for me, sofas in the room, rearranged a few things, pulled the sofas like an L shape with table in between them. They had an old brown leather ottoman, a rug they no longer needed and that was the new look. I got some quilted pillows at Home Goods, and found a really awesome, soft and fluffy brown quilt. As I was leaving the store with my sister, we spotted this really cool lamp for that sofa table....if you look really hard, in the far left side of the photo, you can spot it. It is kind of like three squares on top of each other but the cool part of them is the outside is kind of like grapevine , twisted around on it to make a neat design all around them.

Today, my son came back over to set up the tv that we got. He has gotten very good with all that stuff these last few years, and I know nothing about it, so I was very pleased to turn that task over to him. I had just finished painting an old dresser that we never really liked. With a fresh coat of black paint, I am really liking it now. We pulled it in the room to have something for the new tv to sit on. With that addition to the room, I think we just about have it all done. Just a few more little things, then the official Man Cave at my home will be ready!!

New fall t-shirts

2011-09-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

I just finished up some little boy t-shirts for a sweet friend of ours. She brought the shorts to match and 6 little white shirts. The hard part was deciding what I wanted to put on them, she had brought scraps of the pants too. But once that was done, it was fun to stitch them up for Mason to have for his big boy school this fall.

Couldn``t leave out Darth Vadar for little Hudson!!

Unexpected little gifts

2011-09-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

As I reflect on my summer, one hard thing was to say goodbye, once again, to my daughter. Just got her home from Baylor after graduation for a few weeks, then it was time to pack her up again. This time to Knoxville, not quite as far as Waco, Texas, but away from home just the same. I know it was a good thing, a normal thing to do after graduation and I am so very thankful for her job there in Knoxville. As her Mother though, I am now, a month later, missing her still. I am missing her coming in late at night, opening our bedroom door to say she was in. Missing her car pulling in the driveway after a night out. I am even missing the clothes on the steps waiting to go up to her room! When I wake up in the morning and come in the den, all the lights are off, the front porch light is off, the sink is empty of dirty snack dishes, the dirty clothes pile is empty from upstairs. You might think these are good things, but even so, just a reminder to me that she is gone. My baby girl, who I prayed for 22 years ago, has moved out and still hard to realize that has happened!!

With this in mind, I am trying not to be the overprotective Mother and calling her all the time to talk. I know she is 22, and can take care of herself. I am trying so hard to wait for her to call me. I know she is busy getting herself situated in her new lifestyle, and busy at work, so I just let her be the one to call when she has time, usually(!).

Out of the blue the other day, I got a text from her..... a simple little text, two silly words.... but it meant so much to me. A reminder that she does think about me every once in a while.... "Missing you" A sweet message from daughter to Mother that was an unexpected gift that day.
Today, I wake up with a sore throat, itchy when I swallow and believe it or not, a summer cold. So we stay home, watching church on tv. The phone rings at 8:30, early for a Sunday morning,and we usually wouldn`t have been here... It is Lara. She is on her way home from a weekend trip to Atlanta, and just wanted to talk. About 45 minutes later, we say our good byes, "I love you`s" and then she is gone, just like that. But what a special, unexpected little gift that was.

As I was reading a great devotion this morning, it was talking about the relationship between friends and how they change and grow. You can so easily use this same devotion, these same thoughts for relationships between daughter and Mother. It just jumped out at me as I was reading. I am at that point in our relationship where I need to give her room to grow and change as she is growing up into a mature adult. "love is not possessive." How true. This is what it said....

Healthy friendships are relationships where each person gives the other room to grow and change. Instead of possessing their friends, they encourage them to grow and change. Paul says it simply and clearly, “Love is not possessive” (I Corinthians 13:4). True friends give each other freedom. It is from that freedom that a deeper friendship, a healthier relationship will grow.

We both are in new chapters of our life. Trying to get use to being a little bit older for both of us. Lara, old enough to be out on her own. Me, old enough to have a daughter out on her own! But I have a feeling that we both will make it. As life goes on, I will just enjoy these little unexpected gifts that God continues to give me when I least expecct them.
I love you, baby girl!!

2011-09-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

Yea.... if you follow this link, you will find a super blog, Randomosity. She featured an article about us today.

http://randomosityblog.com/2011/09/gracie-and-co.html
Thanks, Sadie!!

Football season is here!!

2011-09-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

We are a house divided when football starts here in Alabama. Being the first day of the big games, we all met at Brent and Lacy`s house for the early games and to eat. When I say eat, I mean to stuff ourselves. There was food everywhere and it was all delicious! Now, most of the family are Alabama fans, but being the good hosts, Brent and Lacy let the Auburn fans go to the "Man Cave" downstairs, to watch the game. Now that the games are over, everyone is happy since we both won. Naps are starting to happen, a bit more eating desserts and basically just resting after the stress of the games.

I fixed Adelyn a new t-shirt to wear for her team. Love this new applique design from Meringue Designs. We had to do a bow to match with the pink theme instead of red. It has been a good day. Nice to be with family and friends!

Afternoon with Grammie

2011-09-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I picked up my little grandson, Heston, from his daycare, early afternoon, to spend the afternoon with. He was staying with us through dinner and bedtime. It has become our custom, all two times, to stop by the bakery in Homewood and get a treat after I pick him up. Last time we got him a special cookie, this time he spotted Superman cupcakes! So, that was his choice, since he is really into super heroes right now.

