tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254717285657968952024-03-06T22:34:17.548-05:00Kathys CottageKathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.comBlogger897125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-54638923521409300412020-10-13T13:39:00.001-05:002020-10-13T13:39:20.183-05:00A Fond Farewell<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4RddMljHk5xnyjFrt3_PEoTbuecaikYlFVu6TrvyISaytY9QVk_RxzU_FDMaH3Z0VZPvXswUYTHZR51z3qO3WnlgQu6cD7JLv4UR3pTmE_DyYJXV8cYN00DqwG24glqaPmIb6Eh5cuo/s603/blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="602" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4RddMljHk5xnyjFrt3_PEoTbuecaikYlFVu6TrvyISaytY9QVk_RxzU_FDMaH3Z0VZPvXswUYTHZR51z3qO3WnlgQu6cD7JLv4UR3pTmE_DyYJXV8cYN00DqwG24glqaPmIb6Eh5cuo/w458-h459/blog.JPG" width="458" /></a></div><br /> Well, I went and did something I said I would never do. I just disappeared with no explanation. Sorry about that. It's been almost 2 years since I posted here. There are a few reasons for my absence. First, I moved to Instagram, posting a quick photo and short post appealed to the lazy side of my nature. I found a lot of my old blogging friends there and this little blog seemed somehow redundant and so much more trouble. <p></p><p> I think I also lost interest in blogging. It has changed so very much since that first day in 2007 when I sat down to write my first post. Remember when we gave away tea cups and aprons and just sweet little items that weren't expensive? Well, with the advent of the "influencer" things got more material. Big money, huge prizes and sponsored give aways just made those first sweet day brightening packages seem so inconsequential. Things started to seem more material and competitive. I admit, it eventually took some of the fun out of it. </p><p>At any rate, Thank you for all the years of sharing our lives and if anyone sees this 2 years later, just know I still think of many of you, you are friends. If you ever want to say hello, I'm over on Instagram under the same name. Kathyscottage. Thanks for all the years of aprons, decorating, and tea cup sharing. Barbara, I still use your crab apple jelly recipe, Penny, I still look in on you and I'm glad we haven't lost touch. BJ, Adrienne, Stacey, Patty, Becky, Julie and so many others, I'll see you over on IG.</p><p>Sending love and gratitude your way for all the years and all the joy we shared here at Kathy's Cottage.</p><p>💕</p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-1810394682880466272018-11-26T12:34:00.000-05:002018-11-26T12:34:55.054-05:00Mac N Cheese<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a lovely Thanksgiving did you? Very low key, all the usual food, my only sorrow being that for the first time since she got married my Pennsylvania daughter wasn't here because now she is my Oklahoma daughter and golly, why is she even further away? It was a full weekend, and now I'm just trying to catch up on the laundry, housework and all the things that need to be done this week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also woke up to the beginning of a snowstorm. It has been snowing nonstop since at least 5 a.m. and is supposed to keep going right through the early afternoon. It hasn't reached the epic (Grab the milk! Grab the Bread! Grab the water!) proportions that the overexcited weather person was predicting but they always seem to predict snowmageddon and then we get a sprinkling that doesn't even slow us Michiganders down. We laugh in the face of snow. Ha! And then most of us flee to Florida for the winter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not me. I'm no lily livered snowbird. I may hate the cold and the dark, but I will prevail. I may kiss the budding earth in the Spring, but I have earned my joy by braving old man winter at his meanest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I was looking out at the swirling white this morning and was suddenly overcome with the urge to have some Mac and Cheese for lunch. I almost never make it because, hello, it's super fattening. But as I said, I was overcome. So I went on Pinterest to find a recipe and came across <b style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/fannie-farmers-classic-baked-macaroni-cheese-135350" target="_blank">Fannie Farmers Classic baked Mac and Cheese.</a> </b>I checked the pantry and found I had all the ingredients and I got to work. Can someone tell me why a mac and cheese recipe would only use half a box of pasta? I hate half a box of anything. It just seems to sit on the shelf making you wonder if it has gone stale. Nevertheless, I used the 8 ozs. as directed and it certainly made more than enough for the two of us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vaz-cIoIFhGoVFvniN3h46QVLkCYlS7uaxPw1UYH81ViK7onq7MyYkq1cfxE4D_65NallEcc0_xsJeChAtmk0QUus9x5yBrlQltuOG1HSHfK_T_umik7MyrM-A3p4NyVjmOzZXPkmqw/s1600/DSC00233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="1600" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vaz-cIoIFhGoVFvniN3h46QVLkCYlS7uaxPw1UYH81ViK7onq7MyYkq1cfxE4D_65NallEcc0_xsJeChAtmk0QUus9x5yBrlQltuOG1HSHfK_T_umik7MyrM-A3p4NyVjmOzZXPkmqw/s640/DSC00233.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm eating some right now, watching the snow swirl and putting off the housework that is calling my name. It is decadent but I've been pretty good most of my life so I may be able to eat more mac and cheese right up until I slide into home plate in heaven in 30 or 40 years. And if I don't last that long, at least I ate more mac and cheese, right? ;) <br />
<br />
I hope you all had a great holiday, we are officially into the Christmas season now and no, I am not going to say how many days. That just tenses me up does it do that to you? </div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-42742780097319488232018-11-13T11:02:00.000-05:002018-11-13T11:12:29.436-05:00It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Winter. It's been snowing on and off this morning and the yard looks like this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPJSX8R7l0UefgvO4vGQWsuWgy5cjvdtPa9DZ8_d-hRiBudirF7caCGEUtvqfbrJbD3qQ1eOY9ZhyphenhyphenIwlKkrPeg-gTeR05q64sII4ajRD9rjOQoL7PSpr9JGTYEivcuUsUdgPAlM12aXA/s1600/DSC00168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1271" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPJSX8R7l0UefgvO4vGQWsuWgy5cjvdtPa9DZ8_d-hRiBudirF7caCGEUtvqfbrJbD3qQ1eOY9ZhyphenhyphenIwlKkrPeg-gTeR05q64sII4ajRD9rjOQoL7PSpr9JGTYEivcuUsUdgPAlM12aXA/s640/DSC00168.JPG" width="508" /></a></div>
<br />
Kind of pretty, but I still need to get the now frozen mums off the porch and change the wreath on the front door. We did have a full 3 minutes of bright sunshine this morning and I was able to grab my camera in time to take some photos. Still not the best, I think this old camera of mine is ready for a replacement, and I hear Santa has a new one in mind for me this year ;) This is a sneak peek at the buffet in the living room, a runner, lighted garland and some candles and I stood back and loved how clean and uncluttered it looked. Still festive, but less junk everywhere.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqnyDTaiXgLRxWWcl7KztUwXpCYkOaD1VRCGb8JWbfCF6btS2TQuKUnmrsFUCUFxZr2Q_5rRBpcgv7rbdXqEi6fRwrDfJhQ_F2B2pKf5FDXIYy9uADsQ5pLz_FqDWI4F5cX7sKGN4VWg/s1600/DSC00158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1204" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqnyDTaiXgLRxWWcl7KztUwXpCYkOaD1VRCGb8JWbfCF6btS2TQuKUnmrsFUCUFxZr2Q_5rRBpcgv7rbdXqEi6fRwrDfJhQ_F2B2pKf5FDXIYy9uADsQ5pLz_FqDWI4F5cX7sKGN4VWg/s640/DSC00158.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
One of the things I have been noticing since the kids have flown the nest is that my Christmas decorating has changed. I'm decorating earlier, and my strategy is to put out the basics in greenery and lights so there is a little sparkle in these dark days but it doesn't scream Christmas yet. I am enjoying bringing one thing at a time up and not feeling the pressure to do it all at once. I am also looking at a simpler Christmas this year. I have tons of sparkly baubles that I have collected over the years and I know a good portion of them will stay on the storage shelf.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnssdbw824yzGlJOxYfZBP5RNdqP5BtGqQDMUo3Mn6mRiCPmyVoCR50EEF35SD1JKgOZugvAN8-Xc9wzDzEGQ6pPjoolgZFL7ythdsPbT84KDwA5DQodTykjs_DXPMk2vMAvMGQQHhYYc/s1600/DSC00164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnssdbw824yzGlJOxYfZBP5RNdqP5BtGqQDMUo3Mn6mRiCPmyVoCR50EEF35SD1JKgOZugvAN8-Xc9wzDzEGQ6pPjoolgZFL7ythdsPbT84KDwA5DQodTykjs_DXPMk2vMAvMGQQHhYYc/s640/DSC00164.JPG" width="408" /></a></div>
I plopped a few fairly neutral things on the kitchen shelves, they look wintery, sparkly, festive, and again, they give me a cleaner feel than the bright decorations I have used in the past.<br />
<br />
Hind sight being 20/20 as they say, if I could give advice on decorating to anyone starting out, it would be the following:<br />
<br />
1. Invest in the best basics you can afford, the faux green garlands (you won't be sweeping up dead needles for months), and lights. These are the things you will use for years and in many different ways. On mantles, tables, staircases, you name it. I love the battery operated seed lights for places that are not close to an outlet and they often come with a remote so they can be set on a timer or turned on and off with a point and click.<br />
<br />
2. Beautiful ribbon is cheap and can be used for the tree, twined in swags of greenery or used for gifts. I have some ribbon that is years old, it gets used for a few weeks a year and then I just fold it back up and store it in a bin.<br />
<br />
3. Shop those clearance sales at the end of the year! I got a cute pillow last year at Kirklands for $5. Most of my ribbon has been purchased after Christmas at 90% off. I have boxes of lights purchased for 59 cents at Home Depot after the holidays! There are ridiculous low prices in these sales and every year I get a pleasant surprise as I open my storage bins and find the pretty things I forgot I purchased on sale.<br />
<br />
4. Decorate with what you love, but once you have moved on purge! Things go out of style. Tastes change. Take it from someone who has 38 years worth of ornaments in her basement! I no longer love some of them, but I'm fighting the sentimentality anxiety in getting rid of them. You don't want to do that to yourself. Save the things you really love. The sweet ornaments your kids make, the ones handed down from a grandparents tree, whatever you love. The rest? Donate. Sell. Get them out of your house! Give yourself permission to make new traditions that put the excitement back in your decorating!<br />
<br />
5. But remember that every piece is purchased with hours of your life. That's a good one to remember for every purchase you make, but especially for decorative items that will go out of style and eventually end up at Salvation Army. So many of us look to blogs and instagram for inspiration in our decorating, just remember that a lot of those style makers are paid to have a totally new look every year. They are the new age of advertising and it is their job to make you want what you see. Christmas can be pricey enough with the food, parties, and gifts. Add in the latest decorating theme and you can go broke with items you will be "inspired" to upgrade or replace next year. I like to look at instagram to see how the style makers use what they have. In table settings, in moving items from one room to another, and yes to see what's new. But if something is a trend (black and white buffalo plaid this year) I turn away. I don't want my decorating to look like everyone elses! Where is the fun in that?<br />
<br />
6. Don't bother with allll the extras like holiday dish towels, hand towels for the bathroom and other small items unless you love finding them in the laundry a week after you have packed everything away. for as little use as they get, they look dated and used really fast and just add a lot of work and hassle switching them out. If you don;t mind or love those little touches, go for it! I just found they weren't worth it for me.<br />
<br />
