baby love

This just may be the quote of the year:

"He's just awesome, Mom. There's nothing like coming home and seeing him smile at me." Brian

New beginnings...

For the past year
I have sold my pretties

at a wonderful store,

The Painted Chair

It was a great place, full of

fun stuff and fun people.

It was a great fit for me.

A little bit of vintage, a little bit of new,

and a lot of remakes.

I made new friends and customers.

It was the best of both worlds.

I could work at home so I could still take care of my family,

call my own hours, and putter away on the transforming.

For 2 days of the month

I would get to "play" storekeeper!

THANKS, Ember

for the opportunity and friendship!

But now it is time to move on.

I have put my stuff in 2 new locations

The first is one of my favorite places to shop

The Shabby House

I love it!

BUT

they only had an outside tent available.

I'm such a visionary goon-I saw them and just loved it-

I saw *Farm Chicks* potential!

I just hope the *customers* see it that way!

Here is what I started with:

By the end of the first day

I have a long ways to go to fill it up!



so many ideas....

This is the 2nd store.My dear friend, Gayle, is going to try her dishes here.

Aren't they lovely?!

People tell me change is good;

that change is inevitible.

I say it is a new opportunity

to trust and walk in

God's love and faithfulness.

But I trust in you, O Lord

I say, "You are my God,

My times are in your hands."

Psalm 31:14

treasures and awards...

I haven't been out at yardsales

as much lately

due to all those changes

I've been whining about:)

But I did go out last weekend

and found some fun stuff!

Last weekend's finds!
Isn't this the cutest little cabinet-

it was a steal, too.

the cabinet and everything in it for $5.00!

I've been looking for silver serving pieces

and I can always use glass hardware!

I haven't decided yet about this patio set

but it will be white shortly!

I just

love, love, love those roses!

I received this award from Lorena and Barbara.

THANKS ladies~it is humbling to know

that you all are reading....

In accepting this award, I agree to:
1. Display logo and link to who gave it
2. Nominate at least 7 blogs
3. Add links to those 7 blogs
4. Leave the nominees a message that they received the award



I pick...


Lisa-A Thing For Roses

Debbie Kay-My Vintage Daydreams

Debbie-My Shabby Roses

Kathy-Colby Cottage Happenings

Gayle-Refreshings

Diane-Petticoat Junction

Joy-A Day in the Life

Be back soon,

always...

kiss me goodnight...

I love that phrase.

This is one of my favorite pillows

with those words embroidered on it.

I don't know about you

but when all is right with the husband,

then I can tackle just about anything,

but when it is not right...

it is not a pretty thing!

I've been spending some of the hot afternoons

up in my bedroom

(We only have A/C up here~

that is a move up from the "old days"!

as my older kids will attest to...

These old houses can get

up to 90 degrees in the upstairs-

How did they do it

without electricity and area fans?

I digress... I've been doing some past due spring cleaning

and, you know what that leads to...

decorating~I just can't help it!

We haven't done anything in here for quite awhile

so I'm wanting to fluff a bit

and finish up some things.

So I thought I'd show what it looks like right now.

This burgundy dress is a guinne sax

(if you know what that is-we know what age you are!)

I actually wore it to one of my high school dances-

of course, my date was dear hubby!

That tells how sentimental I am

and how I connect *memories* and *things*

The loveseat in the corner

was in my grandmother's house

for as long as I can remember.

She was way ahead of the times, don'tcha think?

We put the bathtub in the room

to be more like a bed and breakfast.

You can tell by the faucet

how many times I have used it:)

Maybe someday...

My 1/2 bath

the mirror harp we have put in 3 different houses.

We just buy an unfinished oak cabinet base

and then stain it to match.

But I'm thinkin' white paint!



This chandlelier was a surprise present

from my sweet husband.

I came home one day from shopping;

He had painted it & installed it.

Wasn't that sweet?

100th post!!

Thanks for the good times!

THANKS bunches...

Thank you
for all of your
love, support and prayers.

Especially for the grandbabies
Everything is going well-

Mama is still on bedrest

and she was soo blessed

by your compassion.

I've taken the week off

from all painting and blogging

to reflect, re-evaluate, and to seek direction.

Now, there are decisons to be made

Oh, how I hate that process!

Anyone else like that?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be discouraged

for the LORD, your God

will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Be strong and take heart,

all you who HOPE in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

I did work on this new header this week-

I still want to get a background

but I just can't figure that part out!

I'll be back next week with my 100th post!

That went quickly!

Have a great weekend!

Summer treats

This is one of my favorite summer-time treats.

Lemon Meringue Ice Cream

MERINGUE
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 c. sugar
Put a rack in middle of oven, preheat to 250 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Beat whites and salt in med. bowl with an mixer at med. speed until whites hold soft peaks. Add sugar 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating at high speed until meringue holds stiff, glossy peaks, about 1 minute. Spread meringue into a 9in. round on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake until firm to touch, about 1 hour. Turn off oven and let meringue stand in oven 1 hour. Transfer meringue (on parchement) to a rack to cool completely.

Peel off parchment and, working over a bowl, break meringue into
1/2-to1 in. pieces.



ICE CREAM
1 1/2c. heavy cream
1 c. whole milk
3/4c. sugar
4 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1/8 tsp. salt
6 egg yolks
2/3c. lemon juice

Combine cream, milk, sugar, zest, and salt in 2-3qt. heavy saucepan, bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, whisk yolks in med. metal bowl until smooth. Add hot cream mixture to yolks in a slow stream, whisking constantly, then pour back into pan. Cook custard over moderate low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until custard is thick enough to coat back of spoon
(170 F). Do not let boil.

Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into clean metal bowl and stir in lemon juice. Cool custard to room temperature, then refrigerate, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours

Freeze custard in ice cream maker.
Transfer ice cream to bowl and top with meringue.
ENJOY!

change...

Have I ever mentioned I *hate* change?

I fight it with all I have in me.

I am loyal to a fault because of it...

I want to fix it, to salvage it, to keep it

whatever *it* is...

I've had some news,

some quite unexpected news.

But a dear friend shared this

(in another context)

but how good is our God

I needed *this*

Do not look forward to the changes

and chances of this life in fear;

rather look to them with full HOPE,

that, as they arise,

God ,

whose you are,

will deliver you out of them.

He has kept you hitherto-do you but hold fast

to his dear Hand,

and He will lead you safely through all things;

and,

when you cannot stand,

He will bear you in his arms,

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow;

the same everlasting Father who cares for you today,

will take care of you

tomorrow and every day.

Either He will shield you from suffering,

or

He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then, and

put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

St. Francis DE SALES

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust and not be afraid.

Isaiah 12:2

also, please pray for "our" babies

we had our first scare this weekend

everything is OK

but mama is now on bedrest at 21 weeks

God Bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her,

And guide her
Through the night,

with a light from above .

From the mountains,

to the prairies,

to the oceans white with foam,

God Bless America,

My Home sweet Home.

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

Have a glorious day of celebrating!

Rene'

This week's pretties...

I just had a quick minute

to show you some of the pretties

I've been working on this week

for the shop.

Remember this?
It was from that salvage yard sale~

My husband added the hooksA quick coat of white paint

and it's ready for its new life!