This particular bakery, has been in business for probably 70-80 years. My mother told us stories about how she always requested her birthday cake to come from Savages. She loved the lemon cake with strawberry filling that her Mother would order for her. We used to take my grandmother, Loisie, there with us for lunch. After Loisie died, Mother and I still would meet there for lunch and conversation. After Heston was born, and I would babysit him, the three of us would meet for lunch. Mother loved to go there and get the tomato aspic. I wasn`t too crazy about that, but she loved it. Last fall after she learned she had pancreatic cancer, her appetite was about gone. Nothing tasted good to her, but in the midst of all the sickness, even on our way home from chemo, she would mention that either the baked custard or tomato aspic would taste pretty good. Once we went there and got some to take home, she would only eat small bites of either one, but at least it sounded good to talk about it...

As soon as Heston and I walked in there yesterday, I spotted two ladies, one a bit older than me and her Mother... Just took me back and I wished Mother was there with us!!But, now, I move on to new traditions, with sweet memories of Mother and Loisie when we go there. New traditions with Heston and Grammie are being made. He loved the cupcake!! It was a fun afternoon! After we finished, he immediately wanted to come back to my house to play a new game we have created, "hand Pool". It is just as it sounds, without the pool sticks, just our hands!He thinks he is the champ and we give high fives each time a ball goes in. I think I may be remembered best from him when he is older, as his "hand pool" partner! Oh, the joys of being a grandmother!!

Good friends

2011-08-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we went to Atlanta to stay with some good, good friends, Bill and Vicki. They were such good hosts, we felt like we were in a Bed and Breakfast Inn! Had a great dinner out, home for dessert then talked late into the night. When we got up the next morning, Vicki had put on quite the spread for breakfast! It all looked so pretty and tasted great. As to not hurt her feelings, Tom and I cleaned our plates.

I had taken Vicki a special little gift that I had saved her from Mother`s things when we were going through them. I love to find new homes for her special things where I know they will be used. So, as Vicki opened her present, and saw the cream and sugar and yellow plate to match, she was so excited. Instead of putting it away to use later, she brought them out to use for breakfast. She even used the yellow plate to serve her toasted biscuits. Mother would have loved the fact that her pretty things are now a part of Vicki`s beautiful house.
What a great weekend!!

Pretty in Pink

2011-08-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

You can tell that I am a bit partial to pink! As I was at a baby shower this weekend in Atlanta for little Brooke Starr, it reminded me of the pink shower we had at my house a while back. I dug into my pictures and found these. It was a great party, celebrating the upcoming birth of my son`s good friend`s first baby girl.

Lots of pink around and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to make a diaper cake and find the perfect favors to give out to the guest as they were leaving. My thought is that you can`t have a party or gathering without a little something to give as the guests leave. It doesn`t have to be a big gift, just a little something to take away with them to remember the party.
I found these cute little white buckets at the Dollar store, 3 for $1.00, and got bunches of them. Used a Deco Pen from Michaels to write the baby`s name on them and filled them up with pink M&M`s. The pink flowers went in a clear vase, filled with the same pink M&M`s. We made the guest of honor a coursage out of baby socks and pinned it on as soon as she arrived.
Great memories for this special little girl`s baby shower.

Entertaining

2011-08-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

I love to entertain. I don`t really enjoy getting the house ready and cleaning but I love to plan what to have, set my table a few days early to enjoy and find the perfect flowers for the center piece. I have been wanting to have my Bible Study girls over before the summer was over and after realizing last week that it is almost gone, I had a very small window to plan my luncheon. So yesterday, I had 8 of my ladies over for lunch. It was a perfect day outside, and great to get together and catch up.

I think I get my love of setting a pretty table from my Mother. She was the queen of entertaining. She had so many different sets of dishes and cloths and napkins. You could always be sure that when you went to eat at her house, that the table would be set beautifully. She borrowed my black cloth for one of her luncheons and had her pretty white dishes spread around the table. It was one for the memory books that her friends still talk about today after all those years. So, when I spotted my black cloth in my drawer as I was deciding which to use, I pulled it out immediately and set it on the table. As we were going through her things last year to divide up, I brought those same white dishes home with me, knowing I would enjoy using them, just as she did. They were pulled out too and then, I added her large pink bowls to go on top. Perfect for the salad that I was planning to have. with the pink gerber daisies in the middle of the table, I was just about set.

As the ladies got to my house and we sat around the table, my heart smiled as I thought about Mother. How she would have loved to hear all about my luncheon after the ladies had left. She would have loved to hear how I set the table, what I used for the centerpiece and what I fixed for lunch. I felt like a part of her was with me as I used her pretty things. Still missing her but thankful that she is with me in so many ways and so many memories.

Thankful for her today, for what she taught me, for how she showed by example, for her love to entertain, for her love of friends and family and especially for her love of the Lord. Love you, Gaga!!

This is from another celebration we had this year, my sister`s 60th birthday surprise luncheon! Pink, once again, played a huge part in the decor!

Peach Meringue Pie

2011-08-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, my grandmother would make THE best peach meringue pie. She would roll out her own crust, mix the filing, but.... the best part to look at would be that mile high meringue! It was at least 3 inches high! My Mother could make meringue equal to my grandmothers for sure. But that is where that talent stopped! It is not because I don`t try... but mine starts out pretty then by the time it goes in the oven to brown and sits out a minute, it starts crying and pops all the air out! The good news is that it still tastes good just not quite as pretty!