I would love to hear any advice you have for Christmas decorating too! What have you learned over the years? How has your style/taste changed?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-65925403954648228342018-11-08T13:12:00.000-05:002018-11-08T13:12:05.923-05:00Christmas Peeking In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN3gF1l4IxbCKFES8ERUnnzEaWM3IawybD2dyEhxf_oKW-pH3HztG3ek1KtzpBdiiWStZ01GHTMhro2sQVSeKzoXNhsLnVLwGq69K3L7CvVAQUVYxjjY91TMmuPJYlGBrliF7yIKNEUg/s1600/DSC00153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1581" data-original-width="1600" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN3gF1l4IxbCKFES8ERUnnzEaWM3IawybD2dyEhxf_oKW-pH3HztG3ek1KtzpBdiiWStZ01GHTMhro2sQVSeKzoXNhsLnVLwGq69K3L7CvVAQUVYxjjY91TMmuPJYlGBrliF7yIKNEUg/s640/DSC00153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I used to be pretty adamant that Christmas decorating did not begin until after Thanksgiving. It was always a rush to get it done on that busy weekend and always with the thought that I would only have a few weeks to enjoy it. I have changed my ways. I find that getting it done over time in November frees up my busy Thanksgiving weekend, takes the pressure off to haul everything up at once and best of all, allows me to enjoy the Christmas season without the pressure and mess. <br />
I would never try to talk anyone out of waiting, I believe we should do what works best for ourselves, so I'm not trying to convert anyone, just telling you what works for me. This dark little corner library table needed some light, especially now that it gets dark at 5 p.m.! So I brought up an assortment of trees and some twinkle lights and made it happen. <br />
<br />
The little wooden church was made by my husband's great (great great?) grandfather and it is a replica of the original free Methodist church that he helped build in the little town where my husband grew up, and which is still standing. Over the years the church built a bigger building and I happened to be there for a big church clean out day. This little church had been in a storage room and was headed to the dumpster. I loved it so I asked for it, not knowing it's family history. When my mother in law saw it she told me where it came from and I was so happy that I had saved it from being thrown away!<br />
<br />
Are you gearing up for Christmas decorating or waiting until Thanksgiving is over? We are doing some traveling this year around the holidays so I am even more inspired to get the decorating finished so it is in place for the season :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-42405059223506479722018-10-29T10:27:00.000-05:002018-10-29T10:27:22.656-05:00Here We Go...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you so much for the welcome back messages on my previous post! It warmed my heart, I honestly didn't know if there would be anyone here when I returned. I tried to answer all of your comments, but if you didn't get an email it's because you came through as no-reply blogger, meaning</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
you need to change your settings to accept emails. I appreciate the encouragement I received so much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm going to give just a few highlights of my spring and summer today to get you caught up. If you follow me in instagram you may have already seen some of these, but for those of you who aren't on that platform, this is for you :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You may remember that last fall I painted the back wall in the kitchen with blackboard paint. I had it on hand and was itching for a change and since I am prone to wake up some days full of determination to change SOMETHING, and since it was fall and the days were getting dark and moody I took the plunge. I liked it, I really did, until spring when it just seemed too dark.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUPcGDzQyB2Mf87aShgQaLFR6wbxitUHwMKWdzV2Fi3AQb0gyTZxSj1ldRZ9lvwaeVRa7kgnU505efG5dp9OXP20ccA6ZRhh0QSoPWsCRgPALCiN1VMpCvGTklSeNjOBnywaqv9ISAvE/s1600/DSC08821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUPcGDzQyB2Mf87aShgQaLFR6wbxitUHwMKWdzV2Fi3AQb0gyTZxSj1ldRZ9lvwaeVRa7kgnU505efG5dp9OXP20ccA6ZRhh0QSoPWsCRgPALCiN1VMpCvGTklSeNjOBnywaqv9ISAvE/s640/DSC08821.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
So I grabbed some wallpaper online and lightened things up. This is a Joanna Gaines paper and I did this area with one roll. It was touch and go but I made it work, and I love how much lighter and brighter it looks. I also decided to paint the pantry cupboard a glossy black as an accent and I love that one touch of dark in my white kitchen. Who knows what I'll do next, but I think this will be staying for a while. I love it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnehpuVdPrZf8gBFB4Xu0rw8uIW-3-4ztHql4TRpYFgiGaFE-LKuKgTBLDLQfdbT1SFtsjHjN4Avz06LQEThfgjtw-6XjOLK1O89rvX-aCXfvtFIA3Zk66WIF9KMNkGuPMesBFscW2YnE/s1600/DSC09863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnehpuVdPrZf8gBFB4Xu0rw8uIW-3-4ztHql4TRpYFgiGaFE-LKuKgTBLDLQfdbT1SFtsjHjN4Avz06LQEThfgjtw-6XjOLK1O89rvX-aCXfvtFIA3Zk66WIF9KMNkGuPMesBFscW2YnE/s640/DSC09863.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
Earl took up beekeeping this summer and it has been so fascinating! I have gone out to help him a couple times. Fully suited up because I'm, (ahem) allergic, as in epipen allergic. As I said, I have the head to toe gear and I have been amazed that the bees are calm and friendly. Earl often doesn't bother with full gear. This is him and his Uncle harvesting the frames a few weeks ago to extract the honey.<br />
We got around 30 lbs. this year! Having our own honey is fun and just feels special. Did you know some of the honey in the grocery store has added fructose, or sugar water? I found that out recently and it made me even more happy that we have our own and know it isn't adulterated. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhZhZetMNlVI1mFsT4axdqLX3MezbLuPgbWtE8qEQPwpG8b0XhfhJRYDQ91DReQb49Ac8Wjt8voshxkFuhiTAD1aCpt1FgYE8Qwjpaup8co7CL14K0oIHAt_0y1DEN9KPaYQcg5pfj9o/s1600/b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhZhZetMNlVI1mFsT4axdqLX3MezbLuPgbWtE8qEQPwpG8b0XhfhJRYDQ91DReQb49Ac8Wjt8voshxkFuhiTAD1aCpt1FgYE8Qwjpaup8co7CL14K0oIHAt_0y1DEN9KPaYQcg5pfj9o/s640/b.JPG" width="632" /></a></div>
This little peanut has been keeping me busy. I see my darling every week. Even with a broken arm and surgery our weekly visits continued thanks to her mom bringing her to see me. I had to have someone put her in my arms but she was happy to cuddle and I was so happy to have her! She turns 1 year old next month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRszGcUgg4wdxJbRT9KzSg4LdkMQ62fcx8W8BZQKIhCXLOD_xGjuf7fX_4flWEb7xTiRRMBA9cWSi0PIGue29peNCn-0TguxdlxfULHy_BMzaxrs5ZbV54iz8uYJkcDhN_XnpDiIBS3Q/s1600/DSC09987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRszGcUgg4wdxJbRT9KzSg4LdkMQ62fcx8W8BZQKIhCXLOD_xGjuf7fX_4flWEb7xTiRRMBA9cWSi0PIGue29peNCn-0TguxdlxfULHy_BMzaxrs5ZbV54iz8uYJkcDhN_XnpDiIBS3Q/s640/DSC09987.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
She has changed so much in such a short time! This is Clara and her Aunt Lauren in May. Lauren came home for a birthday visit and Clara slept over so she could have some quality time with her Aunt. She adores her Aunt and Uncle even though they live far away and she doesn't see them much.<br />
And of course, they adore her!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlEn1fug5rZ5Yk_KxaezdpTNzagbtoAiPa-ui7bt-JnDz-ir4IO0uV3JVZxywLrumcmZv2IlKLClQstMFe0mZ6Uv5Uz0p18zSt7eLWS57y4nDnnECdJInxGJYEPxfC9zguhQYpAEJ-wc/s1600/31963862_10155516804858321_2095506546489294848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlEn1fug5rZ5Yk_KxaezdpTNzagbtoAiPa-ui7bt-JnDz-ir4IO0uV3JVZxywLrumcmZv2IlKLClQstMFe0mZ6Uv5Uz0p18zSt7eLWS57y4nDnnECdJInxGJYEPxfC9zguhQYpAEJ-wc/s640/31963862_10155516804858321_2095506546489294848_n.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love, love, love this baby. This grandparent thing is the bomb! I'll try to reign it in but oh my goodness the love is overwhelming. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So that was my summer (minus the boring recovery bits), tell me what the highlights of your summer were!</div>
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-49270285854867824162018-10-26T14:24:00.000-05:002018-10-26T14:48:01.283-05:00And she's back....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN39-vMq6nBgbqJ3sPYOV6rXYxIjkWJAKXgkxKuaSkGl-DwxLZ72JPyOP-JXVGHV50wGzZBLYQMabbFU5ZEGliQqUMhaK2ZtX4te0DDIk-PiEVX0GMb4NBKa3Kywhm1k4pbSTtss70FcY/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN39-vMq6nBgbqJ3sPYOV6rXYxIjkWJAKXgkxKuaSkGl-DwxLZ72JPyOP-JXVGHV50wGzZBLYQMabbFU5ZEGliQqUMhaK2ZtX4te0DDIk-PiEVX0GMb4NBKa3Kywhm1k4pbSTtss70FcY/s640/Capture.JPG" width="524" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Whew! It's been a while hasn't it? Did you think I dropped off the face of the earth? Nope, here I am, again. It's been March since I posted and to be truthful I've wondered if I would ever come back to this little corner. I got busy with Spring, you all know it's my favorite right? Planting the garden, visiting my darling grandbaby, and a trip to Pennsylvania to hang out with my far away daughter and son in law for a week. It was a happy and busy Spring and I just kind of felt burned out here. I have been posting since 2007, and was wondering where it was all going. Hadn't I pretty much said everything? And of course once you get out of the habit, it's easy to stay out of the habit.<br />
<br />
Also, on July 7 I was racing around the kitchen and tripped on the dishwasher door I had left open. That ended in a fractured humerus (upper arm near my shoulder), and 2 weeks after that I had major surgery. To say most of my summer was a blur would be totally accurate. I'm healed, feeling great and have finished rehab for my shoulder so all is well, but July through September were pretty much lost. I was, however, still able to hold that precious baby grand of mine :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_V_8lxHNp-a4Y7Z7OTzfR36S_kY9DRoFvLGiG9p0BLVANqhSN9ZcuXN2Dj_nKExpiuKiVjrnmUi5zx6R43mZcuWOJCO7LLveg5S-dxTTmLAVabjg5VNwUtX-8_8VdpPK5bKwXjDaSh0/s1600/arm1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="601" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_V_8lxHNp-a4Y7Z7OTzfR36S_kY9DRoFvLGiG9p0BLVANqhSN9ZcuXN2Dj_nKExpiuKiVjrnmUi5zx6R43mZcuWOJCO7LLveg5S-dxTTmLAVabjg5VNwUtX-8_8VdpPK5bKwXjDaSh0/s640/arm1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So that's the long story condensed. I'm still not sure how long I will keep posting here. Maybe once I get back into it some fresh inspiration will strike. I kind of feel like blogs are dying though. Do you? How many of my friends are still out there blogging? Can you give me a shout and tell me where you think it's all heading? I have been posting on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kathyscottage/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">instagram</span></a>, I have to say it's a whole lot easier, faster and less time consuming.<br />
<br />
If you're reading this give me shout. Is anyone even going to see this anymore? Here's hoping :)<br />
If we've lost touch I would love to hear what you did with your summer too!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-48169803969486587342018-03-02T13:34:00.000-05:002018-03-02T13:34:19.941-05:00Hoarding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I realized this morning that I may be a hoarder. Since we had a lovely Spring snowstorm yesterday, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(I think it looks like about 8" out there! Happy Spring!) I decided I would do some cleaning and organizing and try to avoid looking out side until the snow has melted. I changed the sheets on our bed and then realized what a terrible mess the basket of pillow cases was and decided to iron and sort them. I take out the ones that have developed holes or that need a good soak but I really wanted to get rid of some that I know I don't use. As I ironed I remembered a drawer in my bedroom that had some cases in and dug those out. And it was then that I realized I might be a hoarder. I've been collecting these most of my married life. They were found at yard and estate sales for pennies. Some were horribly stained and so cheap it was worth the effort to try to whiten them up again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDQFM-ZNpVnvEnpkur97FemqydvayBNdkVkHHR4_k9mS15sumpzJoYLBvBe7ObpUUogsaTOINZwHb-o-JIXIhOMs4R11XXxQ86EdUFXWE2TomKV6s7qGBAwDdvAmTlPs0sPUE1jRYh54/s1600/DSC09531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDQFM-ZNpVnvEnpkur97FemqydvayBNdkVkHHR4_k9mS15sumpzJoYLBvBe7ObpUUogsaTOINZwHb-o-JIXIhOMs4R11XXxQ86EdUFXWE2TomKV6s7qGBAwDdvAmTlPs0sPUE1jRYh54/s640/DSC09531.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Others were just fine, never used because the previous owners didn't want to ruin them or didn't like them. For future reference I have found many vintage linens stained brown from years of use and a good soak in BIZ (the powder, not the liquid) takes that brown stain right out. Sometimes there is only one of the set but I find them very easy to mix and match.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
