Cookie Burner

(I think that might have been my Mom's CB "handle" back in the 70's, actually.)
Humming along with "Baby, it's cold outside", we made these little cuties this evening, in preparation for our tree trimming party tomorrow.
They're cooling overnight in the pantry, awaiting their snowy tops. Too bad I can't say they look as good as these.....but our evergreens have a bit of "rust" on their edges. Our oven must run a bit hotter than their test kitchen, because we only went for the 6 minutes. After it was turned down to 350, they did better. I just now happened to think; I didn't use my airbakes either...doh.

(Photo: Betty Crocker)

We found my missing silpat today. I'm over-joyed! It's been MIA for a couple of months,I love that thing, and was baffled as to where it could be. It had fallen down behind the drawers in the baking center. I had already checked and re-checked the backs of adjoining drawers, to see if it was stuck in between them. Today, when we pulled the pots and pans drawer completely out of the bottom of the cabinet....there it was....

(hmmm, along with the egg separator Anna was just asking about the other day.) I had been bummed, because silpats are too spendy for me, to just replace. So glad, it's safe and sound, and just in time for all of the holiday baking. Hallelujah!

We had a busy day with routine Dr's. appt, some [successful, yay!] shopping and errands, more gift wrapping, etc. I'm feeling pretty happy with how things are going so far.

How are you doing?

Are you looking forward to Christmas?

Firstborn Grandchild

His parents were ready to be parents, but I wasn't sure I was ready to be called "Grandma".
I had images of my own grandmother, who had seemed OLD as long as I could remember. My Mom was already "Nana", and I was having trouble coming up with a "name" for myself.

The day he came home from the hospital, his Mama went downstairs to the kitchen for something, and left me rocking him upstairs. As I nuzzled against his soft little face, I got teary and whispered "Oh Matthew, your granny loves you sooooooooo much."
and then quickly swore him to secrecy! "Don't tell anyone I just called myself that....'k?" (I don't think he ever has)

There was definitely some identity crisis going on....I have cards that are addressed to
"Gran-lady" Jim's idea, and "Granny" which I just couldn't handle, it conjured up images of Whistler's Mother to me.....and finally "Nanny".
Nanny has led to some confusion for other people, "This is my Nanny" results in being thought by them as the hired help. But; Nanny, I am.

Matthew is so dear to all of us. He was this pivotal little person that made all of us become "more". Now we were grandparents, aunties, and uncles. Everyone doted on him.
I love his sweet spirit. I love the way he and his sister are best friends. He is growing up so fast, but I love how he still lets me hug him.

Because his Nanny (and Papa) love him sooooo much.

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Goodwill toward men

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son

that whosoever believeth in Him,

should not perish

but have everlasting life.

Bling & Bing

Did you notice the new header? Christmas Greetings and Joy to you from Dandelion!

I just can't do the "Black Friday" thing; but the day after Thanksgiving is the first day of Christmas at our house.

It's the day the Christmas CD's get brought out, and preparations begin in earnest.

Lovely....
Bing Crosby crooning away as I made some sparkly magnets for the house out of Twinkle Type letters from Michaels. The first craft anything I've done in a while.

Speaking of Bing: Here is some more Tacoma Trivia for you....He was born in his family's home on "J" Street. Yep, that's right.....Sarah and Bob's old street....only 4 blocks away from their house.
Just a little "fun fact" for ya. I thought it was kinda cool, when I found out.

I've had fun wrapping some pkg's with some bling too....but can't show you because I don't want to ruin the surprise for someone special. So fun. :)

Grateful and goin' Green

God has been with us through thick and thin this past year. Like any family, we've had hurdles to clear and puddles to jump in this obstacle course called life. But we can say...we are blessed, and we are grateful. We have much to be thankful for.

This pumpkin pecan cheesecake....not so much.

Couldn't find my old recipe, so got this one off-line.

Not one of my finer culinary moments.

One last try on that fudge recipe, proved futile as well. grrrrr

There was some consolation drowning in a "good do" on spinach dip.

***************

We had traditonal Thanksgiving Fare:

Turkey

Stuffing with mushrooms

Mashed spuds/ Gravy

Sarah's green beans

Anna-Lisa's sweet taters

corn

Kate's rolls & butter

Sarah's ambrosia salad

cranberry sauce & olives

celery sticks and baby carrots

sparkling cider

coffee

hot spiced cider

desserts

crackers and spinach dip

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No "what are you wearing tomorrow" phone calls,

and we all still ended up wearing green tops and blue jeans.