I wanted to share her recipe and maybe if meringue beating is in your list of talents, you can whip up one of these peach pies that looks as good as hers did! Happy Cooking!!

Peach Pie
1/4 lb. WHIPPED butter
3 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
3 T flour
1 1/2 c. rip peaches, cut up
Cream butter and sugar, eggs and flour then add peaches, 1 tsp. vanilla.
Put in oven in unbaked crust, 425 for 10 minutes, 375 for 35 minutes, until browned. Whip egg whites for meringue with 2 T. sugar for each egg, a dash of cream of tartar, pour on top of cooked pie, run back in oven to brown.

Fall wreath

2011-08-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

I have been having such fun playing around on pinterest. It is addicting if you are not careful. I love all the big letters that people have used so I decided to try out a wreath, like the ones I have been seeing. I went to Michael`s yesterday, looking for a sort of evergreen wreath but they didn`t have anything like that, but I found a really pretty brown and light gold colored flowers around a small wreath. I really liked the colors, not too harsh or loud but it was a bit small by itself. So I went to the aisle with the grapevine wreaths and found the perfect back for my little wreath. It is real airy and I love the final look after combining the two. I had already gotten the letter at Hobby Lobby this week for $2.99 so I was ready to get home and mod podge that letter. I used some white with black dots on the scrapbooking paper that was half price this week. I mod podged that baby then stuck it on the wreath that I had wired together. It is all hung on my door, just in time for a luncheon that I am having today!

Tutus bow holders

2011-08-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

I got excited when I found a tutorial about making tutus. After gathering my tulle and satin ribbon and making one, I decided to try out the tutu bow holder. Haven`t really seen a tutorial for the one I had in mind, so I cut out patterns and found some foam core board and had it ready to start. I monogrammed a new font script letter that I had just gotten, onto some pink silk that I found in my stash from Mothers house. After a bit of embellishment and ribbons, I finished off the back with a piece of white felt to hid all the raw pieces. I am thinking they turned out pretty good for a first try. Of course I learned things that I will do differently next time but for now, these are ready to be packaged up and given to two new little baby girls to hang on their wall.

1500 fan Appreciation Auction and giveaway!!

2011-08-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am trying something new that I have seen many people do on their pages.... an auction. It should be a fun way to meet new people and to get some really nice things at a great price. I just put it together today and already have some great vendors participating. Come check us out on my facebook page and find some great new, talented people!

Therapy!!

2011-08-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

For the last three weeks, I have been at therapy for three times a week, at least 2 hours each time.I am recovering from knee surgery once again. This time a torn meniscus, much better than 12 years ago, a broken patella! Half way done, with three weeks left, I have found some sweet new friends. In the middle of the "pain", there is plenty of encouraging that they give so freely. Lots of laughter and smiles are always found once you enter the door and that is a good thing to enter into when you are not always feeling like smiling or laughing while doing the actual therapy! You kind of become like best friends for those few hours, talking about life. Last week, Anna shared with me a picture of her precious little boy, Hyde, with a cute monogrammed shirt on. I had to mention, of course, that I could do that for her if she needed another one down the road. Then... every so quietly, I added that I also have a note card business if they needed any. Well... Anna perked right up and said she had been looking for weeks for the perfect card to send out for thank you notes for Hyde`s 1st birthday party. We talked about what theme she was looking for and what colors she liked. Then as I left, the image was already in my mind of the animals I would use. So, after being proofed and ok`d, this is the finished product for little Hyde Thomas.
I am a real big preacher about how God sends us little silver lined gifts, when we least expect them, as we go through trials and just ordinary days. If we are too busy to recognize them, I can only imagine when we get to Heaven and God points over there to a huge stack of presents. He tells us that He gave them to us, but we were to busy to open and use. So, in the middle of this part of my journey of life, I have fully realized that He sent me to that particular therapy, and picked out those particular young ladies to help me and to encourage me as I heal. So, I thank you, God, for this huge gift you have given me, all wrapped up and already opened.... and for these three precious young ladies, right there in the middle of it all!

Alabama Storm t-shirts

2011-08-07T13:53:00.000-07:00

I still have some of the t-shirts that we did to benefit the Alabama storm vicitms. They come in youth and adult sizes. Please share this information to anyone you think may be interested. I am wanting to sell them all to give $5 of the sales of each shirt to benefit the victims.

I love you to the moon and back!

2011-08-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

My favorite thing to say to my grandson is "I love you to the moon and back" then to hear him say it back to me. Nothing like the sound of that little voice looking up at you, smiling, and saying "I love YOU to the moon and back!" I designed this little card, although it is a little girl (!) but it still has the same meaning!

Christmas in August?!!

2011-08-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

It can`t be time to be thinking about Christmas you might say, but.... it is coming!! Gotta get ready and in the Christmas spirit early to really enjoy the season. I am not rushing it, for sure I want to enjoy fall, football and Thanksgiving but leaving it in the back of my mind for now. Fun to get some new cards going. I will wait until at least October to get my Christmas music out in the card to listen to! These are some of the new cards going this year.

Don`t miss the little gifts

2011-08-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

I read this story about Beth Moore and was so moved by it that I wanted to share it on here. It really makes me wonder to myself, how many of these little gifts from God, opportunities, has He given to me that I didn`t see? I hope you enjoy ....