At any rate, it's time to stop collecting. I actually have a dresser in my bedroom that is filled with nothing but vintage linens. Embroidered dish towels, linen towels, and vintage trims. There are also several baskets squirreled on shelves,<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (there might be more in bins in the basement,cough cough.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
37 years of collecting will sneak up on you and it is clearly time to sell, give away and donate. I need to let go for my own sanity. The cases shown here are just the tip of the iceberg I assure you. A very small tip on a rather large iceberg.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CGZyNtjsa4jFZWP-Wbn8c5LHSehuNLzoHRSRsASJ2QDLMleEa3c1t4wF9rPfW4J-brEi29O3LvL8RF2eEB6GMP6FJolnY5Da3C9P5ADjXMVyerscxbWWJ7wjt4SZQZtn4rW83zzWqu0/s1600/DSC09543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CGZyNtjsa4jFZWP-Wbn8c5LHSehuNLzoHRSRsASJ2QDLMleEa3c1t4wF9rPfW4J-brEi29O3LvL8RF2eEB6GMP6FJolnY5Da3C9P5ADjXMVyerscxbWWJ7wjt4SZQZtn4rW83zzWqu0/s640/DSC09543.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
I also wanted to tell you, I went to Hobby Lobby last week to look for some pillow covers for the living room. Now that everything is creamy white I need some colorful accents! I found some great deals on pillow covers. I made the the black ticking striped pillow cover below, but the floral cover came from Hobby Lobby and was marked down to $3.75. The flowers are embroidered so it even has a little texture. This is my new swivel/ rocker/ recliner that I got to rock my darling grand baby in. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7UJ7X1WvnHhkPCf6jfsTYAAy7VO20ymsjR5p36W6loYK9u5TacZiw5gt4el3DtdqqGyAs5KGGX2j0LrVldP4G965gKpGxtmJOBkhSRxVdxLqhvcwDP4mmcneK-6Q_KgwGILmnng_tn0/s1600/chaor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7UJ7X1WvnHhkPCf6jfsTYAAy7VO20ymsjR5p36W6loYK9u5TacZiw5gt4el3DtdqqGyAs5KGGX2j0LrVldP4G965gKpGxtmJOBkhSRxVdxLqhvcwDP4mmcneK-6Q_KgwGILmnng_tn0/s640/chaor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I could just eat her up I love her so. She is 3 months old and it has possibly been the happiest 3 months of my dog gone life. We all love her to the moon and back, and her Aunt Lauren is flying in next weekend from PA just to hold her for the weekend. Those cheeks...like butter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqK2X2Tdf3tVnqVWFsGlAZuhsZiHsAK4AEJ2J84SmTkWMfKLNMaCNd3LNRy9uvXbuNiQeqf-Y3-qhvb-isLJfofDSTTzk8HOSr1LYw3ZyaBq6F4K8O2Md4FKR2V9SBvscNaD70I8IMA4/s1600/Clara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="786" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqK2X2Tdf3tVnqVWFsGlAZuhsZiHsAK4AEJ2J84SmTkWMfKLNMaCNd3LNRy9uvXbuNiQeqf-Y3-qhvb-isLJfofDSTTzk8HOSr1LYw3ZyaBq6F4K8O2Md4FKR2V9SBvscNaD70I8IMA4/s640/Clara.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Now where was I? Oh yes, the pillow deals. I got the black and cream damask print covers below, for $2 each! I couldn't buy the zipper OR the fabric to make my own for that price, and they are really great quality, with hidden zippers and sturdy fabric. At those prices I can afford to change the pillows up whenever I want to. I'll be checking back each season for more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HOBHD11WfYtPGLk_N6LTINKvVWVcvng7mrYwN2l_IWR7rFWTfm6cIShvrwQbsykbwjr8wRVVMFwdvPthA4x3V2_6RY4m_WMxKTFE-Bj-o6juSU65HduzjeLgSWWSedo5G19KfZG0JsY/s1600/DSC09558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1600" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HOBHD11WfYtPGLk_N6LTINKvVWVcvng7mrYwN2l_IWR7rFWTfm6cIShvrwQbsykbwjr8wRVVMFwdvPthA4x3V2_6RY4m_WMxKTFE-Bj-o6juSU65HduzjeLgSWWSedo5G19KfZG0JsY/s640/DSC09558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
That's about all there is to catch up on. The thrill of getting my linen closet in order, snuggling baby, (which IS a thrill!) discount pillow covers, and waiting for the snow to melt. It's just a matter of time now. I feel like Spring is really here, and you KNOW how I love Spring :) </div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-91328875993822749762018-02-12T13:33:00.001-05:002018-02-12T13:33:48.636-05:00The Slipcover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am finally posting the love seat slip cover I finished last week. This is the first time I have attempted a slip cover and although it isn't perfect, I am pretty happy with it. I am especially happy that the project is over!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I will say, getting it done entailed a great deal of pacing, stress eating, procrastination and anxiety. Just because I attempt these big projects does not mean I am filled with confidence. I have learned to do things scared. But it isn't easy! I took small bites, and it helped that the door behind the love seat holds my sewing / craft room so it was close to the machine. The next thing I need to find is a more colorful oriental rug. I bought this beige one after putting in the wood floors. I thought it would be a good neutral. After this project I am at my neutral limit. I also pretty much hate this rug now, so the search is on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDJhD8yZuzmADov2NNfvz7RlrXnucDBhBU0e3AF59qsnU6TaBplv1u3-IQio3wgzUsEPwBCMnGq0UaXRSbPCXK-yqwUOtkStxx2kvR1q7itV4x44bsK3b7bz9Dc9ePvZA5jMMcjBFe5g/s1600/DSC09520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDJhD8yZuzmADov2NNfvz7RlrXnucDBhBU0e3AF59qsnU6TaBplv1u3-IQio3wgzUsEPwBCMnGq0UaXRSbPCXK-yqwUOtkStxx2kvR1q7itV4x44bsK3b7bz9Dc9ePvZA5jMMcjBFe5g/s640/DSC09520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I decided to go neutral with the furniture so I could change the accessories and pillow colors with the season. I am notoriously fickle when it comes to decorating. I like so many styles and colors. I need something I can change easily. These green pillow covers are feeding my need for green right now, (we just got a foot of snow this past weekend!) but I plan to add some more bright colors for Spring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This is a corner of the other side of the room. We found the library table at a yard sale and it was piled with old clothes. Earl asked if it was for sale and they showed us the $90 price tag and then offered it to us for $75. I couldn't get it to the car fast enough. It is in perfect condition, and came with a glass top. I have always loved these things and this one has some really pretty details.<br />
<br />
The sign was made by my youngest daughter for me for Christmas a few years ago, I love it! And the Boston fern came in from the porch when it got cold outside. It is a very messy plant, but I am so glad I have this lush green fern inside for the winter! This time of year I need real, live, green things.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFSPyyR31a993J8FHsktXSwuQ1caMv7OmbQBtEudOxkWRiYKgjYXJTRzYFJC60pIZ1bB5NoSvSoscUbFvuLrIL-R9BwqPMFKUsOM8wgwIAqip2siUD-5yBJ9BG7b8goarmw3pZzKSdCA/s1600/DSC09506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFSPyyR31a993J8FHsktXSwuQ1caMv7OmbQBtEudOxkWRiYKgjYXJTRzYFJC60pIZ1bB5NoSvSoscUbFvuLrIL-R9BwqPMFKUsOM8wgwIAqip2siUD-5yBJ9BG7b8goarmw3pZzKSdCA/s640/DSC09506.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The fluffy furry pillow covers and pom pom throw were Christmas gifts from my girls this year and they are so soft and fun, but they are about to get packed away for some fresh Spring covers. I'll look forward to getting them out again and enjoying the softness and texture they bring to the living room again next winter.<br />
<br />
The curtains are tablecloths I ordered online and used clips to hang them. They are actually the perfect length for curtains right out of the package and add a nice shot of intense color. And since I didn't spend a fortune on them (about $12!) I won't feel bad if I change them out later for something else. I did tell you I am fickle when it comes to decorating right?<br />
<br />
I hope you are all having a great Valentines week. Do you know this February marks my 11th year blogging? I can't believe I have lasted that long! A big thank you to all of you who have visited an commented, many of you have been friends for the entire 11 years and I treasure those friendships and the encouragement I have found here so much! Thank you for hanging with me and giving me love, encouragement and support all these years. It means so much. 💖💖💖<br />
<br />
Happy Valentines Day to you all!</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-3402719694491110442018-01-25T15:21:00.000-05:002018-01-25T15:24:02.341-05:00Procrastination, Projects and Recipes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Warning! Granny update! My darling granddaughter just turned two months old this week and it called for photos, as you may imagine. I am sure she is developing wrist rolls to go with her thigh rolls and I couldn't be more pleased. I found this adorable outfit at Target (maybe they should start sponsoring me?) and I had to have it, Isn't dressing little girls fun? Shameless grandmother share complete. 💖</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SN3uSQupJc_SHvOXbczzmvGCcS15wdFuCzwtkdushyphenhyphenyzgM9ZO___dBnzSGb5AQFBFc53Hc4_lukPwv3REhP3WUQMnuYnU9h1I02yFklGRKKqBvyFxwAiCWEUnfhpmhk39Ie5b_ha1Dw/s1600/2months.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SN3uSQupJc_SHvOXbczzmvGCcS15wdFuCzwtkdushyphenhyphenyzgM9ZO___dBnzSGb5AQFBFc53Hc4_lukPwv3REhP3WUQMnuYnU9h1I02yFklGRKKqBvyFxwAiCWEUnfhpmhk39Ie5b_ha1Dw/s640/2months.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This week I began the dreaded slipcover project that I have been planning for the last year. When it comes to things I don't want to do I tend to procrastinate. As in, sit on the sofa binge watching Netflix, or doing ANYTHING except the thing I do not want to do, while I think about the intricacies of whatever project I am dreading. Sometimes there is coffee and chocolate, it helps me think. At any rate, being the frugal person that I am, and having a perfectly comfortable but hideous piece of furniture that hurts my eyes every time I see it, I decided that I would slipcover it. If Miss Mustard Seed can do it so can I right? I mean, LOTS of people slipcover their furniture and I can sew and I am sure I can do this. I don't want to, but I can.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTU5ssPMpSLkvJvCuNb8KsveQEyEU3aXrd0TgK7DryAph04n6Z6NijLKp0iOuYHZnD82J0Oak4BNKk1-KY4lTtKmkKBWoC2BgLAS631p9Qtsi_jghi2gfYbzB3mTjZNBOd_PR762hXF-8/s1600/DSC05055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTU5ssPMpSLkvJvCuNb8KsveQEyEU3aXrd0TgK7DryAph04n6Z6NijLKp0iOuYHZnD82J0Oak4BNKk1-KY4lTtKmkKBWoC2BgLAS631p9Qtsi_jghi2gfYbzB3mTjZNBOd_PR762hXF-8/s640/DSC05055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempts to camouflage the red plaid love seat were not successful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So armed with 12 yards of creamy denim, I began. I am starting with the cushions because that seemed like the obvious place to begin. Results were not as planned.