Even me, though I'm behind the camera.

This was right before going home and everyone was tired,

and not feeling much like photo sessions.

Love my girlies.

Caught up on some birthday boy action, since we were sick and missed his party.

Not many pictures. Busy, and bad lighting. (Am hoping Sarah got a good picture of Josie in that adorable outfit....so cute...cuz I didn't and I want one)

We had a new Yahtzee score pad that didn't get opened. Kate brought Trivial pursuit pop culture, which didn't get played either. The adults seemed pretty tired and mellow. Mellow was good, because the kids were not. They were energetic, and at times loud, but they entertained themselves and played really well together.

Lots of laughter, and no tears....that's always a good day.

Pastry preview

Anna made 2 apple pies this morning.

This rustic lattice beauty went to her office party today.

And this yummer is for our dinner tomorrow.

Wow! Is it Wednesday ALREADY?! Time to quit fiddle-dy poopin' around and get busy!
I've got a houseful of people tomorrow.

2 kinds of cookies:done
Rice krispie treats: done
Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake:done
A "special" new fudge: NOT DONE and not sure it will be....not sure I want to waste any more ingredients......Do we REALLY BELIEVE the old saying about THIRD time being a charm?!!!
2 flops down....not sure I'm ready for round 3. I'm afraid I would be down for the count.

Well, the house has been smelling yummy, but I'm afeered it's time to put away the oven mitts for a bit and pull out the dusting ones.

And in case you're wondering: cooking and cleaning aside, I'm very cognisant
of what it's all about.
We have so VERY much to be thankful for. It makes me teary.
Have a very wonderful Thanksgiving, dear Readers, and God Bless you.

Taking the Task Force to task

Question: Is it the U.S. PreventIVE Services Task Force; OR The U.S.PREVENTING SERVICES task force?
I know I said this blog was to be a bright spot, and not negative. But, I believe I also gave myself the luxury loophole of an occasional rant...well gang...today's the day.

It's been on the news lately about the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updating their guidelines for routine mammograms. They are recommending women in their 40's discuss with their Dr. whether they even want to get a mammogram, and that women 50 and over get one every two years.

They've forced my hand. I have my own task force. My task is to share my heart with you.

Our task, your task....is to try to connect the dots
before something happens.
People say, 'Well where's the smoking gun?'
Well we don't want to see the smoking gun,
from a weapon of mass destruction.
~ Donald Rumsfeld.


The HMO that we were formerly members of, also had the every two year policy.
In 2004, I had a routine mammogram and the findings were completely normal. Two years later, I had a routine mammogram, and was in stage 3 cancer. I firmly believe that had I gone in for an annual mammogram, the tumor most likely would have been detected earlier, and my treatment plan would have been much easier.

It is easy to go down into Hell;
Night and day the gates of dark death stand wide.
But to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air-
there's the rub, the task. ~ Virgil

I have to wonder what personal experience with cancer the members of the task force have. From a professional standpoint, according to what I've read, there are no oncologists on it.

Prior to my diagnosis, I had a very casual attitude about mammograms, and a "never happen to me" mentality. I went for mine, but was thinking, "what a waste of time, I'd rather be gardening". Within an hour and a half, my life as I knew it was turned upside down. But at least I still have a life. I so, do not want women to start taking this lightly. I can not stress enough, how important it is to get your mammograms, and to get them ANNUALLY.

My other concern is that with the new recommendations, that insurance companies may not want to shell out for annual testing. I pray that is not the case. Get your Dr. on board.

The other findings that troubled me in this study, were the poo-pooing of women's self exams.
It's important to do this as well. If I had not been such a case of la-la land, I would have found my own tumor sooner. I told myself I needed to get new bras, (the underwire was irritating it)and even convinced myself that I had strained myself pulling posts out of the ground in the garden. If you don't know the proper procedure for doing a self exam; there are instructions HERE.
Pay attention to changes in your body. You know yourself best.

The panel was concerned that women are needlessly upset and made apprehensive by these tests. The mammogram itself is not a big deal. Biopsies: not real fun, phone calls or letters stating "abnormal findings": disconcerting. But being ostriches doesn't bode well. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. The sooner it's found, the better the outcome. I would have to agree with the old adages "Better safe than sorry" and "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

A final word to the Task Force:
Always render more and better service than is expected of you,
no matter what your task may be.
~ Mandino

Shadows

The other day a children's program was on T.V. They were talking about what a shadow is. How it resembles you, and does what you do. I was reminded of this Scripture:

THEREFORE BE imitators of God

[copy Him and follow His example],

as well-beloved children

[imitate their father].

