YARDSALE FINDS AND GUSTAV

My daughter, Amy, and I left early yesterday morning to hit some of the yard sales. We knew we didn't have much time because she had to get back for a birthday party and I was having folks over to watch the game (ROLL TIDE), but we found some pretty neat things in a short time. I got a little blue & gold trinket box that I am going to put in my bathroom (perfect colors) to put cotton balls, Q-tips, or whatever in for $1.00, the white candle holder that is already distressed looking for $1.00, the grapevine wreath for $0.50 (as I started to pay for it--the lady said the person in front of me,who I had never seen, paid for it for me--so it was free), and my favorite find.........an OLD cookbook for $1.00. YES, it was from 1916 and I love cookbooks....it's up on the shelf in my kitchen by the recipe that I framed. That was my catch of the day.
I am so proud of the cookbook. It's in pretty good condition for the age of it.
Please pray for the people along the gulf coast. My son and his family live in Louisiana north of Lake Pontchartrain. They, along with his wife's parents and grandmother, are coming here today. His father-in-law's business is in Metairie (outside of New Orleans) and they lost their lake home three years ago in Bay St. Louis. There are 1,000's of people that are just like them...I can't imagine driving away and not knowing if your home would be there when you return. Pray for safety and also that there will be minimal damage from this storm. God Bless all of you!

ANOTHER WONDERFUL IDEA COPIED

I wish I could tell you that I have done something that is totally my idea.....but I saw this wonderful idea TODAY on Bienvenue. Susie is so creative and makes the cutest tassels but you need to check out her other wonderful ideas. You'll have to make a Spooky Tree like she has made when you see it also. But we're talking about something else right now. COASTERS!!! Everyone needs coasters and these were just about the easiest thing I've ever done. I love roosters so her example was perfect for me. Hobby Lobby has a sale right now on 50% off stamps so the sky is the limit to what you could do. You could have seasonal coasters for practically nothing! Get some slick tile from a Home Depot, Lowe's or wherever they sell tile. These tile pieces were $0.32 each. They had some for $0.13 each but I'm sure you could probably find them for even less if you had time to really look. Make sure your stamping ink is permanent and stamp away! Put some of the little felt circles underneath so your furniture won't get scratched and you are done!!! Can it get any easier???? If you check out Susie's blog you will see how she has tied a pretty ribbon around six tiles for great gifts. I couldn't do this because I didn't want to wait for mine to dry.....had to make a picture to post.
This is the picture of the front of one and the back showing how I stuck the felt pieces to keep the tiles from scratching my furniture.
The finished product...............isn't this pretty? Can't you see pumpkins, Christmas trees, snowflakes, etc......... Thank you, Susie for a wonderful idea.

MY CHALKBOARD CLAYPOTS

I have gotten SO MANY wonderful ideas from my blogging friends and each time I see something I can hardly wait to make one for myself. The chalkboard claypots are ANOTHER idea that I got from Robin at The Robin's Nest. She has the tutorial on her blog for how to do these and great suggestions for changing them for each holiday/season. I bought the pots a while back and wanted to get started on them right away. We' ve had rain for several days (I'm not complaining) and today was the first day without rain for me to get outside with my spray chalkboard paint. I already have ideas for changing the wording...."Roll, Tide, Roll" (Bama fans)," Ho, Ho, Ho" at Christmas and " Let It Snow "in January.....With these wonderful chalkboard pens (from Michael's) it is so easy to change the wording. I'll just change the ribbon to fit the wording. Thank you Robin for yet another wonderful idea. I still have more of her ideas in the making. By the way....it isn't too late to join her Christmas stocking exchange. Go to her blog for information on this!

Also....my flower pots go in my kitchen window but I could see myself in the reflection in the window. You didn't want to see that!!!

ANOTHER GIVE-AWAY

Rondell at Tomatoe Creek Prims is having her 100th post give-away. Look at all the neat prim gifts she is giving to some lucky person. There is something for each of the upcoming holidays plus a Yankee candle. All you have to do to be eligible for her drawing is go to her blog and leave a comment telling her that you want to be included. Don't miss this chance to win this great prize. You will really enjoy visiting and seeing all the neat things she and her husband have made.

MY KITCHEN

When I visit other blogs I enjoy seeing pictures of your homes so I thought I'd share a picture of a room where I spend a great amount of time---my kitchen. I love to cook and enjoy having people over to eat so it's natural for me to spend time here! In this first picture I am taking it from the breakfast area looking into the kitchen area. You can see (kinda) that I have a collection of Blue Ridge plates hanging over my cabinets. I used to look for these every where I went but I don't find as many bargains as I did earlier. Suppose more people are collecting them now! You can also see that I have a shelf over the door going into my laundry room where I just have some old pitchers, jars, and butter molds.


This is taken from the kitchen looking back into the breakfast nook. The cabinet that is on the left of my table is one that I want to paint black (but not tell my husband until it is done). I'm afraid he'll try to talk me out of it. What do you think???
This is another shelf (over the opening going into my den) where I have some of my old bowls displayed. I shared with someone the other day that I loved old bowls also.....I don't even have a particular pattern. I use these when I need a large serving piece. I don't want to not use something if it can be used!
Here's the last door with a shelf (going into the dining room) where I have more old pitchers, juicers, jars, etc. Now I'm wondering if I have too many...........
This last picture just shows the Blue Ridge plates taken much closer. Now you know where you can find me when I am home (and not on the computer).

JUST WONDERING

I really didn't know what to write about tonight. I'm so thankful for those of you who are visiting my blog and especially those who take the time to leave a comment. This is all new to me and I feel that I gain so much from visiting your sites and hope you'll visit mine. My husband asked me last night if I felt like I HAD to post something every day. I told him that I didn't feel like I HAD to, but I know how much I enjoy seeing new posts from all of you. I know I am rambling and what I'd like is for you to leave me a comment and tell me what you really like to see when you visit blogs. I don't feel that I am as creative as many of you....oh, I can copy what you so graciously share. I just know that I feel like I have new friends from some of you who "come to see me every day" and I hope you'll continue to want to visit me.

PATCHWORK QUILTS

Rain today prevented any yard sales or painting projects to be completed, but I'm not complaining at all. We have needed rain for so long that this is indeed a welcomed sight. I started thinking about what I could write about since I wasn't able to finish a project. I walked past my quilts that are hanging on a ladder in the corner of my den and knew I'd share these with you today. First of all....I LOVE quilts! I'd take a quilt any day over a blanket. As a child I remember my mother and two of her sisters quilting. They didn't use hoops --they had a wooden frame set up in the living room. While they quilted I would play underneath the quilt and I'd see the needles go in and out as they made these pretty stitches. I have some of those quilts today and my children each have one that was made for them. These that you see above are some others that I chose to display. I'm sure there are stories in each of the scraps of fabric used. This ladder has a story also. My brother-in-law lives in Florida where there are many orange groves. I told him once that I'd love to have an OLD ladder to display my quilts. He told me that the ladders the fruit pickers use are discarded after many years and he would see if he could get me one. The next time he came home I had it. It is perfect!! I wish I had learned the art of quilting. The time spent together with family and friends while making something to be passed to future generations is a precious gift!