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUHp-vgdjeKdaRLgrFVgBb2MC1cJGexkKZzrovReHkmsOhF4jTWO8FARIScnKVrYSi-HxIKDQUU8nd9C_B15iXsCTJhQ0yG9JU4NtuhW_hFtUsXPtBYbVB8HCGT4Mlz3cS21iG6-YD8A/s1600/DSC09495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUHp-vgdjeKdaRLgrFVgBb2MC1cJGexkKZzrovReHkmsOhF4jTWO8FARIScnKVrYSi-HxIKDQUU8nd9C_B15iXsCTJhQ0yG9JU4NtuhW_hFtUsXPtBYbVB8HCGT4Mlz3cS21iG6-YD8A/s640/DSC09495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The cover is obviously too loose and I shudder at the thought of ripping it apart to redo it but that is what will happen, because I want to like this piece of furniture when I am done with this heinous task. Updates as I slog my way through this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Recipes</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just like many of you I have been trying to change to a more healthy way of eating. It's back to (mostly) low carb. I say mostly because, darn it, I am so tired of giving up EVERYTHING, following stringent eating plans for a while and then falling off the wagon. I just can't do that any more. I have a problem with sugar. Once I start I can't stop, and I have found that eating low carb / high fat fixes that for me. I am not as hungry, I slowly lose weight and I feel more satisfied. So what I do is eat low carb high fat for breakfast and lunch and then I make a healthy meal for the hubs and I for dinner. If we are going out, I'm not going to sweat it. If this is something I am going to do long term it has to be something that is not so stringent that I can never have a food group again. That's just silly and it doesn't work for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksI0pQ7sIqJY9Gmouofu_J-FjxOF6LuERFq87dIhuYpH7lIfFp5SJ2ABED51rMBaRm-CG9978yIBxG2xQexAn5E-dGnRNuHraz3uT5udGguMHPcgo1X-mLgwyps31b7O68HVMzl9c0Rc/s1600/spanish-chicken-with-chorizo-a-563b049556d55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="598" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksI0pQ7sIqJY9Gmouofu_J-FjxOF6LuERFq87dIhuYpH7lIfFp5SJ2ABED51rMBaRm-CG9978yIBxG2xQexAn5E-dGnRNuHraz3uT5udGguMHPcgo1X-mLgwyps31b7O68HVMzl9c0Rc/s640/spanish-chicken-with-chorizo-a-563b049556d55.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At any rate, Pinterest has been my friend and I have been making soups, and one pan meals that are delicious and good for me. One of those is <span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.nigella.com/recipes/spanish-chicken-with-chorizo-and-potatoes" target="_blank">Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes</a> </span>I will warn you, I have had chorizo before and it tastes fine, but I actually read the ingredients at the store when I went to get some this time and it's not pretty. If you want to use chorizo, DO NOT READ THE INGREDIENTS. I just made it impossible not to look didn't I? I'll tell you, chorizo is made with pig snouts. 😝 I used regular old pork sausage in mine and it was still fabulous. This makes a huge batch, but I happened to have a friend who had just gone through surgery so I split the recipe and gave her half. Perfect. Add some steamed green beans and you will be in hog heaven. This is super easy and delicious. I am also loving <b><a href="http://www.theclevercarrot.com/2013/05/dinner-tonight-mediterranean-baked-chicken/" target="_blank">Mediterranean Baked Chicken </a>, </b>and<b> </b><b><a href="https://www.yellowblissroad.com/tortellini-soup-with-italian-sausage-spinach/" target="_blank">Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Spinach</a>. </b>The soup is so delicious it has become a staple at many of my friends homes too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This slipcovering project may actually get me blogging again. I suddenly felt the need to write a post rather than sew. What makes you procrastinate?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-2641359519955374172018-01-15T11:46:00.003-05:002018-01-15T11:54:20.611-05:00Well Hello There!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bad blogger. That is all I can say. After almost 11 years of blogging I hit the wall, nothing there, no inspiration, no ambition, and apparently no posts. Of course I had some extenuating circumstances too.<br />
<br />
So where did we leave off? Oh yes, the trip to Petoskey. So much fun. And then of course it was Autumn and we played in the garden a bit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJpe4f4tx7T4tJopD488aFZwSKyj6cbab7LSnWpXKnOXh8Lxn-IOuCa6vBVZY4FpOQevCfiKWgr_Cm-bXeB4-JyA7vswF1e4isq4eIbOK6DFq2-2ywPsvcItcl1OvU0cnqZ6yN9EnPwk/s1600/veg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJpe4f4tx7T4tJopD488aFZwSKyj6cbab7LSnWpXKnOXh8Lxn-IOuCa6vBVZY4FpOQevCfiKWgr_Cm-bXeB4-JyA7vswF1e4isq4eIbOK6DFq2-2ywPsvcItcl1OvU0cnqZ6yN9EnPwk/s640/veg.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And then it got cold and blustery and snow fell.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWJtCMRailgUUBVj-qsDxA6FivOz3PZD7XtlveeRUZyw-tHeBLGIWNDGA6NgCSKOJCv4BfmNf-mVkXEGiYQO5vd9yrNOgmhePZ60whAmdyLb8sbX4SPKz5xoo7ZCxYfOpaGkcLFyN1f0/s1600/sno.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="602" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWJtCMRailgUUBVj-qsDxA6FivOz3PZD7XtlveeRUZyw-tHeBLGIWNDGA6NgCSKOJCv4BfmNf-mVkXEGiYQO5vd9yrNOgmhePZ60whAmdyLb8sbX4SPKz5xoo7ZCxYfOpaGkcLFyN1f0/s640/sno.JPG" width="636" /></a></div>
And then it was Thanksgiving and we had most of the family at our house for dinner. But first, Thanksgiving morning, this little peanut came into the world.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3SO5Ahl8sn4w-q73pkIRoKAqH17qrdWCJQJ3Qq0RQSMgj-5uz998DuxVQvNPYp3QXsv0hP1bROnD6CP7mKeuYS4d_N3dUQMW_VnwslLYVyYCfRWKTVmTAu7UE7rQ9RKNU6VGiwThj4A/s1600/gma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="600" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3SO5Ahl8sn4w-q73pkIRoKAqH17qrdWCJQJ3Qq0RQSMgj-5uz998DuxVQvNPYp3QXsv0hP1bROnD6CP7mKeuYS4d_N3dUQMW_VnwslLYVyYCfRWKTVmTAu7UE7rQ9RKNU6VGiwThj4A/s640/gma.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Clara Grace, 7 lbs. 6 ounces of the sweetest baby girl in the world. Well at least to us. You can see bliss all over my face as I cuddle that sleepy baby. She is everything, and I just can't get enough.<br />
<br />
Well, you can see how I might have been distracted from blogging for a while right? I mean, babies need to be cuddled, a lot, and preferably by grandparents as often as possible.<br />
<br />
Earl is head over heels in love too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NTSlGSb01FKM0t53ExT5aVIpwiU30oeuEfalwkIbwdLozJrfg6ENl4B12AjxlnFYpPXI9FssiBlZbLsNV-ZJprl0_7yY5L_c238jdnmaJx7SETPgZ4cY-zqj9PSdiVaBbKsi0TEW3sA/s1600/bb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NTSlGSb01FKM0t53ExT5aVIpwiU30oeuEfalwkIbwdLozJrfg6ENl4B12AjxlnFYpPXI9FssiBlZbLsNV-ZJprl0_7yY5L_c238jdnmaJx7SETPgZ4cY-zqj9PSdiVaBbKsi0TEW3sA/s640/bb.JPG" width="634" /></a></div>
And she has already grown so fast! Barely 6 weeks old and she went from this to....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFRbrPCkRLMh-VDCXRHZTC_72XF-KN2WcyrO6aNFkmThDzQnVBlIYZCGJaClDevcTjRiZ7sn1EgkGxv9DKpschVi8_CPbu3jY9T5fzCT5oPlCCIY4q840oHfABPw4vOe8Lt2FTSXHjCM/s1600/DSC09351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFRbrPCkRLMh-VDCXRHZTC_72XF-KN2WcyrO6aNFkmThDzQnVBlIYZCGJaClDevcTjRiZ7sn1EgkGxv9DKpschVi8_CPbu3jY9T5fzCT5oPlCCIY4q840oHfABPw4vOe8Lt2FTSXHjCM/s640/DSC09351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And now she's cooing and smiling, oh she's the smilingest baby you ever did see! I have to hold her at least once a week or I go into withdrawal. <br />
<br />
So that catches you up. This is where I have been and where I will, no doubt, continue to be. The future of the blog is in question because I don't want to completely overwhelm you with my grandchild photos, I know they don't hold the same magic for you that they do for me. And also, because for some reason, blogger keeps locking me out and I keep having to change the password to get back in. If I disappear completely it will be because blogger once and for all shut me out.<br />
<br />
I am going to try to get back in the groove, but things change you know? I've been a total lazy bum in getting caught up on my friends posts because...Clara. What can I say?<br />
<br />
Also, December was packed, I hosted a Women's Ministries dinner the first weekend of December, The second weekend was my brother's wedding, and then my darling daughter and her handsome hubby came and stayed with us for the week of Christmas. They live in Pennsylvania and hadn't been home for Christmas in 5 years!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4rHrHitht_8BjcUgq17p61DpEumfjDvrNnh8u9MtKbHhYZmj15R_fumV3QUeaF2VBvzlh1-I_JW-2amlq1owdM4x5GJ3ZESV9RyMQhq2yk78v_57e0CswsXzzSirqnNml8_QH9jt9k/s1600/lb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4rHrHitht_8BjcUgq17p61DpEumfjDvrNnh8u9MtKbHhYZmj15R_fumV3QUeaF2VBvzlh1-I_JW-2amlq1owdM4x5GJ3ZESV9RyMQhq2yk78v_57e0CswsXzzSirqnNml8_QH9jt9k/s640/lb.JPG" width="634" /></a></div>
Needless to say, that was all I needed under the tree. :)<br />
<br />
My goal for this week is to overhaul the old blog, it's looking dated and sad, get a new post out at least once a week, and to decorate cookies with Clara's mom Thursday, which I know will turn into play with Clara time and cookies may be eaten plain while we gaze into those bright blue eyes.<br />
<br />
One does what one must. If you want to be updated more regularly, come on over and follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kathyscottage/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>instagram</b></span></a>.<br />
<br />
I sure hope your New Year is well on it's way to being as spectacular as mine seems to be :) I'll see you all soon!</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-7715359641897355972017-10-04T15:30:00.001-05:002017-10-04T15:30:45.432-05:00Petoskey, Michigan Weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple weeks ago Earl and I got away for the weekend to Petoskey Michigan. In spite of being Michigan natives we weren't familiar with the area. Most of the time we avoid tourist areas, and anyone who lives in Michigan knows "Up North" is THE place to go in the summer months. Sunday traffic going south on the highways is horrible so we usually avoid it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This time, we decided it was off season and we would give it a try, so off we headed to Petoskey. We stayed at the Terrace Inn, a very old inn that is situated in an old United Methodist summer camp right on Lake Michigan. It has character galore. Good and bad things about it, as most old Inns have, but we really enjoyed our stay. Warning! My posts are not usually this long but there were so many beautiful old houses in this area I took a lot of photos!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Inn's dining room is absolutely beautiful. Chandeliers, white cloths on the table and a real feeling of days gone by. One of the things I wasn't crazy about was there was no central air in this building. Every room had it's own window air conditioner, and I am thankful for that because it was in the 80's and 90's while we were there. Definitely not typical for Northern Michigan in September! Since there was no air in the dining room or foyer of this hotel, the dining room was not filled as you would expect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk6RVvVjWKc3eUcgzbZM3vl7hNJN6i3pXXiUvxCYCDJ4xeBOHTswzNQOyoJxpNnVJQ3RYNe3oVRfI8p8WXhuX8w_lhyphenhyphen49FpsrEH4pEevx4EPxiDqpNbK68hHY4GvK2NzdAASO7a186dg/s1600/DSC08921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk6RVvVjWKc3eUcgzbZM3vl7hNJN6i3pXXiUvxCYCDJ4xeBOHTswzNQOyoJxpNnVJQ3RYNe3oVRfI8p8WXhuX8w_lhyphenhyphen49FpsrEH4pEevx4EPxiDqpNbK68hHY4GvK2NzdAASO7a186dg/s640/DSC08921.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This is the foyer of the Inn<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvL8hWP2u4As8jlwyk_TjPBkU06UDAk6UqYcCFpGjvJHHHdc8AkvDwCIx5LrEwvGGxONHTpb-8wbxZSDfY5VLOdMa3QfZpiYDYQ32wSXYCcTGHw6y1XU89ZcLt5e0cfngsMeGcCJ5G_E/s1600/DSC08925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvL8hWP2u4As8jlwyk_TjPBkU06UDAk6UqYcCFpGjvJHHHdc8AkvDwCIx5LrEwvGGxONHTpb-8wbxZSDfY5VLOdMa3QfZpiYDYQ32wSXYCcTGHw6y1XU89ZcLt5e0cfngsMeGcCJ5G_E/s640/DSC08925.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Instead, this is where we had breakfast and dinner, the back terrace with a view of Lake Michigan and the other glorious homes in this enclave. It was still hot but there was a gentle breeze that made it bearable. The first night we were there we decided to have dinner here and they had live acoustic guitar music. Very beautiful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHmys1SXJgslbpdHpAPrNaWI5gjbudjXIgRo6_TUTCOszlX2nQ0xW_pYc9Vu_ifRayKHICDV0WPDwtN1ov5neL3SYPlz15m67AmEPdkLDgyAhKWHK0EW90AXgHK47uvgRONB45yt1Opo/s1600/DSC09012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHmys1SXJgslbpdHpAPrNaWI5gjbudjXIgRo6_TUTCOszlX2nQ0xW_pYc9Vu_ifRayKHICDV0WPDwtN1ov5neL3SYPlz15m67AmEPdkLDgyAhKWHK0EW90AXgHK47uvgRONB45yt1Opo/s640/DSC09012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