Ephesians 5:1

A Good Week

We had a nice candlelight Italian supper at home tonight. Great ending to a good week. Lasagna, and tossed salad.

And crusty bread with "Italian butter" from the recipe I got at gardening class with Bonny yesterday. (Class was on herbs this time). It is Mmmwah .... deliziosa!

Italian Butter

1/8 tsp oregano

1/8 tsp basil

1/8 tsp rosemary (crushed)

1/8 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)

fresh ground pepper

1 dash red pepper flakes

1 large clove of garlic (crushed)

3 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

Mix together dry spices. Add crushed garlic. Place on small saucer & pour oil over mixture.

Dip with your favorite artisan bread.

I made a larger version of this, and didn't measure anything. Also added fresh italian parsley and oregano from my kitchen garden, rather than dry. I've had bread and different dipping oils at restaurants before, but this is my favorite by far.

I didn't pig out at dinner though, because this was chilling in the fridge. (Sure glad I cleaned the fridge today, so there was room!)

MMMmmmmm, yum, I just love Tirimisu and a cup of coffee!
A sweet little reward for a bit of productivity this week.

Finally! Enough stamina to get a few things accomplished! Mixed crocus and Apricot Impression tulip bulbs got planted. It was either get them in the ground or risk my self-imposed ultimatum....Never be allowed to buy them AGAIN! My track record in the follow through on bulb planting has been sorry the past few years.

Leaves got raked (there's more where they came from, unfortunately). They were put as mulch on the blueberry bushes, currants, and marionberry and concord grape vines.

Our area has quite stringent backyard burning laws , so the burnpile gets pretty large with orchard prunings, etc. I am always so happy to hear the words "backyard burning is allowed today from ......." on the phone recording at the burn #. Particularly when I'm set to be home and working outside. Wednesday was one of those days, YAY!

Chicken House "litter" (nice word for it, don't ya think?) was wheelbarrowed to the asparagus bed. Asparagus is such a "heavy feeder", and ours was sort of anemic this year. Hopefully this will help.

After weeks at home, some time out shopping was welcomed. I was ecstatic to find some things I needed and had been having trouble finding, for a christmas gift project I'm working on. Jim was the lucky companion, who got to share in the stares, when I got absolutely giddy. "Oh, I'm so happy! SOOOO happy!" (And that's all I can say about that right now)

The main Thanksgiving menu purchases have been made. A certain little girl helping me, made sure there were plenty of mushrooms for the stuffing, and of course sparkling cider. We are so looking forward to a great week, next week. Can't wait for the chicks to migrate home to the nest.

Happy Birthday, dear Mama, Happy Birthday to youWe've all met those people who attribute their faults and failures to their childhood. This lady had many trials in her growing up years, and used them to her advantage. It made her determined to have a safe, warm, loving home environment for her family. It gave her a heart of compassion, and wisdom. It made her a person that people, (even total strangers) feel safe with, and before they know it; they have poured out their hearts and lives to her. She's a wonderful listener.

When I was a little girl, I was so proud of my Mama. I thought she was so pretty, and I noticed how other girls admired her too. But when I was in Jr. High; my Mama became a Christian. The Lord made her even more beautiful as she opened her heart to Him and allowed Him to transform her into all that He created her to be. It's been amazing and lovely to watch.

Happy Birthday dear Mama, Happy Birthday to YOU!

Oh my, Miss Marple

Have you ever watched movies or read books with an accent or vernacular different from your own, and had it get in your head? Lately, I've been watching lots of British films/BBC TV programs. Jim is not a fan, but I love them. Hmmmm, Well now, that's just not quite right now, is it? You'd think he would; he's been reading books by an author who frequently uses the term "octagenarian", and Miss Marple fits that term perfectly. But as they say "don't let the knitting needles fool you!." In addition to that lovely pink mohair yarn, she's working with; She's quite the sleuth. I love her sensible, quiet ways, and her quirky, mishapen, felt gardening hat, support hose and old lady, tied, high heeled shoes. I love her quick wit, and analytical mind. Hmmm, well yes that's just as how it should be, isn't it? Hmmm, yes, .......quite.