For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters.

This is one of her experiences:

April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville , waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you.

You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons, not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier.
His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt.. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones.

The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting.
Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport... An impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served up on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and moreoverwhelmed with a feeling for him.

Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man..

I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing.

I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. 'Oh, no, God, please, no.' I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, 'Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!'

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, 'Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane.' Then I heard it...'I don't want you to witness to him I want you to brush his hair.'

The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, 'God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man.'

Again, as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. 'That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair.'

I looked up at God and quipped, 'I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?

God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: 'I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works.' (2 Timothy 3:17)

I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, 'Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?'

He looked back at me and said, 'What did you say?'

'May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?'

To which he responded in volume ten, 'Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that.'

At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, 'SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR? At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Long Locks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, 'If you really want to.'

Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, 'Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush.'

'I have one in my bag,' he responded.

I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while.

The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's.

I slipped the brush back in the bag and went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knee and said, 'Sir, do you know my Jesus?'

He said, 'Yes, I do'

Well, that figures, I thought.

He explained, 'I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior.' He said, 'You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open- heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride.'

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance.This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it.

Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft.

I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing.

Why did you do that? What made you do that?

I said, 'Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!'

And we got to share.

I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted, you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation.
Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!

I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way... all because I didn't want people to think I was strange.

God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me.

Peach Banana Nut Muffins

2011-07-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

I was in a hurry the other night and looking for something to make for dinner for a bread. I don`t always have bread but for this night, I was kind of hungry for some. I found a banana nut muffin mix in my pantry so I pulled it out. Looking at my counter with all those fresh peaches lined up, I picked up a few on them and cut them up to add to the mix. They were yummy!! They almost tasted like a peach cobbler, sort of, but really good. I would definately cook them again!

I love fresh peaches! My Grandmother use to make the best peach meringue pie. It was a cooked crust with a peach filling then what we called "the mile high" meringue! It was a sight to behold and I can never in a million years measure up to that meringue that she made!!

So, as I write this,it is making me want one! I am thinking I may go into the kitchen and get one of those peaches, peel it, cut it, put it in the bowl, get a spoon and come in the den to sit down and enjoy my midnight snack!! I love summer!!

Walking through the flames

2011-07-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

I read the best devotion this morning about walking through trials in our lives. We all have them. Some trials are harder than others but one thing is the same.... Our God is with us through each step.
This last year in my life, many trials were with my family. With Papa being so sick and in the nursing home, then Mother finding out she had pancreatic cancer. He passed away in September then the next 3 months we spent loving on Mother until she, too, went home to be with the Lord. There were so many times during this journey, that were almost unbearable at night when my head would hit the pillow. But always, knew the Lord was with us, and that was the hope that got us through each day. I remember telling Mother one day when she felt so bad that I wished I could take all the pain and sickness away, we were praying for God to give her that healed body with us, but we know also, that He may be planning to give her that perfect body with Him. She looked at me and nodded her head that she knew that too. Then we sat, holding hands, in her den, no words needed to be said at that point.
Her journey is over and she won that race of life and has her inheritence with Him in Heaven with that new and perfect body. Our journey still goes on without her. The days are getting easier, still missing her, but moving ahead. I come across a verse or a devotion that reminds me of her and our last year and it comes alive again. The hope, the assurance, the promise that He gives us that He is with us always. And that promise is all we need to hold onto as we run our own race and go through trials again. He is with us in good times and bad! Enjoy!!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2 NIV).

Friend To Friend
One of the most beautiful pictures of trusting in the sovereignty of God is in the story of three young Jewish men: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three lads refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. The punishment for such rebellion against the king was death in a fiery furnace. When the young men were taken before the king just before facing death, they respectfully explained:

The God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. (Daniel 3:17-18)
That is a faith that’s real – truly tried by fire. God can deliver me, but if He chooses not to, I’ll serve Him anyway. God can heal me, but if He doesn’t, I love Him regardless.

The young men were thrown into the furnace. Their refusal to bow to the King’s request infuriated Nebuchadnezzar. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie the young men up and toss them into the flames. The flames were so hot, the soldiers who took the bound boys to the furnace died in its heat. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked into the flames and the King stood by to watch.

“Didn’t we throw three men in the furnace,” the King asked in amazement.

“Look, I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25).

That was enough for the king to have a change of heart. He ordered the door opened, and the three young men walked out of that furnace without a singed hair on their heads or a hint of smoke on their clothes!

We can be sure of this, my friend - when walking through the fiery trials of life, we are never alone. Jesus is right there with us all the way. A little smoke and fire doesn’t bother Him one little bit.

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You that I never have to walk through the fiery trials of life alone. You promised that You will never leave me, and I cling to that truth today. Also, thank You for sending friends to walk through the flames with me! They are some of my most treasured gifts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Getting ready for some football really soon!!