After dinner we walked down through the surrounding Victorian houses to the beach of Lake Michigan just in time to see the sun setting over the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSU4DJUMitQEtYnOzdySU_mMZ3TBleHjtCq_ImB2SbdcdigUexzrGxwoojaaiUQEHJZmXd-DKQ8hPzl-itxhZA37bHTTQaWb7fUWxBnwPwFktiK8SyfIirgVQhSDT9Z3f-7VIUOv9DUDE/s1600/DSC08904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSU4DJUMitQEtYnOzdySU_mMZ3TBleHjtCq_ImB2SbdcdigUexzrGxwoojaaiUQEHJZmXd-DKQ8hPzl-itxhZA37bHTTQaWb7fUWxBnwPwFktiK8SyfIirgVQhSDT9Z3f-7VIUOv9DUDE/s640/DSC08904.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I took pictures while my sweetheart skipped stones.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedr2ZEb4GHkSQpvjk2r3lctK6EZGAXx-9TkYgKaO8TiCnyPBVRUJ5MVhPDEmitJZBHAn3CwpOimBQllLR_PGFwNqofRPpdXUUSlpZXgVXf0WZnRxLdzvtTSbk5TWgh4OiyZ8GIvxIE0U/s1600/DSC08908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedr2ZEb4GHkSQpvjk2r3lctK6EZGAXx-9TkYgKaO8TiCnyPBVRUJ5MVhPDEmitJZBHAn3CwpOimBQllLR_PGFwNqofRPpdXUUSlpZXgVXf0WZnRxLdzvtTSbk5TWgh4OiyZ8GIvxIE0U/s640/DSC08908.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
Love that man :) The next morning we walked through the old Methodist camp grounds. When I say camp grounds I don't mean dingy tents and bunk houses. These were summer mansions. That's my kind of camping!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PTEGhbj0Opbq6axYJoYFCxF3ITeys7ZEE17kicfX6WH1bj6rhw-rW8SGMeK7V60P3RIiOKNuvnd4WG5LdqKlU4U7Ks9nurEECg2LDXJ4A5tcX5V6rLcgcwRemcgNi3eGrgNk9oXHV_U/s1600/DSC08927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PTEGhbj0Opbq6axYJoYFCxF3ITeys7ZEE17kicfX6WH1bj6rhw-rW8SGMeK7V60P3RIiOKNuvnd4WG5LdqKlU4U7Ks9nurEECg2LDXJ4A5tcX5V6rLcgcwRemcgNi3eGrgNk9oXHV_U/s640/DSC08927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdElXna-I56FJLxw4EVkGGU3aWzVdm6vCq5bFtyPPTLsV0_iA1OGotf5bZgcNZ3X-RFH3Y1QzYVss2ikvkTkBVP_O_zaJoxN1_GPq1_tgys3-J1YQXHxrcB2IfnZfe-P-Uxp9SDAV3_AY/s1600/DSC08932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdElXna-I56FJLxw4EVkGGU3aWzVdm6vCq5bFtyPPTLsV0_iA1OGotf5bZgcNZ3X-RFH3Y1QzYVss2ikvkTkBVP_O_zaJoxN1_GPq1_tgys3-J1YQXHxrcB2IfnZfe-P-Uxp9SDAV3_AY/s640/DSC08932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnxBU7PZc9EPPOG0w25d_GvY0AyDhk1aqAfUI2AdcP8Jn3967sgekndDgx-wjq0RFy9kPvFk_5l4HFHyfOnepDpgvH8LdBjuKQHVQSQJgF5OM9ub1LO1iw6KuSVorFair65r7GV80M9k/s1600/DSC08933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1600" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnxBU7PZc9EPPOG0w25d_GvY0AyDhk1aqAfUI2AdcP8Jn3967sgekndDgx-wjq0RFy9kPvFk_5l4HFHyfOnepDpgvH8LdBjuKQHVQSQJgF5OM9ub1LO1iw6KuSVorFair65r7GV80M9k/s640/DSC08933.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYKW6gpTY6KlXyq86diJgGJmMSM-hRY1pBPbYELuhpcK3zJ7siHcUr0W9ixPLVSuVd3N23FgBK9fgIA54XvJBSY2EvFP7vDaZHHgVxuVgUMhhlTMsdno-U7XnIvjCzZIQlRJ5XR8YHV8/s1600/DSC08936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYKW6gpTY6KlXyq86diJgGJmMSM-hRY1pBPbYELuhpcK3zJ7siHcUr0W9ixPLVSuVd3N23FgBK9fgIA54XvJBSY2EvFP7vDaZHHgVxuVgUMhhlTMsdno-U7XnIvjCzZIQlRJ5XR8YHV8/s640/DSC08936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The camp ground is still in use to this day. It is called Bay View and they have summer programs for the residents.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgkcpuqyg9_2Kf4D7cn68Qrmv95AWFsJDF73RHBVpkLYWk3QX-lr6_usFH4ayqqmDnQSH4sYDDPphJhm8ErI6Ko4tLTb7ZlnQB9rRYIOEqiug-dqDAjYsTaAAzjwBvHkQPNd4Tpp5ld8/s1600/DSC08948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgkcpuqyg9_2Kf4D7cn68Qrmv95AWFsJDF73RHBVpkLYWk3QX-lr6_usFH4ayqqmDnQSH4sYDDPphJhm8ErI6Ko4tLTb7ZlnQB9rRYIOEqiug-dqDAjYsTaAAzjwBvHkQPNd4Tpp5ld8/s640/DSC08948.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The old church. isn't it adorable?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNUVh7GQC_kiQtopmGrNMlRcM9P4mjucox1YsfW79DElBR-k11rwEzE_xTnbzsSB0DkjX3DTFiK0VWK5fN0ZsBCtVFfVYZXZAJIVMfHh4yR9CSGVBjeTkJh5R3eflHScy57eQXZ-B9eU/s1600/DSC08949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNUVh7GQC_kiQtopmGrNMlRcM9P4mjucox1YsfW79DElBR-k11rwEzE_xTnbzsSB0DkjX3DTFiK0VWK5fN0ZsBCtVFfVYZXZAJIVMfHh4yR9CSGVBjeTkJh5R3eflHScy57eQXZ-B9eU/s640/DSC08949.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE2PM90XbBSYbj_Q92X-q4_P9mDpQLjZl3Z8WzelnIkQOgo8gpLzElfIqSr5CHPhTB9JnGJOoZxkxsjp5EP2bMsnnNrDph4e9E0IVpKE-uMMeOIh6qJl3vwNM_ftTTDjLi9-H86SL3Vo/s1600/DSC08966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE2PM90XbBSYbj_Q92X-q4_P9mDpQLjZl3Z8WzelnIkQOgo8gpLzElfIqSr5CHPhTB9JnGJOoZxkxsjp5EP2bMsnnNrDph4e9E0IVpKE-uMMeOIh6qJl3vwNM_ftTTDjLi9-H86SL3Vo/s640/DSC08966.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This was a porch on one of the homes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4Q-a-Bxmp77zVHiRVo5ZIFaL1EqDBqy6Yf8XFwKVlpYdeiihQMmRF5RnZUJ0F2Mpf6BOqhKcb5AbTqFYoUfIuDlISNw7OD8S8wvs95izg7KQycU_lCo04NPV6xr3Q3aVb0zSMXAtNw4/s1600/DSC08976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4Q-a-Bxmp77zVHiRVo5ZIFaL1EqDBqy6Yf8XFwKVlpYdeiihQMmRF5RnZUJ0F2Mpf6BOqhKcb5AbTqFYoUfIuDlISNw7OD8S8wvs95izg7KQycU_lCo04NPV6xr3Q3aVb0zSMXAtNw4/s640/DSC08976.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
So many great details on these old places. They don't make them like this any more!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYi9XVKxwK_2yPJ3IW7PA98NukSrjIzvZtrWgs2U2JFMtEZjskgtkYhCAugmyekJgRJS6PZf16PekO9fy5tIjB_SaRn8ok_Dk_LxtczwU_aOqPmS54EC2UKLcAqKdGtL00tUJCjBN7rR0/s1600/DSC08977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYi9XVKxwK_2yPJ3IW7PA98NukSrjIzvZtrWgs2U2JFMtEZjskgtkYhCAugmyekJgRJS6PZf16PekO9fy5tIjB_SaRn8ok_Dk_LxtczwU_aOqPmS54EC2UKLcAqKdGtL00tUJCjBN7rR0/s640/DSC08977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpenluOPyMidvkBclTbbCYKZ4zbbgBsl4cQnyUvOry_GLehgcAHLSBzMJfvi3wNj_G-4gwhYPUI-jZw-UKn2-8w23tFH1K2eeMQSB87R9RtH7wLuCm1ohyphenhyphenk0H1L2uVjfvqBln8Egwk5Q/s1600/DSC08984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpenluOPyMidvkBclTbbCYKZ4zbbgBsl4cQnyUvOry_GLehgcAHLSBzMJfvi3wNj_G-4gwhYPUI-jZw-UKn2-8w23tFH1K2eeMQSB87R9RtH7wLuCm1ohyphenhyphenk0H1L2uVjfvqBln8Egwk5Q/s640/DSC08984.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGC4ve0k1Xn2ELNmAGU-y58pL59TrgXk32jFt5wfy6sPmsiK_mvjEPd-B-59l79ECxhY4p9JlIaUlYtNsmkMbY_QPTVXcEM8o8h-yvOV4liBrsEwkGznvgf5Ykwzafe2WCtPGAjT55Qs/s1600/DSC08997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGC4ve0k1Xn2ELNmAGU-y58pL59TrgXk32jFt5wfy6sPmsiK_mvjEPd-B-59l79ECxhY4p9JlIaUlYtNsmkMbY_QPTVXcEM8o8h-yvOV4liBrsEwkGznvgf5Ykwzafe2WCtPGAjT55Qs/s640/DSC08997.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98Kdq2_mW8SRpo-HotVDqeTS_pTRjL9X-yUiajU-wlfUX-CCEPn1hBvepeWw5ROt_B4VTmDu-Ixseekjxga4ZctfiMw0Yfvlg5xw9931SvnJnTeJaV-jRA5aGdk3-Ec5by64NWtjtzus/s1600/DSC09007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98Kdq2_mW8SRpo-HotVDqeTS_pTRjL9X-yUiajU-wlfUX-CCEPn1hBvepeWw5ROt_B4VTmDu-Ixseekjxga4ZctfiMw0Yfvlg5xw9931SvnJnTeJaV-jRA5aGdk3-Ec5by64NWtjtzus/s640/DSC09007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
It was a great getaway. We came back relaxed and feeling like we had been residents of that little camp ourselves. Have you gone on any weekend escapes lately? What's your favorite?</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-54147219565877416272017-09-07T11:04:00.002-05:002017-09-07T11:04:39.787-05:00Back to Black<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not much has happened around here in the past few weeks. Summer is winding down and I can feel myself winding down a bit with it. As the days get shorter, and colder and darker I always find the changes a bit hard to take. I'm a sunshine girl and getting less always drains me a bit. So it was time for a little bit of a change around here. I had been considering painting this teeny little wall in my kitchen for a few weeks. First, I had to think it to death. Do you do that? Second guess, hmmm and haw, wonder if you'll like it? I do that and then I always come to the conclusion that it's a small wall and I can always paint over it. I would waste a lot less brain power if I could just jump straight to that conclusion and get to it. I like it, a lot...for now. For this season it just feels cozy. It makes that wall pop and doesn't really seem to darken the whole kitchen into a cave, which was another one of my fears. In the Spring I may decide it's too dark. The only thing that stays the same is that everything changes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxR5lsn4-ZxpwNndGaHy-tHxAsM0xLWxzG6fFuEJ4kWuO1Y4YnFMFYSxhupBobCRtfPP9quKwUGBK7DvrlCF8mD90_ZZICC021soa2qfEZRkOuCcRODsc2FMDik_ZazdvX69fhz9Qxmg/s1600/DSC08799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxR5lsn4-ZxpwNndGaHy-tHxAsM0xLWxzG6fFuEJ4kWuO1Y4YnFMFYSxhupBobCRtfPP9quKwUGBK7DvrlCF8mD90_ZZICC021soa2qfEZRkOuCcRODsc2FMDik_ZazdvX69fhz9Qxmg/s640/DSC08799.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
Within a few days I had decided to go full out Fall on this wall. Something about the black, and then I got these brilliant sunflowers at the Farmers Market and found that old graphic I did several years ago in the basement, (must clean basement), and it all kind of came together. One of the things I like is how the black wall ties in with the black on the stove, and see that sweet mosaic heart holding my aprons? It has a black and white checkerboard trim around the outside and that goes with the black too. That little peg is from my sweet friend Penny at<a href="http://www.enjoyingthesimplethings.com/" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"> Enjoying the Simple Things</a><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"> </span>and I think of her each time I see it. It's something I will never tire of. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlD314BuZvBtPbdTbbQr6hKXJkiIsIK6F20mCwBbAV1z_i9C_f8c0Ka6EHjDXud0GLmHWDL7tPl98ESg09wZnJWuJuFRqqmcpAwwXlGpXxkONExvTvFPnbFuzlWxM4Cz_NPpQzV7LJx4/s1600/DSC08853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlD314BuZvBtPbdTbbQr6hKXJkiIsIK6F20mCwBbAV1z_i9C_f8c0Ka6EHjDXud0GLmHWDL7tPl98ESg09wZnJWuJuFRqqmcpAwwXlGpXxkONExvTvFPnbFuzlWxM4Cz_NPpQzV7LJx4/s640/DSC08853.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I also refilled the front door basket with some Mackenzie Child inspired goodies. It was fun going to the new Hobby Lobby in town with a friend and finding all the elements. I think the basket may need painting though.....hmmmm. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9FLtBZKJZOKzsOSTdSdrPba70GgdZUHsmWHBZEqM1XASRWg1vrCTgdo3ZEnWb2_kuBSvQebFLvTtawXwHua-qcw8_0uCj9WvkhwfFHOwW7y9JutBqubSqv62AJATDK_7E011_IhNKi0/s1600/DSC08792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9FLtBZKJZOKzsOSTdSdrPba70GgdZUHsmWHBZEqM1XASRWg1vrCTgdo3ZEnWb2_kuBSvQebFLvTtawXwHua-qcw8_0uCj9WvkhwfFHOwW7y9JutBqubSqv62AJATDK_7E011_IhNKi0/s640/DSC08792.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The garden is winding down, much to my sorrow. I am babying it along but as the nights get cooler and the days get shorter I am afraid my dear garden's days are numbered. I had a fabulous basil harvest so far and have frozen about 10 cups of pesto for those cold winter days when I need a shot of something that smells like summer. Some will go to my daughter for her freezer. There is more than enough to share.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYFOQO1rr_S7U5uSHcWB1n6w8Tjg7CaZxfoTVVCMcJdzgHceDgeW0ZfOhc9LyjikCnyRodeizkk3_-hIlOa4brzCxFIAIGXWcXAuRE3n8iOnb8ijXpAju7HWP9SSum2aXXwa4AL5PSDE/s1600/zinnia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYFOQO1rr_S7U5uSHcWB1n6w8Tjg7CaZxfoTVVCMcJdzgHceDgeW0ZfOhc9LyjikCnyRodeizkk3_-hIlOa4brzCxFIAIGXWcXAuRE3n8iOnb8ijXpAju7HWP9SSum2aXXwa4AL5PSDE/s640/zinnia.JPG" width="636" /></a></div>
The zinnias are spectacular this year too. I purchased some called thumbelina that were supposed to get 6" tall, they are more like 18 inches, but I'm not complaining. I love zinnias so much, I don't even care that they crowded out the zucchini.<br />
<br />