Weekend weepies

One of the banquet tables I'll be needing for Thanksgiving dinner was buried under boxes and stacks of family pictures in my studio. A huge mess. I had started sorting them a while back, and got way-layed. The house was kidlet free this weekend, so it seemed a good time to try tackling the picture nightmare again. My sister said it best though, when she thought it might not be the best time emotionally for me to deal with them. I'm just over being sick for weeks, and still quite fatigued.

Sure enough:
Oh, look at these pictures of the girls when they were little at Christmas with their matching red flannel nities and night caps. SNIFF

SNIFF.... Here's one of Molly checking out the turkey Sarah's basting in the oven. SNIFF SNIFF.

Oh look, Kate and Chris' Senior pictures together....her in the j.crew sweater he bought her...that was a fun day....sniff

Awww, Everyone taking turns holding Matthew at the hospital, the day he was born....sniff...sniff...

more births, school pictures, graduations, weddings, holidays....boooooohoooooooooohoooooo.

And i thought the ROOM was a mess.

Fireside Hazelnut Crackles

(I have doubled the chocolate crackle recipe I've used for years, and replaced the walnuts with hazelnuts, aka. filberts.)

Fireside Hazelnut Crackles

2 cups semi-sweet choco chips

2 cups brown sugar, packed

2/3 cup oil

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup chopped hazelnuts

powdered sugar (approx. 1 cup)

Melt chips in micro safe bowl. Combine with sugar and oil. Add vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder & salt. Add to choco mixture. Sir in nuts.

Chill dough. Make a ball out of a teaspoon of dough, roll in powdered sugar,

Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven 10-12 minutes.

Cool on rack.

I added a piece of candy corn to the top while they were still hot.

Had lots left-over from halloween & it made them sort of seasonally festive.

Don't put them on before baking unless you want them to run all over the baking sheet.....

don't ask me how i know this.....

(Crushed candy cane bits are nice at Christmas.)

(Am freezing these for Thanksgiving.)

We remember

We were (and still are at heart) a military family. Our kids were "Army Brats". One day driving past a wooded area on post, there was a unit involved in a field problem exercise. When our oldest daughter ( then 4) saw all of the guys in fatigues, she said "look at all of the daddies, mama!". Her daddy and all of her friend's daddies wore uniforms. Living and being on post seemed like the safest neighborhood in the world. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends of all of those lost in the senseless Ft. Hood tragedy.

On this Veteran's Day, we pay tribute to all who have served this country....we remember.
This is a post I published back in July.

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

~John 15:13

Here we go 'round the mulberry bush

This is the way we wash our clothes,

wash our clothes,

wash our clothes.

This is the way we wash our clothes,

so early Monday morning.

This stuff (and it's matching dryer sheets) smells soooo yummy. Keep out of the reach of children. Smells good enough to eat!
Washing lots of sicky germs away today.
Happy Monday everyone!

(Do you have a favorite laundry combo?)

The Weekend in a Nutshell

(google image desert candy)

NUTS

It was "game on"

Highest # loses

SCORE: 3 sick fatigued, adults, 2 well, bouncing off the wall, kidlets
Steaming bowls of homemade chicken soup
Lots of Kleenex Lotion Tissue

Being begged over & over, to listen to a kidzbop tune...
thanks heaps...
now it's swimming in my head...
May be the ONLY time Miley Cyrus and I
have ANYTHING in common....
now we both have annoying, breathy, nasal voices.

Today's Birthday Boy

There are a few people in this world, who actually put other people first. They are able to "be all things to all people". This is not peer pressure or mamby pamby we're talkin' about here....it is the rare quality of being flexible, and sensitive to others.

Today's birthday boy is one of those dear, special persons.

He is a garage sale buddy to my Dad, talks baseball and books, and dances with my Mom.

He wrestles, and plays swords, and light sabers with the grandkids.



He starts out playing soccer with the boys and ends up getting whipped up on by Kate.

She had to fight for it though!


He rides home from the coast with completely drenched pants, from chasing waves with granddaughters.

He weathers soccer games for 1st and 2nd graders, as though it were the pros.

The two on the left share their birthdays within a day of each other. The one in the middle is always good for reading a story, or tag readers, or a harmonica lesson, or giving tiny babies their 1st drink of ice water or cola from his glass.