2011-07-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

In preparation for football season, I have been working on some note cards for both of the rival teams here in Birmingham. Perfect for those little ones who are loving to write notes to friends and family members. In appreciation of almost 750 fans on facebook, I am having a special for the next few weeks, buy one of these get one for 50% off. Come to my facebook page and comment under the ones you want with your email. Thanks for your support

New Chapter is beginning for the Lazenbys

2011-06-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

This past year has been a year of many firsts for our family. We are still adjusting to life without our Gaga and Papa. We still miss them everyday but as we miss them, we remember. We remember all the memories of special events, special trips or get togethers, we remember just being with them and that makes us smile.
Today, marks another first. Our little girl, Lara, came into our lives 22 years ago, as a specific answer to prayer! On the day she was born, she was one loved and spoiled little girl, lots of attention and lots of love. That was then, and somehow, someway... 22 years have come and gone since that day. In May, she graduated from Baylor after 4 years out there in Texas. Then we brought her home for another short month. She was still recovering from her spring bout with mono so she did her fair share of resting and sleeping. But in between the sleep, the get togethers with friends, her Daddy and I had some special times together. We took a weekend trip to the lake and stayed in a light house. Went pontooning and jet skiing, ate pizza, got a little red and had a great time exploring a new area. The activities were just the fun things to do. The real memory of that weekend was the alone time we got to spend with just Lara.
Now, 5 weeks later, after all the NCIS, CSI and Disney reruns, it is time for this to come to an end. She is ready to move on to the next chapter.
Yes, today, we pack up the UHaul and head out to Knoxville where she will be at home there for a few years. She is going to be interning at a church there, Two Rivers, with the senior high pastor. We are all excited, especially her, for the opportunity this brings for her to be with the young people. God opened this door for her to share her love of senior high students there at this great church. She like them from the first interview that she had online then through all the conversations with the different staff , she grew to like them more.
I feel good about where she is going, about what she is going to be doing but once again, in a very short amount of time, my heart aches just a bit at the closure of her time at home. My little girl is all grown up, which I knew she would have to do one day, but I am left with the thought.... where did the time go?
When I come into the den and see a clean floor, no shoes, no books, no wrappers or empty drink cups, it will just be a reminder of those busy days when she was home. Yes, I will even miss the piles of clothes waiting at the steps to be taken upstairs and probably the unmade bed in her room. But through it all, I will be forever grateful to God for blessing me, for blessing our family with Lara, 22 years ago. I can`t take care of her anymore, physically, but I know God will be with her each step of the way.

I love you, sweet girl, and wish you the very best as you start off on your own.

Father`s Day

2011-06-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

As this weekend has come, once again, I think of my sweet Daddy. It has been 37 years since he died, but he is so missed, still... This year has been a hard one. My heart still aches as I rememeber Mother. That loss is so fresh and hard to realize. As we heard the dreaded word, "cancer" last summer, it brought back that day, all those years ago, when we were told that Daddy had cancer. How could it be happening again?

Mother`s Day was hard and this year, it is especially hard to have Father`s Day come, realizing that both of our parents are now gone and in the presense of the Lord. But as I am missing them both, and reliving some of our childhood memories, God is reminding me of where they are and what they both must be doing. What a picture, what an awesome thought.... I realize fully, that without God, without the hope that only He gives, our journeys with them having cancer, would have been impossible to bear. Without the hope of where they are right now, we could not have gone through it. Thankful that God is with us in all circumstances and in the midst of trials, that is when He brings us closer to Him, if we let Him.

What I miss about my Daddy is just his presence of goodness. I never heard him argue with Mother. He loved her so much.... Theirs was a love story that was dreamed about. He left that legacy with us, to love and to love unconditionally. He was always there for family, taking care of everyone. I remember so vividly after he died and I was struggling with the fact that he was gone, I said, that God just decided to give him some rest after all those years of taking care of people. Then, Mother took his place and took care of all the ladies who were left... It was if they were born to take care of people. Aunts, uncles, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, mother in laws.... they loved them all!!

So, today, I am missing them both but will honor the memories of all that my Daddy was, for this Father`s Day weekend. He would have loved all these grandchildren and great grandchildren that have come into the family. He would have loved more boys in the family.. They would have all loved him so.

Thank you Lord, for my Daddy you chose for me, for bringing Mother into his life and the relationship they shared and the home that they made for us, for the memories , for all the good times, for taking him home to be with You when it was time and for bringing them back together to sit at Your feet. Take good care of them and let them know how much they were loved...

New personalized note cards

2011-06-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

I am in Orlando for a few days with my husband for his banking convention. I am finding some alone time in the hotel which I love sometimes. It gives me time to think and design some new cards. Here are a few of the new cards that I have come up with this week. I can see many more as they are personalized to fit different hair and different eye colors. As soon as I finish this post, I am going outside to the pool to enjoy some more of this "alone" time!

Storm Cross t-shirts and cards

2011-05-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

With all the devastation all around us in Alabama after the storms and tornadoes last week, Gracie and Co has decided to do a t-shirt, with $5 of the proceeds going to help the victims. They will be available on www.gracieandco.com to order. They were designed with the houndstooth part and blue/orange dots for the cross. The center has "Prayer is a powerful thing". The scripture "Do you love me... tend my sheep." is printed under the design. With all the loss and suffering people are going through, this is meant to just be a simple reminder of the power of prayer. To bring Hope to the state, to all come together to put things into priority of what is really important. To remind us how sovereign God is, and for Him to be glorified through this tragedy, as He is being every day. If we didn`t have that Hope in Him, especially during these hard times and trials, it would be unbearable to get up each day. Note cards and decals will be available on the site, with a part of each item sold going to help the victims who have lost so much. "Do you love me.... tend my sheep" is a powerful verse, not a suggestion but a command..

Missing my Mother...