Nights have been in the 40's and highs have been in the 60's here for the past week, Fall is definitely here! Is it creeping where you are too? Praying for those who are not enjoying the best of Autumn, Dallas, the fires out west and now hurricane Irma bearing down on Florida. So many friends and family in these areas. My heart goes out to them and I will keep praying for safety and help. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-66176208759919717272017-07-24T10:34:00.000-05:002017-07-24T10:34:38.021-05:00July in all it's Glory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know I am not alone in finding it hard to believe that July is more than half gone already. I remember pining for warm weather and my garden so clearly and now they are here. I wish I could slow the days down but we really can't can we? If you find a way please let me know.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The beginning of the month was busy, my darling daughter Lauren flew in from PA for a week for a visit. It was pure heaven. Beautiful weather, time with both my girls together as her sister spent as much time as possible with us for the holiday. We laughed and just hung out and it was glorious! Lauren and I spent some time planning Victoria's baby shower. She is having a girl! My purse has felt lighter ever since I found out. Have you seen the little girl things available lately? Oh my goodness, I may go broke with the first baby! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lauren and her dad picked cherries at a friends house. The friends didn't have time to pick them this year and they kindly offered them to us. Aren't they beautiful!? We made a little pie for them as a thank you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOwoWJEMDJc9TerJUN_DBVpFDQqX1f-NAYGJA5AsUT9H9cBZwBz2Muq5T5gyff1aCOvW4vzUKrzHtvMcoF49iV931vdBWCaD1XEmNCpvNp0Uhp1XoYRpSq6b4uE8vsqvI3LQ1pb07dS4/s1600/cherries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="629" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOwoWJEMDJc9TerJUN_DBVpFDQqX1f-NAYGJA5AsUT9H9cBZwBz2Muq5T5gyff1aCOvW4vzUKrzHtvMcoF49iV931vdBWCaD1XEmNCpvNp0Uhp1XoYRpSq6b4uE8vsqvI3LQ1pb07dS4/s640/cherries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And a bigger pie for us as well as putting some in the freezer. Earl has determined that we MUST have a cherry tree or two. I have to agree.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YfgqWkG4fZzQbVI1SC_aj3ClaUqwAfjweEfgpzbkYLLMei3LrgqEGcQBWYCZejLKJJuLQwapQh9uHLnszOMnFJcALmbZqAT05S4ikKAp5eftOG6uC2NMbWF493suHFLBjjV-vqd38M8/s1600/pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="625" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YfgqWkG4fZzQbVI1SC_aj3ClaUqwAfjweEfgpzbkYLLMei3LrgqEGcQBWYCZejLKJJuLQwapQh9uHLnszOMnFJcALmbZqAT05S4ikKAp5eftOG6uC2NMbWF493suHFLBjjV-vqd38M8/s640/pie.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The garden is going strong. We have already picked the sugar peas and torn out the vines. We will plant a second crop soon for fall. Thinning the beets got us this beautiful basket of little beets that are just right to roast for salads. We planted, Chioggia, Golden and Detroit red. I'm not a fan of beet greens but Victoria's sister in law loves them so they were sent home for her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiBNH-zGinYU_XLYs2JeqatCpvcVDC7OjkfgPhOAtssXjzWqybyXGR7qN8o3q3XvS2rR2pnZu8F59L1MYDPNwbdeXoN9UZXg-plOju2dGucWysv3Gqe-XcgV0bc3C6FYuRVKm5nZSsg0/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="631" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiBNH-zGinYU_XLYs2JeqatCpvcVDC7OjkfgPhOAtssXjzWqybyXGR7qN8o3q3XvS2rR2pnZu8F59L1MYDPNwbdeXoN9UZXg-plOju2dGucWysv3Gqe-XcgV0bc3C6FYuRVKm5nZSsg0/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The patio still needs a few details finished, but we got the lights hung and I love spending summer nights out there, even for just a few minutes. As the days get shorter the lights will be even more welcome. Fireflies have been prolific this year which adds so much to the light show. I love fireflies so much. I always look forward to their glow :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC_Y5QskeRyLWvnHA-dLhw5W-gApogSqaKrHMQQ_toAeDzK9z-8ycg-DyjHalrHdhRfi3eb-iTMkz0J310KF0AD8Re3HbJNOu6vz4XJJ9lZUgcrPrhg9puY2fy7yNw5oS3AdnaNP062Q/s1600/Patio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="627" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC_Y5QskeRyLWvnHA-dLhw5W-gApogSqaKrHMQQ_toAeDzK9z-8ycg-DyjHalrHdhRfi3eb-iTMkz0J310KF0AD8Re3HbJNOu6vz4XJJ9lZUgcrPrhg9puY2fy7yNw5oS3AdnaNP062Q/s640/Patio.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The flower beds need weeding, there are more yard projects in the works, and we have Victoria's first shower coming up in two weeks. There is so much to look forward to and so much to do! I hope you can find a way to slow down the summer, I'm not ready for fall yet! Are you?</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-47589035438471289552017-06-21T10:42:00.002-05:002017-06-21T10:44:37.273-05:00The Patio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As one of my daughters pointed out it's been a month since my last post. I can only plead busy as the last month has been a whirlwind of activity. As I mentioned in my last post, so very long ago, Earl and I decided we wanted a brick patio out by the garden and decided we could do it ourselves because how hard could that be? Really, with him working 60 hours a week, planting the garden and all the rest of the upkeep on a home surely we could fit in building a brick patio right? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Right.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We did it. But clearly you can see why blogging has been on the back burner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphcn6MBzWkK13TqEbRJiTO5bcDVAHPvxBmBR24HzJIHrM4C7bmBDx5verg_zf8O-NoaEu981X3p7RuwLKFhsAwrOCZBkVyMJmmA0husn1sHqI4cIb7qymf0oC_av9dOZiE8NyeYzX_dY/s1600/DSC08738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphcn6MBzWkK13TqEbRJiTO5bcDVAHPvxBmBR24HzJIHrM4C7bmBDx5verg_zf8O-NoaEu981X3p7RuwLKFhsAwrOCZBkVyMJmmA0husn1sHqI4cIb7qymf0oC_av9dOZiE8NyeYzX_dY/s640/DSC08738.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The patio itself is finally finished, we still have a bit of work to do on the areas around the patio that were torn up in the process. There is still lots to do and we are of course looking forward to changing some things out and adding things over the next few weeks. We haven't hung the lights over the patio yet, (maybe this weekend?) and we need a few things here and there. Earl wants to build a couple long farm tables to replace the glass topped table we are using. That may take a while, but in the meantime, using the old stuff doesn't decrease our enjoyment out here in the evenings one iota.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As you can see, this patio is pretty big. I hauled 3 pallets of bricks to Earl, one wheelbarrow at a time as he laid them. After that it was multiple wheelbarrows of dirt to fill in around the patio where the topsoil had been scraped away. My advice if you want to do this yourself? Make sure you are fit or hire a contractor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMXC26UtQn7Jtbcj6gq0ko8WD_JltgEFO2GalVENb2Zrdd-etQ_rBZks9R5LdIO1_3WB2SKwX57UWJ4kRmsDi2OutyapMgUZ5pzhyphenhyphenC0pM50G-l_ZICaQ6RQhyphenhyphenID1r80MXgUAG9AJk-1I/s1600/DSC08743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1147" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMXC26UtQn7Jtbcj6gq0ko8WD_JltgEFO2GalVENb2Zrdd-etQ_rBZks9R5LdIO1_3WB2SKwX57UWJ4kRmsDi2OutyapMgUZ5pzhyphenhyphenC0pM50G-l_ZICaQ6RQhyphenhyphenID1r80MXgUAG9AJk-1I/s640/DSC08743.JPG" width="458" /></a></div>
Can someone tell me why, when brown is my least favorite color, I bought brown cushions a couple years ago for the patio? They must have been on sale, Lol. Well at least they are fairly neutral and maybe I can dress them up with some pillows or something. Eventually I'll replace them because, brown. Purchasing something you don't like because it's a good price is obviously a false economy, when will I ever learn?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1ikPHZ6YAx7fu9w3Vc6mE7TXb5uh5Dm-FyZxFnzQvCBXxS6AEPlQ5gHWZQgoQ2LuCCxCQ_k1iCE_1O3ejLRY3dtwRlzMo0Y7eOdIcQfq3ps3RY80CXdAbuXJmHYccg-7Ng0YBV8Rgc0/s1600/DSC08744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1ikPHZ6YAx7fu9w3Vc6mE7TXb5uh5Dm-FyZxFnzQvCBXxS6AEPlQ5gHWZQgoQ2LuCCxCQ_k1iCE_1O3ejLRY3dtwRlzMo0Y7eOdIcQfq3ps3RY80CXdAbuXJmHYccg-7Ng0YBV8Rgc0/s640/DSC08744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The garden still has areas that need to be planted with later season veggies, at least I got my flowers in right away! Flowers tend to be my priority ;) <br />
<br />
This project has taken so much time I feel like I am behind in just about every other area. Housework, weeding, and lawn. One of those things you tend to forget when taking on a project of this size is that you have other things that will have to be set aside in order to get the project done. I am so glad this is (almost) finished! I know we will use it for years to come, but it was a lot more work and time than anticipated. I'm looking forward to a little more time to write and catch up on blogs, and also to the more fun aspects of this project, like decorating and parties!<br />
<br />
And how is your summer going?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-24583969029589880282017-05-23T13:05:00.002-05:002017-05-23T13:06:52.682-05:00A Little bit of This, A Little bit of that...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now lets see... what fascinating events have happened since last we sat down together with a cup of coffee? Well, the lily of the valley bloomed,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTddVk_Gyq2wSOcg-vaPu2kgBxwmAhUtg3bowttz8SaHmWONUjYo4ZRQlWvqjTIhKC982IgrdalnEwq-b-SaQnXmS8qsqZAjTfQIFxim0CQNL1ocAmgnFFJySvEAAwxmJxxHFGujkO8vg/s1600/DSC08595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTddVk_Gyq2wSOcg-vaPu2kgBxwmAhUtg3bowttz8SaHmWONUjYo4ZRQlWvqjTIhKC982IgrdalnEwq-b-SaQnXmS8qsqZAjTfQIFxim0CQNL1ocAmgnFFJySvEAAwxmJxxHFGujkO8vg/s640/DSC08595.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
and so did my beautiful snowball bush. I know those may not seem like big events, and in the scheme of things they are not, but I pretty much live for the garden May through whenever old man winter comes to call. Sunshine, birds singing, mowing the grass as the purple martins swoop around me to eat the bugs I kick up. It's all so good, so yes, these flowers are a big deal to me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5S0pe8zMk7lDCS_-MFqndNGm9NeGJGHqtcqW0RIJavGg7VZwVDxY_bJtqNMsDVfE2LfmxJBRAPsBNbZivEgk9OieZ54mTgGLf5kCvVt1cnn9d5YzAyczWMhcGEjhNOn47uKbEpJJbso/s1600/DSC08628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5S0pe8zMk7lDCS_-MFqndNGm9NeGJGHqtcqW0RIJavGg7VZwVDxY_bJtqNMsDVfE2LfmxJBRAPsBNbZivEgk9OieZ54mTgGLf5kCvVt1cnn9d5YzAyczWMhcGEjhNOn47uKbEpJJbso/s640/DSC08628.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
We have also begun putting in a brick patio out by the garden. We have been dreaming of this for years and being the <strike>insane</strike> DIY people we are, when I say "we " are bricking a large portion of yard, I mean "we". It all seems like such a good idea until the guy with the backhoe comes and strips all that sod and you realize what a huge project you have taken on and that it means sweet and long suffering hubby coming home after 12 hour work days and grubbing around out there instead of relaxing. Yes, you would think we would learn, but no we haven't. 37 years later we are still biting off more than we can chew and learning as we go. Pray for us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyxikvdOsOhLqx2Aa_zw2LoM77qMmVRlV_KvnEe_GDUZ-3axB2g6UcI_flMtZ9sddl4jqCtenDiy10AFmFEWJfWuqX9qbJmUmFfzXzM-2JXPZT0g6hQcnJ69RhDCnsQYA2YHThJWROr4/s1600/DSC08611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyxikvdOsOhLqx2Aa_zw2LoM77qMmVRlV_KvnEe_GDUZ-3axB2g6UcI_flMtZ9sddl4jqCtenDiy10AFmFEWJfWuqX9qbJmUmFfzXzM-2JXPZT0g6hQcnJ69RhDCnsQYA2YHThJWROr4/s640/DSC08611.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
I had to show you this amazing berry tart Earl made for our Mother's day lunch. Graham cracker crust, a few cups of frozen triple berry blend from Costco, heated and thickened with cornstarch and then more fresh berries stirred in and dumped in the crust. That is all the recipe I have for you, one of these days I will make him write down his concoctions to make it easier. I am sure he added a bit of sugar to taste but it wasn't super sweet, just a wonderful berry flavor. He is my hero in so many ways.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bC0ALv6-fjWPMo9fbcilU6s82Z-dZvjujpzmTUpMLLx-fYOmWQmCGX_ThNadgC6Tk2Td_5Olz1HEkol6vp7B1JS9J04Mdeag5X-wsTB5W68unoEtX09vE6sKFHOKcgDLlzV_B9gmGLI/s1600/vhenke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bC0ALv6-fjWPMo9fbcilU6s82Z-dZvjujpzmTUpMLLx-fYOmWQmCGX_ThNadgC6Tk2Td_5Olz1HEkol6vp7B1JS9J04Mdeag5X-wsTB5W68unoEtX09vE6sKFHOKcgDLlzV_B9gmGLI/s640/vhenke.JPG" width="630" /></a></div>
Last Saturday was my birthday, and I spent it with these two loveys. Youngest daughter came for breakfast and the farmers market, where we loaded up on flowers, followed by some garage sales, (Oh how I wish eldest daughter could have made it too!) After she headed home Earl took me out to dinner and a comedy show. So much fun! We ended the evening with a ridiculously rich cake and ice cream combo at a favorite restaurant and then fell into bed exhausted. Some days are just so darn good and perfect you can't believe it. This was one of them.<br />