He always gets the coffee ready the night before, so we can all have a cozy start to our day.

He will go around the block or pull over, even though anxious to get home from a trip, if his passenger exclaims "Oh, that would've made an awesome photo shot!".

He hums and sings while doing dishes.

I'm sorry girls, but I found him first.....and everone who knows him, is VERY glad i did. He is such a blessing to us all.

It's your birthday Sweetheart.....What would YOU like to do?

Happy "real" Birthday Sweetie!

We'll be celebrating this weekend, but just had to give a birthday shout!

This little man can be very, very, serious.....or as silly as silly can be, depending on his mood.
He is so smart, and has such a hunger for knowledge, it's unreal.
He's a wonderful companion to his kid brother, and a loving protector of his baby sister.
We love him soooo much.

Tea for Twos-day

Several years ago there was a quote in Victoria magazine that stuck with me:
Thank God for Tea! What would the world do without tea?
How did it exist?
I am glad I was not born before tea.
~ Rev. Sydney Smith
(now there is a man after my own heart!)

I mean, Mmmm, love that 1st cup of coffee in the morning, as much as anybody, but I'm a tea drinker from way back. In high school, we didn't have a bunch of chips and soda in the house; but there was ALWAYS saltines and tea. They were my comfort food. (my daughter Kate's too, over her late night homework)

When Jim and I were first married, and lived in Monterey California, I was missing "home" and family. He took me down to Cannery Row, and we bought some bulk peppermint tea. Why that? Because, my Dad was a manager of a peppermint farm in Oregon and always came home from work smelling like mint. The valley
used to be filled with mint farms. I miss them.
I've always enjoyed thrifting, and repurposing things. You know those wooden stands that hold a glass tobacco jar and have places for pipes? I kept my treasured peppermint tea in the jar, and placed teaspoons in the pipe holders, on the counter near the tea kettle.

Recently, found this cozy flannel and couldn't resist getting it to sew into some laze around PJ pants for myself.

I take my tea very seriously. No pinkie finger extended, that would mean dropping my "bigger than Texas" tea cup. No dainty cups.
I love a good stout Irish Breakfast Tea.
If you can see the bottom of the cup...it's not strong enough. and make that 2 spoons on the sugar please. And they can't be too level or too heaping....I'm a bit like Goldilocks that way.

When the fall weather comes, our Georgia crockery Sweet Tea pitcher is put away.
A tall cup of Chai is a late morning or early afternoon treat. It brings back fond memories of Kanta Patel making it for me in her kitchen in Germany. Prior to that day, I had occasionally tried a bit of milk in tea; but found it too watery and weak to suit me. I had never seen anyone steep tea bags in milk on the stove before. It was sweet, rich, and lovely.
It also brings back, dropping in on a fall morning to the "Soda Shoppe", and Kati making me a lovely Soy Pacific Chai, as only she can....the best!

I usually get pot refills on green tea when we go for Chinese or Thai food.

One of the nicest parts of the meal. Jasmine is my favorite.

White tea is lovely too. I just discovered it a couple of years ago. It truly is "smooth". Have you tried it?

When I was pregnant, it was a nightly ritual to have a calming cup of chamomile, or Celestial Seasonings "sleepytime", or Bigelows "sweet dreams". It's a fond memory that I have of relaxing and awaiting each new child.

Often when Dot and I call one another, one of us will say "I've got my cup of tea", and the other says "me too", which usually means we're prepared for a good long relaxing chat. It's a joy we share, and makes us feel closer, even though we're in separate states.

Do you have a favorite tea?

A tea ritual, or memory?

Monday House of Mirrors

We live in one of those amusement park house of mirrors. You know, the ones that distort everything?
Why else would I look into a mirror, and all of the sudden a greying old lady with a double chin be looking back at me?

I am not amused.

Even though I don't enjoy looking into them anymore; I still find them lovely to look AT.

When clean, they are like sparkly, pretty pieces of jewelry for the wall.

Perusing magazines, and catalogs from Pottery Barn, Rejuvenation, etc. I see a style I like and want for our home, but their prices are not in our budget. It's fun problem solving, and figuring out how to replicate the style for mucho less $. (HGTV had a show like that...but some of their ventures were more successful than others)

Our bathroom medicine cabinet had a large tri-mirror-door, with 80's oak frame. When we took out the clunky oak vanity, and put in the pedestal sink, I had painted the frame white. I still hated the thing. The interior was metal and rusty. I wanted something more in keeping with our more than a century old farmhouse.