2011-05-02T05:56:00.001-07:00

Dear Gaga, You would love to see all that is going on at your house. Spring brings new life and that is exactly what is happening at your house. Brent and Lacy are lovingly adding new looks, new style and new life into your house and your would really like it.. The floors, Mother, the wood floors look great. Can you believe that old carpet is gone in there?! I know you would have done that if we had suggested it to you but we just never did. Your sofa looks great in its same place but it has a new coffee table with it and new pillows. You know that picture that Papa loved so much above the fireplace? Well, there is a big screen TV there now and I think you would even like that. You can see the TV from anywhere in the room now instead of just those two chairs.

The back bottom porch is all clean and has two new white rockers out there. Your screened porch has a big table and chairs and even a few ferns hanging. I think Brent and Lacy will enjoy that screen porch as much as you and Papa did. I can just imagine all the fun times, fellowship and cook outs that will be going on out there. Yes, you would like that new look outside.

Your bedroom is now brown. the white book shelves look great with the new color... Brent even used your garden tub that you loved so much but that you couldn`t get out of ... Remember the night you got stuck and couldn`t get out?!! Papa was ready to call 911 until you calmed him down...!

The basement is another story... I know you always told me the basement was mine to go through cause anyone else would just throw it all away... I am trying, I am trying... but you left so many special things to go through.. It may take a while longer for all of that. Many people will benefit from all your beautiful things, that is for sure! As I was in your work room, it was a quiet time, a time of reflecting, a time of remembering.... I found the sweater that Daddy left in there so many years ago, where you placed it on the back of your chair. It was hard to take it off ... I was telling the kids about how those two desks in there are antiques. I remember how Pop and Daddy used them when they worked together. Then when Daddy moved his office home and Pop died, that other one became yours. So many hours of pressed flower making was done down there at that desk.. I missed you down there today, I missed the hours spent together doing projects, talking , planning,... I wanted you there today to be able to call Lara and tell her happy birthday... But then, God`s grace showers down on me, reminding me exactly where you are, what you are doing.... Imagine that, Mother, imagine where and what you must be doing... more than my mind can think about but it is enough to know, to be sure of you being there with Him, right in His presence... Then, I hear Heston`s voice from upstairs, I hear the laughter from upstairs as they are unpacking and finding new places for the new things, then I know that your house will continue to be a home... a place where love is found, a place where you will always be with us, a place where memories of you, your smile, your love, just your presence will always be with us. I am thankful...

Your flowers are beautiful, the roses, the lilies, the yard is so pretty and green. Your snowball bush is in full bloom. I think it will be a beautiful spring and summer there at your house...Missing you still, but knowing you are perfect, in a perfect place, no more pain, no more sorrow.... is a great thing. I love you,
Jane

Pink hair!!

2011-04-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

Another adventure for me as I was painting the other day, pink haired ladies! I love the whimsical look and this certainly falls into that category. I was thinking a bit more grown up young ladies, after the other little people I had painted, so these are for the tweens!

Little people

2011-04-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

I was playing with some new thoughts, little people, the other day and am enjoying paintings these whimsical pictures. These pictures are designed and painted with a bit of lace added to many of them. This lace is special because it came from Mother`s collection that she kept in her basement. She had a craft room that would rival the best rooms out there. She knew exactly where everything was and everything had a place. She collected lace and lace pieces and had boxes of them all stacked together. She used them for special pillows and pin cushions that many of us have. I have been trying to think of ways to use some of her things and these paintings came to mind. If I could make them special by adding a bit of her lace, I knew that would make me happy. I certainly know that it would have made her happy if she could have seen them. She loved to share her treasures with others. So, hopefully, these little people will bring some smiles to others and a part of her, for others to enjoy.

As they were finished, I scanned them and made note cards out of them. They are finished up with scripture on the back and a sentiment or verse on the front. They are made, with love, to share smiles to all those who receive them in the mail.

This weekend Tom and I flew in to Indianapolis for a wedding. Our dear friends, Pam and Bill, had their oldest son, Will, getting married there. It was our first time to be in Indiana, and we came away, very impressed. The town of Indianapolis was much bigger than we had imagined, even the airport was large and very well laid out. The wedding was in a pretty little chapel and the bride looked gorgeous. I found out two very important things this weekend from the mother of the groom that we may act on at a later date. She said that there is a large demand of brides to have combs, crystal and pearl combs, to put in their updo hair styles. She had a hard time finding one to give to her new daughter in law, Carrie, and when she did find one, she said she paid way too much for it! The other thing she had a hard time finding was pretty lace hankies for the bride and bridal party.

So, I come home today from our weekend trip, with my mind spinning as to how this might be something we can work on for other brides to have available to them. Just a thought right now, but you just never know what becomes of a "thought"!!
Congratulations to Will and Carrie Stanley!!

New angel note card

2011-03-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

I painted this angel for Mother several years ago and she had it in her hallway. I have just recently brought it home to hang in my house. It is always a reminder of her and where she is now. She was the new angel that Heaven welcomed home in Dec. of last year. Now, I have scanned the picture and made into note cards. Great way to share the hope and message of where she is. She conquered death and is alive forever with Christ.

Some days are a little harder than others. I say that but don`t really mean harder. Each day is a blessing and I am so thankful for each one but some days, I am reminded about something that she was a part of, and it brings those tears back that I thought had almost dried up. Not tears for her cause she is whole again, but tears for me, for how I miss her. And to know, that I always will.....