<br />
And one more thing that's perfect. I'll give you a hint....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcMZXOvpIGPcIMCoN4dLND1F5bR-SNGlXaoDWYmnqoA2NKBVCrgF6PdFp98u-zxbdb5L1_qtJ8COJo4TrBL8c60GFBO9KpnMUnNzNYatY_04Gs8qGVMkoFw9peytXsXdyrMGmSpmqnr4/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcMZXOvpIGPcIMCoN4dLND1F5bR-SNGlXaoDWYmnqoA2NKBVCrgF6PdFp98u-zxbdb5L1_qtJ8COJo4TrBL8c60GFBO9KpnMUnNzNYatY_04Gs8qGVMkoFw9peytXsXdyrMGmSpmqnr4/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm going to be a grandma! Youngest daughter is expecting a little bundle in November and we are so happy! No idea yet whether it's a boy or a girl, but we aren't too picky. It's been a good month, and things are just going to get better.<span style="color: red;">💜💜💜</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-15879202906498981102017-05-11T09:26:00.001-05:002017-05-11T09:36:14.510-05:00In the Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent the afternoon in the garden yesterday with a little friend. Earl built new raised beds for the strawberries last fall and they were absolutely filled with weeds. Since the sun was shining and it was a perfect 70 degrees outside I decided it was finally time to clean them out so we could start planting the strawberries. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvxJiyiMS3qYArmijEusbzdE3bVsa_JFo-QC_QX_e61mvLS3n1ECm4qMyTArtCq1AewR3uAVX4RSRi3MSN4dbcYFWWVYU1b2PiY2Ub_1I55PL_8RMRBBp-NVXWRF3CaxkCTnrqTCl_64/s1600/peeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvxJiyiMS3qYArmijEusbzdE3bVsa_JFo-QC_QX_e61mvLS3n1ECm4qMyTArtCq1AewR3uAVX4RSRi3MSN4dbcYFWWVYU1b2PiY2Ub_1I55PL_8RMRBBp-NVXWRF3CaxkCTnrqTCl_64/s640/peeps.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I grabbed a couple hens and we set to work. They nibbled on greens and ate bugs while I pulled the weeds. I enjoyed their company as I felt the warm sun, listened to baby birds chirping in the birdhouse nearby and enjoyed the scent of lilacs and mint. Such a perfect May day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxPKWHIJvX868ivy9o1C30LdE2glUAUyQmRaisCeyLkYPZ7S6GjnM4syLUreZafIpWi4Vm9HrZUyejgKORQn_7dspvlwGmzhyphenhyphenyeK-HYzYu1NNB7gPuud5rA_TsCmCe4Yr-rQPlzpk7F4/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxPKWHIJvX868ivy9o1C30LdE2glUAUyQmRaisCeyLkYPZ7S6GjnM4syLUreZafIpWi4Vm9HrZUyejgKORQn_7dspvlwGmzhyphenhyphenyeK-HYzYu1NNB7gPuud5rA_TsCmCe4Yr-rQPlzpk7F4/s640/untitled.png" width="458" /></a></div>
Today is a bit less perfect, with temps in the 50's and cloudy. It rained last night so I have my usual "rain" sinus headache, but after this weekend we get a warm up into the 70's again. May is like the song in "Annie"...the sun will come out tomorrow....always something to look forward to as the weather gets better and better :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFirk1xpT5HIMnqalbb9JDET0KRPgQfbRWqvjpEH3OXt-s2T5-bR-DJoyKB9QrJrRBQlfr5CGnlKMwMGpN40FSSoIOXGpP-PPvaPeYuqdZqLl0P2A-59i7dBcaxRiinX9THqpLsLLTinY/s1600/DSC08591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFirk1xpT5HIMnqalbb9JDET0KRPgQfbRWqvjpEH3OXt-s2T5-bR-DJoyKB9QrJrRBQlfr5CGnlKMwMGpN40FSSoIOXGpP-PPvaPeYuqdZqLl0P2A-59i7dBcaxRiinX9THqpLsLLTinY/s640/DSC08591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Speaking of the garden, we have some really big projects and plans for improving it this year. We will be adding a brick patio and a graveled area for a firepit. Work is slated to begin next week and I can't wait to show you the results as we get it done!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1aFDH6NHtMEuFuCWW5OEQBNf0waxrCgKIO_AVxZbYIIGsNoqB_m2vRa5Xetdyl_haYIEZi4TxF4kV9r0epS2FZuvKtfrkgwOa6zNPprog76v5bRG1xgnnLvV5lHqICgZI1o2g0UmTKE/s1600/Cherry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1aFDH6NHtMEuFuCWW5OEQBNf0waxrCgKIO_AVxZbYIIGsNoqB_m2vRa5Xetdyl_haYIEZi4TxF4kV9r0epS2FZuvKtfrkgwOa6zNPprog76v5bRG1xgnnLvV5lHqICgZI1o2g0UmTKE/s640/Cherry.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<br />
Just a little heads up for my blog friends. Due to some new policies I'll be closing my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HensinDaisies?ref=si_shop" rel="nofollow"><b><span style="color: red;">etsy shop</span></b></a> as of May 17. It's time to rethink where I am going with my design work anyway. It has been a hobby that turned into a little bit more and now it's time to rethink where I want to take it. This may be a very good thing in the long run and I am choosing to look at it as the kick in the pants I need to either get serious or follow other creative outlets. We will see. In the meantime, as long time friends, if you want anything from the shop I'm going to give you a coupon code for 30% off your purchase. Use code<b><span style="color: #134f5c;"> FRIENDS</span></b> at check out for your discount. This is limited to stock on hand and I have been filling orders like crazy so if you want something now is the time!<br />
<br />
Lots of changes happening around here! What's happening in your neck of the woods?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-22286995236698869492017-05-04T13:10:00.001-05:002017-05-04T13:10:23.183-05:00Blog. Post. Seriously mom.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Blog. Post. Seriously mom. <br />
<br />
That was the text I got from my youngest daughter this morning. If for no other reason than my kids love to read it I must keep blogging. Of course I enjoy it too, I just don't seem to give it the priority I used to and that's ok. I mean, I'm living my life and not just writing about it and that's the important thing.<br />
Let's see, what is new around here? Well, it's a cold, (45 degrees), drizzly day out , but the flowers are blooming. (Happy belated May Day!) In spite of the cold drizzle today, May is my favorite month. Mostly because it's pretty much all about me. Mothers Day AND my birthday month. Also eldest daughter's birthday is this month and some other fun stuff that I look forward to. (garage sales start up again!) But again, Mother's Day and Birthday month. Winning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxaECAReJY6ArykIyZ2tyj8_28GxQLwiAgA6qyDm2ryenBDYCDPmmn634pcq4yeRklS3Joyh08KjWWB0YxU6UDRbzMbzn6cxM1B-_z5WPFbRaZr53EPr0va__RAZa77t5qOOAYt2o4kM/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxaECAReJY6ArykIyZ2tyj8_28GxQLwiAgA6qyDm2ryenBDYCDPmmn634pcq4yeRklS3Joyh08KjWWB0YxU6UDRbzMbzn6cxM1B-_z5WPFbRaZr53EPr0va__RAZa77t5qOOAYt2o4kM/s640/Capture.JPG" width="518" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I switched the curtains in the dining room back to the blue print from a plain neutral beige, because plain neutral beige? have you met me? Also, because I'm fickle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5iKLEuDol4cklY8baZVeRmf8CtiBrCB2rpbIGEWYWKkcyLgUKi2JrHFxn4rnYe7GmRorZ3rpjcP_FfGGZkLi560WXhdfAuv7nuhjmWHllLHzDy_9KNtvcMqNfKrYsDh_R2DC-iDpZc4/s1600/DSC08562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5iKLEuDol4cklY8baZVeRmf8CtiBrCB2rpbIGEWYWKkcyLgUKi2JrHFxn4rnYe7GmRorZ3rpjcP_FfGGZkLi560WXhdfAuv7nuhjmWHllLHzDy_9KNtvcMqNfKrYsDh_R2DC-iDpZc4/s640/DSC08562.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OJ5twcth8PmrZkZcZq0yQE93AWmvpNKixtq9QzcWoJk1Ros-bkJ2gGZ2UPhq1xCwNh4eN1KT8MWPEkkiyXsmF4YaWbYls5_-qSGSfjRyc4oEKmIwEQzMkHKhtS5rdUeRs_uJwugUEao/s1600/DSC08562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I have been starting basil, zinnias and tomatoes for the garden in a little knock down greenhouse I found at Big Lots last fall. It was marked down to $35 and is big enough to walk in and plant right on the shelves inside. It has been so great for starting seeds we have decided that a real greenhouse should be in our near future.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDpGXypSTEhyphenhyphen06WDIdvPJyaI3DOqPM7WJojkGZC7QjiUfsrFbePQInZ3MYDXQzJTqt39PDLuNyrBRt6ZEWtR7wJHmYDADMc0fu6kJ3ez3x_uYfpStNPENYLOlQor1hVwMIuN7FMtq77I/s1600/DSC08579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDpGXypSTEhyphenhyphen06WDIdvPJyaI3DOqPM7WJojkGZC7QjiUfsrFbePQInZ3MYDXQzJTqt39PDLuNyrBRt6ZEWtR7wJHmYDADMc0fu6kJ3ez3x_uYfpStNPENYLOlQor1hVwMIuN7FMtq77I/s640/DSC08579.JPG" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Trader Joe's iris and tulips. SO much joy for so little money.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm enjoying watching Spring unfold. I think my favorite shade of green is that soft cloud of green the trees get just before the leaves are all the way out. It doesn't last long and you have to watch for it in order to enjoy every last eye full.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those of you wondering how I'm doing with a personal trainer, I'm doing ok. Do I love it? No. But the older I get the more exercise resistant I get, which is why I need to pay someone to stand over me and make me do this stuff. I will say I am stronger than I thought. My muscles ache, but as I told Earl, "I would rather hurt because I'm getting better, than hurt because I'm getting more out of shape."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My trainer confessed that he has a trainer too, or he wouldn't do his exercises. Somewhere out there a personal trainer that is actually able to motivate himself is at the top of the food chain I suppose. Who knew? I thought those guys lived for the gym.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So that's about it. I know that was almost more excitement than you can handle in one day. Feel free to take a nap or something to calm yourself from that roller coaster ride of my fascinating life. Hmmm, that doesn't sound too bad. ;) Catch you later with some REALLY exciting stuff!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-46243317629505894002017-04-17T16:47:00.001-05:002017-04-17T16:47:38.297-05:00Easter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a quick hello. It's been a busy week, as all holiday weeks tend to be. I was putting the dishes away from our Easter dinner and did a quick table setting to show you how it looked. I loved the table this year! I made the napkin rings by grabbing a multi stem daisy floral from the craft store, snipping them apart and leaving enough wire stem to bend into a circle. I wrapped floral tape around the stem to hold it in place. I was able to use a lot of our jadeite and white ceramic serving pieces and it all came together. No fancy multi plate stacks here, just a simple plate that was covered in good food. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-DaG5KrsVXQehMeekP07pCG7unNyz35MaidaZiigjMLZn_1XnywuofIVHeISzhk4pGIfJXzd7IFwSCS225NAf7DbVlcOmFSNQ5mDceaPjEJBB6H1KGyYAG2sxqI1XikVl31lOeKBjqI/s1600/DSC08543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-DaG5KrsVXQehMeekP07pCG7unNyz35MaidaZiigjMLZn_1XnywuofIVHeISzhk4pGIfJXzd7IFwSCS225NAf7DbVlcOmFSNQ5mDceaPjEJBB6H1KGyYAG2sxqI1XikVl31lOeKBjqI/s640/DSC08543.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
The menu was ham, mashed potatoes, home made rolls, green beans and broccoli salad with<a href="http://sweetapolita.com/2011/02/triple-lemon-blueberry-layer-cake/"> <b><span style="color: red;">triple lemon blueberry cake </span></b></a>for dessert. Yum! I'm so ashamed... kind of. Not really. Anyway, we had a wonderful warm sunshiny day, church followed by dinner with youngest daughter and hubby, and a sister and mom. We missed the family that couldn't attend but hope they can make the next big dinner. Eldest daughter and her husband are coming for an extended visit in a couple months so yay! I have that to look forward to!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZGddx6NKYqPy4fnj5uAEz7gNs0hhcuK02QOhZh1RGHPy-w1N73zBqicsMxqumREaIFZvR2KgDcy3s4ZXF1vOwg9rAzgGVP5AnScdSgDSAXsdJY8U0Qm9OrgR8UKdj0ZeuNtu5SJkzpg/s1600/DSC08518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZGddx6NKYqPy4fnj5uAEz7gNs0hhcuK02QOhZh1RGHPy-w1N73zBqicsMxqumREaIFZvR2KgDcy3s4ZXF1vOwg9rAzgGVP5AnScdSgDSAXsdJY8U0Qm9OrgR8UKdj0ZeuNtu5SJkzpg/s640/DSC08518.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I had to show you the eggs. We have 11 hens and they have been doing a bang up job of supplying us with beautiful, multicolor eggs. Prettier than dyed I have to say, and the daffodils are from the garden. Things are starting to bloom left and right and I couldn't be happier. <br />
<br />