Here is the med cabinet I liked:

(from Rejuvenation)

Here is what I built instead:

I got an el' cheapy "box" from Target (they don't show it on line anymore) and retrofitted it, and adding framing and mouldings, made it fit our space.

As I said...this is one old house. The bathroom is like that poem of the little crooked man with the little crooked house. It's got a narrow passage going past the sink to the tub area. This picture actually looks roomier than it is.

I'm not actually a fan of mirrored walls, but this above the wainscoting really opened up the area visually, and has the added benefit of being able to see the back of your head from the sink mirror.

I thought this mirror grouping was lovely :

(from Pottery Barn)


I found reasonable facsimilies at Target for a fraction of the cost.

Off came the satin bows and in their place, added inexpensive "aged" chain,

hanging them from re-purposed glass kitchen knobs.

They hang above my vanity (which doubles as my nightstand).


We had a beautiful mirror that fit my dresser. It was vintage '40's.

With our sloped bedroom ceilings, it didn't fit anymore. We gave it to my sister, and I'm happy that she loves it just as much as I did.

Our lovely bedroom set had taken quite the beating with our many moves, and required repairs that required painting, not staining. It seemed like a great time to make a mirror to fit.

I used the beveled door mirror I had bought at Target when I got the small ones.

I built a frame for it out of similar moulding that had been on our original.

(I've posted about this particular mirror before, here.)
The paint is Sherwin Williams "Black Bean".

It's a very dark espresso brown.

And now for the piece de resistance'

a true fairy tale

Once upon a dandelion, many long years ago....20, give or take....

There was a wife who convinced her husband that she just HAD to have a pair of vintage armoire doors from a local junk store. There was no armoire to accompany them you understand, but that would be no problem....she would build one.

Every so often, the husband would be fishing under the bed for a wayward shoe, and he would.... not be happy.

Over time, they had their scripts memorized beautifully.
He would express his desire to be rid of the monstrosities that she obviously was NOT going to get an armoire built for, or at least let them be moved to the barn loft.

She would exclaim in horror that they would never survive the moisture there, and promise to be better about vacuuming the dust bunnies under the bed.

(All the while, critical of the dust ruffle which CLEARLY was not doing it's job)

One day as the couple was involved in a MBR makeover, and everything was removed from the room.....

It took 20 years, give or take but...

The wife reached a conclusion.

She was never going to build the armoire.

There was not room for one if she did.

Being the control freak that she was:

She wasn't one to let dreams die easily.

These are REALLY heavy.

We first mounted horizontal boards,

top and bottom to the studs.

Then we attached the doors with screws and washers to them.

I used the polyshades finish on them to mask them, so you hardly notice them.
Though not anything I would use on a valuable antique, Polyshades is a great product. It covers imperfections with the appearance of a wood finish stain/varnish. So if you have a thrifted find that you want a "wood" not "paint" look on, but need some help covering unwanted imperfections, give it try. (I'll share more about it in future post)

Even though they weren't in the barn loft, the years had been less than kind.

(Probably all of the dust)

There were more chips in the veneer than I remembered, a piece of the decorative carving had gotten broken off and was saved in my top drawer, alongside the

2 pieces of broken mirror that had been saved since we bought it. (They had been duct-taped on.) All of these treasures were painstakenly re-attached.

Fortunately the mirror pieces were up high, and easily disguised, with a few reproduction vintage postcards and pictures.

OH my lovelies, you were SO well worth waiting for.

Even the husband likes you.
I just LOVE happy endings.

A Face Lift

Recently, I've happened upon people around town,who I haven't seen in quite awhile. It is amazing the marked difference in their countenance. Some have had the drip, drip, drip, of life's irritations and troubles snuff out their sparkle and light. Other's who had previously seemed tired and washed out, still have a very "full plate" but now, seem rejuvenated.

All of us have things to deal with. Some days are easier than others.

There are those days, when we feel overwhelmed.

There are days when we want to change our name.

Truth be told, sometimes there are days when we want to join the witness protection program and leave town...alone.
But we don't have to go that far.....


Jesus came for these days.

He said: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". Matthew 11:28

As it turns out, the difference in my friend's countenances, was in correlation with how much of the load they were trying to carry by themself, and how much of the load they had turned over to Him.

Go to Jesus......take a load off.....sit a spell....and rest.