New drawings for some new cards

2011-03-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

Thoughts of spring and The Cross

2011-03-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

It has been 3 months since Mother passed away and lots has happened during those months. We are moving on, but she is always in our thoughts... Especially when I create new cards, I miss her. She always was so supportive of my work, always loved all the designs and was proud to tell her friends about them when she had the chance. So, those times are hard still, but I do them, knowing she would have been happy to see me still moving ahead with Gracie.

Today, as I am sitting here thinking about Easter coming up soon, I am drawn to the thoughts of the simple cross. The cross, where it all started. The cross has special meaning at Easter, as we celebrate Jesus, His death, His burial then His resurrection. How great is this hope we have in Him, without it, life would be unbearable during hard times. I try to think of all the words used to describe this hope and happiness we have in Him.. and a few hours later, I have a new collection.
So today, I show these crosses as well as some new designs from last week. Happy Spring to everyone!!

Wedding weekend

2011-02-27T08:42:00.000-08:00

What a party we had yesterday... The weekend is over but what memories were created at the wedding celebration last night. Brent and Lacy were married last night at 6:30 and it was the perfect day. The weather was sunny and beautiful, no rain in sight.

We had the rehearsal dinner at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum downtown Birmingham and it was the perfect venue for a party. Lots to look at on the walls and a huge atrium on the first floor where they set up the tables for dinner. Full Moon catered and the brisket and chicken were great. We added some lemon ice box pies from a good friend`s restaurant, The Cedar House, and we it was completed!!!

The wedding was beautiful... the bridesmaids wore black strapless dresses and the groomsmen had champagne colored vests and bow ties, very handsome... The pale pink roses in the bouquets were soft and beautiful with a hint of baby breath mixed in. It was a bittersweet moment for me, after I got to my seat, to look at my whole family up there and so proud of them, but to know that the seat behind me was empty where Mother would have been. She would have loved the whole day and we missed her so....

Gracie was able to help with several things for the favors.... loved to design these candy wrappers for the tables. I found some cute little bride and groom boxes from the Dollar Store and decorated them to use for place cards at the table. I love that place. You could find all sorts of goodies there to use..

Now, with the festivities behind me, I find that I have a refrigerator and kitchen full of left over food!! Cakes, pies, brisket, and more cake..... Gotta get that wrapped up quick and into the freezer!!

I feel so blessed to have all this happiness in my life today. Friends and family gathered with us yesterday to celebrate the union of Brent and Lacy and it was great to be together for a happy time. Good luck and congratulations to Brent and Lacy Lazenby!!! I love you both...

We are back!!

2011-02-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Well, let me say that the Allure, was everything it was said to be and more!! It is the largest ship right now and is just plain "awesome'!! Over 6000 passengers packed into the ship. They have three different atriums, Central Park, Grand promenade and the Boardwalk. Each was unique in its own way. Zip line, ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, putt putt golf, high dive show, Broadway show, Chicago playng, 27 different restaurants, a kiddie pool to die for, Shrek characters around the ship and on the grand parade, pools everywhere, ice cream machines around the pool.... just goes on and on. It was a great week with our little family, a great week of laughter, smiles and great memories made while we remembered old ones. We are so thankful to have had that week together...

While there, I was thankful to have my computer to work on a few orders that I got last week. This ice skating party is coming up soon and my son`s rehearsal dinner is in a few weeks. We are all excited for this big event, when Brent will bring Lacy into our lives, officially!

A little more Valentines

2011-01-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

Getting back in the swing of things this year, I have been trying to follow up on my facebook pages and blogs for Gracie. Trying to do a few new cards each week and now is the perfect time for a few more Valentines. If I don`t put them together soon, it will be too late....

I just have a few more days then it is off to the warm and sunny Caribbean.!! Tom surprised me with a cruise on the new Alure, Royal Caribean`s newest ship. It is huge and has boardwalks and carousel, central park in the multi floor atrium. My sister, husband, my aunt and uncle, Dian and Don, are coming with us. It will be a healing time for us all, to get away and move forward since the death of our Mother in December. Still have packing to do, but that will come!!

Happy Valentines to you all! Enjoy those special people in your lives and give extra hugs to all of them....

Santa Rosa Beach

2011-01-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

Our good friends, Bill and Vicki, have a place in Santa Rosa Beach and offered it to us for the weekend, so we have taken a few days off to be at the beach. I love the brillant blue colors of the beach down here. There is no place any prettier in my mind. It is a little chilly in the mornings but warms up in the afternoon. Good food is abundant!! We will go for early dinner tonight at the Backporch, which is a favorite of mine with the popcorn shrimp.

On the way to the beach, we always try to stop at Chocodelphia, in Prattville. The name is great for all chocolate lovers, like myself. They carry my cards there and when I called to ask her if she needed any more, she said, Valentines and anything Auburn. So, I got to work and made some new ones for her to have and for my Auburn folks to enjoy.

Hope this long weekend holiday is a good one for all to enjoy! Check back soon...

End of the Christmas holidays.... on to Valentines!!

2011-01-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it is officially the end of the holidays. Lara goes back to Baylor tomorrow. She has lots to do between then and now, but she assures us that it will be taken care of. Clothes to pick up, clothes to wash and dry, trash to be thrown away, car to be packed.... set alarm for 4:45a.m. then head out at 5 A.M!! Just as she gets home and I get use to having her, she is heading out again... I know she is ready to get back and finish up this last semester so she can graduate in May. I am always left with the same question when she leaves, "where did all the time go?"!! Especially now, with her being a college senior, how did my baby grow up so quickly?

It has been a different Christmas this year. We missed Mother but we all pulled together and lots of memories were made. Memories of the past were shared as we start to go through things at Mother`s house. There are tears but lots of smiles and laughter too. So now, we move ahead in this new year, 2011, one day at a time. Next.... Brent and Lacy`s wedding Feb. 26!!

Gracie is having a bit of time to get back on track and looking towards Valentines Day. Have a new card to share and hopefully, will have more soon. Thanks for checking in with us.....

Happy New Year!!

2011-01-01T08:53:00.001-08:00

2011 has arrived... As I wake up this morning and think about all the resolutions that are being made, it makes me think about true resolutions, ones that count, that need to be made, life changing resolutions that we can make. I came across this prayer in a book by Catherine Marshall that I brought home from Mother`s house, "Light in my Darkest Night". It is about our quiet time with God and a great prayer and resolution for us all...... She says...

"Thank you, Jesus, for revealing to me that to rise at six each morning is to travel from 'dull sloth' to 'fresh ardors'. How glorious is the early morning air, the dazzling colors of the sunrise, the sweet bird sound, the fresh smell of the foliage and flowers!
Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity of this firsthand audience with the King. How privileged is that person who is admitted to Royal Presence, to listen to the almighty King, to watch Him, to bask in His majesty. In earthly courts, such a one would be considered favored indeed. Yet this is the status and the privilege You give to each of us, Lord."

It is not 6a.m. now as I am writing, but what a special time to strive to be up to enjoy all God has given us as we are able to fellowship with Him. What a special prayer that Catherine Marshall prayed so many years ago and we can still pray it today. We know we can have our quiet time at any time during the day, but first thing in the morning, having that time with the Lord before the day has started and being in touch with Him, at the very time that Mother is sitting right there with Him.... there is something so comforting and special about that. This resolution is one that can easily be done, and one that will count for His glory.

As we are drawn to the empty feeling without her still, this is a great reminder of how we can erase that sorrow and be so thankful of where she is. It is almost more than the mind can comprehend... but to know, to believe, to have faith... that is enough for us to hold on to .

So on the first day of the new year, as we start it without Mother, as we are missing her so much, we are dwelling on the hope of the Lord, the promises He made to her that are now fulfilled as she is with Him. ....I close with this verse from Romans, reminding us of how God is in control, even when we don`t understand....

"Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his wisdom and knowledge and riches! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods. For who among us can know the mind of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his counselor and guide? And who could ever offer to the lord enough to induce him to act? For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. To him be glory evermore." Romans 11:33-36

Today, Lord, we thank you for this new year. We thank you for being in control, for planning our days in advance for us. We thank you for the privilege you give us to be admitted to your Royal presence, to listen, watch and bask in your majesty. We are in awe of Your care that you give us, You know our days, You know the number of hairs on our head. You created us in Your image, and we are most thankful. We prayed for You to take care of our Mother and You have. When she couldn`t get that healed body with us, You gave her a perfect body with You and we thank You for that...
Be with our family, Lord, as we start this new year. Help us to be desperate for You each day...

Good bye 2010, Welcome 2011

2010-12-31T07:23:00.000-08:00

As I am sitting here this morning, watching the activities on TV, getting ready for the big celebration tonight for the world, I am drawn back to reality in my own life. Our celebration is a different kind of celebrating. My family is celebrating the lives of two very special people who are not with us as we start this new year. Our Mother, Gaga to many, and our Papa went home to be with the Lord this past year and we miss them terribly. But as we went through their illnesses and ultimately their deaths, our hope was always in the Lord. We knew He was in charge, we knew He had a plan for both of them, we knew He loves them more than we can even imaging and we knew He would take care of them. If we didn`t have this hope that we still cling to, it would have been unbearable to go through.

Papa died in September of pneumonia, alzheimers. We lost him several years ago as this disease took him away, little by little. We rejoiced and celebrated his life, knowing he was so much better, out of that body and in the presence of the Lord. We didn`t know that 3 short months later, we would be doing the same thing, walking the same road with our dear Mother. We will never understand but we trust that God had this planned and it was His will that she leave us and go to live with Him. She loved Him, she lived for Him, she radiated His love and now, she is right there in the very presence of Him. We have no doubt that she is in the middle of that Heavenly choir, singing His praises. We have no doubt that if given the choice, she would not want to leave that beautiful place where she has arrived. So, it is with this celebration, that we thank God. We thank God for giving her to us all those years ago. We thank God for bringing Papa into our lives so many years ago and for how our families have been brought together. We thank God for how we have each other to walk this walk with. And at this time of celebrating the new year, we thank God for being with us, for loving us and for taking such good care of us.

Yes, our celebration is different than most today, but we look forward to moving ahead into this new year. New traditions will be made, new weddings, new babies in the future, but our Gaga and Papa will forever be with us in our hearts and those special memories.

Goodbye 2010 and welcome 2011

words........

2010-12-30T20:11:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what a word means? if a word can make a difference? if people can take comfort from a word? Well, I think just one word can make a difference in a life.... So, I put my mind to work one day and came up with important words that I wanted to include on some cards. I loved thinking about the words and loved creating the different looks for each card with different colors. Hope you enjoy looking at them!!