Did you have a happy Easter weekend? I'm trying to catch up on blogs. We were without internet for an entire week and didn't get it back until last Wednesday. I'm so far behind I don't know when I'll get caught up! <br />
<br />
Tell me about your plans for Spring! Anything new on the horizon?</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-59417673929261979232017-04-05T12:13:00.000-05:002017-04-05T12:13:37.422-05:00On Getting in Shape and Lots of Green<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's April! We are almost 4 months into the year and a little over a week away from Easter, which I just realized last night. This is important because Easter is at our house so time to get planning!<br />
<br />
In other news, I joined a gym. Can I just say up front, I hate gyms? I do. They are money pits and you all KNOW how frugal I am. I hate gyms, but I hate feeling weak and out of shape just the tiniest bit more so I signed up. I had an "evaluation" today so they could sell me on a personal trainer. *sigh* seriously, it was a battle with the frugal me who was screaming in outrage at the cost. Fat, out of shape me wrestled frugal me to the ground and paid up. Later, frugal me retaliated by eating a peanut butter cup thereby making my 1/2 hour on the treadmill null and void.<br />
<br />
Frugal me is a little vindictive.<br />
<br />
"Are you excited?" the gym owner said, as he took possession of my credit card. "Sure", I replied halfheartedly, because really? No. I was not excited. If he was handing me as much money as I was handing him at that moment I am sure I could have whipped up more excitement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmAH4VbQysEUPJPiPIBzj1I6o5GNC28QthG3PR7seY19DS3J2Ik6eONuB39wM0QqAnC82UC2iYkWJA35r1Vh-vel1sSCxxRPaCp0r7rOQDCfi3MGa8A8ZnXsZFcw-CV4uajvB0Ao6_EI/s1600/DSC08438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmAH4VbQysEUPJPiPIBzj1I6o5GNC28QthG3PR7seY19DS3J2Ik6eONuB39wM0QqAnC82UC2iYkWJA35r1Vh-vel1sSCxxRPaCp0r7rOQDCfi3MGa8A8ZnXsZFcw-CV4uajvB0Ao6_EI/s640/DSC08438.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
There will be no before and after pictures because....before pictures. But I will attempt to keep you updated on whether 1. I can stop eating peanut butter cups. 2. The personal trainer can whip me into shape. I can be a challenge.<br />
<br />
But in more fascinating news, I am so excited for Spring to be here. It's my happy time, my favorite time of year. When the flowers start coming into the stores? Heaven! Let the flower buying begin!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDer9KDNH0_3Fmz3wveMPNJY6PKC_snlucwR-YwEaQ_LSczFrOgJiWDheiabjf17bG0GRU9GAm6YIoDN9PjSIK_ky58ukoJemtALen3ysT_MVURUy4XWDuqyihQRfPhPi50H1KNaIDGA/s1600/DSC08457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmAH4VbQysEUPJPiPIBzj1I6o5GNC28QthG3PR7seY19DS3J2Ik6eONuB39wM0QqAnC82UC2iYkWJA35r1Vh-vel1sSCxxRPaCp0r7rOQDCfi3MGa8A8ZnXsZFcw-CV4uajvB0Ao6_EI/s1600/DSC08438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_C5u39dK2XAURU4eUfKesb7D45lhFrHLQ2aO4SJAP12qfRA-aEZpgUxX5rBnmKrdFZXlA7LwjHAfq1hE3GKhND9ZjDolyt6aTMKNWN6-y5fAisvHWddP-0PE0oKyjCxgO-ZqXOXpH3k/s1600/DSC08478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_C5u39dK2XAURU4eUfKesb7D45lhFrHLQ2aO4SJAP12qfRA-aEZpgUxX5rBnmKrdFZXlA7LwjHAfq1hE3GKhND9ZjDolyt6aTMKNWN6-y5fAisvHWddP-0PE0oKyjCxgO-ZqXOXpH3k/s640/DSC08478.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am also on a green kick. I can't get enough. Green bottles, green plants, green everything. It's Spring and Spring means green!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDer9KDNH0_3Fmz3wveMPNJY6PKC_snlucwR-YwEaQ_LSczFrOgJiWDheiabjf17bG0GRU9GAm6YIoDN9PjSIK_ky58ukoJemtALen3ysT_MVURUy4XWDuqyihQRfPhPi50H1KNaIDGA/s1600/DSC08457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDer9KDNH0_3Fmz3wveMPNJY6PKC_snlucwR-YwEaQ_LSczFrOgJiWDheiabjf17bG0GRU9GAm6YIoDN9PjSIK_ky58ukoJemtALen3ysT_MVURUy4XWDuqyihQRfPhPi50H1KNaIDGA/s640/DSC08457.JPG" width="640" /></a>And that means I painted the dining room buffet a light, Springy, green. I'm loving the change it brings to the room. For a while I painted everything shades of white. I needed to calm the house down a bit with all the color I had brought in. Now it's time to add a bit of color here and there because all white ain't my "thang."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had to open the front door for this photo because we have been having such dark, grey rainy days for the past few days. We have a few more coming up but then the forecast gets warm and sunny :) I can't wait!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcDTaa5NkuA08jcong5SXm-pqM05PSI69YhkmTwSy2DudOnzGZsfXHxX6HI5c04Rn6fJ4cKFCD-kwAzW-RGWLnoyGXKgPYqgHUlC2UrY1zmxXy88i6lG6GkVfW6Q5CNwdS3JD3QN1Pt0/s1600/DSC08508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcDTaa5NkuA08jcong5SXm-pqM05PSI69YhkmTwSy2DudOnzGZsfXHxX6HI5c04Rn6fJ4cKFCD-kwAzW-RGWLnoyGXKgPYqgHUlC2UrY1zmxXy88i6lG6GkVfW6Q5CNwdS3JD3QN1Pt0/s640/DSC08508.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
How is your Spring going? Are you ready for Easter?<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-72608972354091995142017-03-20T14:02:00.000-05:002017-03-20T14:04:02.275-05:00Progress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy first day of SPRING! This is my happiest day of the year, no lie. The thought of flowers and grass and gardens and warmth just fills me with delight. Be gone dreadful winter! Aren't you loving it too?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So here's an update on all those things I have been working on. I finally finished the wallpaper. There are a few more details that we are working on so I'll just give you a teaser photo. I wish you could see the beautiful celadon green, (I think it was called livable green from Sherwin Williams) that I painted the wallpaper with. I absolutely love it. The color changes with the light. I tried taking photos in bright sunshine and on a cloudy day but to no avail. I just can't get a true color in the photo. Hopefully I'll be able to get a good photo for the reveal of this tiny space. It truly is the smallest entry ever. Just room enough to swing the door open and then either turn right and up a few steps to the kitchen or straight into the basement, but it was a bear to wallpaper! Dangling over the steps on that ladder made me feel like a real daredevil. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oXBkpKQouBmf4sfC1GemjJasmWIspP9FIJ1mz3rznEG8er5fhRpg_DfLgpRO62veNYjGIHc67B8wJVtw6FW3FwhX-8tzLScnz8T98dmjiUCIHGxbkW-Gr_GKzZJZsVkUzImaHZL4-vg/s1600/DSC08423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oXBkpKQouBmf4sfC1GemjJasmWIspP9FIJ1mz3rznEG8er5fhRpg_DfLgpRO62veNYjGIHc67B8wJVtw6FW3FwhX-8tzLScnz8T98dmjiUCIHGxbkW-Gr_GKzZJZsVkUzImaHZL4-vg/s640/DSC08423.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Secondly, the quilt I have been making for my sweet son in law came back from the quilter and I was able to bind it and it will soon be on it's way for his birthday :) My quilter is Kathy at <a href="http://kathystitchbystitch.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: red;">Stitch by Stitch</span></b></a> and I always love her work. She makes my amateur quilts look like a million bucks! At least to me ;) It's big enough for him to wrap up in, (queen size for my 6' 3" ish SIL!) and is extra snuggly with a blue checked flannel backing. I can't wait for him to open it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQF5wobw9EdOLSf6qFeFSYdrjhCNC15zAjTGnqDtAAbCY4DwAxK8EoIXnu32oYtgme_UadOWHV0LIWAbtL1hxvuhKTxOqiz3ZZZhyphenhyphenr-akQkvZNWZ1Yzcc8fS8wsE5z09CGMosq0lUfg4/s1600/DSC08432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQF5wobw9EdOLSf6qFeFSYdrjhCNC15zAjTGnqDtAAbCY4DwAxK8EoIXnu32oYtgme_UadOWHV0LIWAbtL1hxvuhKTxOqiz3ZZZhyphenhyphenr-akQkvZNWZ1Yzcc8fS8wsE5z09CGMosq0lUfg4/s640/DSC08432.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
The antique mahogany server is installed under the new tv. See my amazingly artful attempt at hiding cords? Ah well, it's a plaster wall and the husband doesn't want to drill into it. I'm ok with that. Getting rid of the giant bookshelves and entertainment cabinet really opened this room up! It looks so much bigger and brighter now. I'm loving it all. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEyGFpqn6o8gKX2SKMUpxWsZRR4H0TOkCep7BoslWyZMw1h2-X-zDt7DTLixyJTKUfWunq8czSe8HtJlNbRQw1q6Q_NnrImz7SnA36xr1nl0Bndwh3HgPlfwm_EhZFFi8UmySQn_fnN4/s1600/DSC08417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEyGFpqn6o8gKX2SKMUpxWsZRR4H0TOkCep7BoslWyZMw1h2-X-zDt7DTLixyJTKUfWunq8czSe8HtJlNbRQw1q6Q_NnrImz7SnA36xr1nl0Bndwh3HgPlfwm_EhZFFi8UmySQn_fnN4/s640/DSC08417.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
It's good to have those all finished, now I have another list to work on, but not today. Today I take it easy and wimp out because I have a bad cold. I always feel guilty if I'm not working on something, so illness gives me an excuse to veg and be a baby about things. I was able to whip up a batch of brownies to nosh on, because medicinal chocolate don't you know, and now I'm headed for a Netflix binge and lots of fluids. Hope you are enjoying your first day of Spring wherever you are!</div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-33911329904800900172017-03-01T15:07:00.002-05:002017-03-01T15:09:23.926-05:00My One Weakness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Disclaimer, This post title is inaccurate. Obviously my first and foremost weakness is my sweet husband. Love that guy to the moon and back. Ditto my girls. No, what I am talking about is a material weakness. If you know me at all, you know I'm frugal to a fault. My usual attitude when I am shopping is that I don't need to actually own something to enjoy it. I like to look. I like to enjoy the item and go home without a thought to where I will need to make room to store it. I am actually in the process of a MAJOR decluttering which includes biting the bullet and getting rid of some things I really have enjoyed over the years but that need to move on. <br />
<br />
I'm not a shoe fiend, I can pass on lots of decorative frippery, but my weakness, my Achilles heel if you will, is dishes. Crockery. Plates and mugs first and foremost but I like alllll the crockery.<br />
Now in keeping with my incredibly frugal nature, I have built my collection at yard sales, and thrift shops for the most part. My daughter, Victoria gave me a set of beautiful Johnson Brothers blue and white transfer ware for Christmas that I am now using for my every day dishes as a change from the plain white I have been using for several years. She knows me so well :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBV6Tfkc1pYv_ERdEQyxxGE-bZnwvkYl_qClJIMLu-NJJkQvqSmoa_iqIOE1NgGYtbCv0cSZd-WIciTopf1vtFCkr4B0WHFjqVetnbEdguT-4k8QeWnGkkmQYistDKPm8I66VK3g3aFk/s1600/DSC08392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBV6Tfkc1pYv_ERdEQyxxGE-bZnwvkYl_qClJIMLu-NJJkQvqSmoa_iqIOE1NgGYtbCv0cSZd-WIciTopf1vtFCkr4B0WHFjqVetnbEdguT-4k8QeWnGkkmQYistDKPm8I66VK3g3aFk/s640/DSC08392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Today I was in Homegoods, (and I know you know where this is going), and I spotted these...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1___Uw8MKwXAi57RuH1lrgyYMzIXzfbzVYfMrzV0ikhb14saW_2KWwWIukQsKj9tPstXPu2ZaB_apDiH569EJ1p23hgdN3Y_ZNNCu7qBYYnYjOPQfyl5T_Wf8TRE5w7czk9JHoYQwYI4/s1600/DSC08378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1___Uw8MKwXAi57RuH1lrgyYMzIXzfbzVYfMrzV0ikhb14saW_2KWwWIukQsKj9tPstXPu2ZaB_apDiH569EJ1p23hgdN3Y_ZNNCu7qBYYnYjOPQfyl5T_Wf8TRE5w7czk9JHoYQwYI4/s640/DSC08378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And immediately I'm all<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwYyvezZ_Xyq1RCDQy2UpCdeNAUdaCznCsD_VDBkUYqB_FLRVndGyn-wi0q-uL16JdTRYtjuBzXxHiLZ_8lYRERFfNk-3Y8o68rDgpZJpT1ezQp64aB9YGb57LhV9AFOyICwvOf_vm1Y/s1600/LoveEmoji3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwYyvezZ_Xyq1RCDQy2UpCdeNAUdaCznCsD_VDBkUYqB_FLRVndGyn-wi0q-uL16JdTRYtjuBzXxHiLZ_8lYRERFfNk-3Y8o68rDgpZJpT1ezQp64aB9YGb57LhV9AFOyICwvOf_vm1Y/s1600/LoveEmoji3.png" /></a>.They're called Devon Cottage from Johnson Brothers, one of my favorite makers.<br />
<br />
So I texted Victoria and asked, didn't she thing these would go great with the plates she got me for Christmas? She agreed they would and she liked them so much she wanted some too. Well. CLEARLY I was supposed to buy these plates so I could hand them down some day right? I had 6 in the cart, she asked how many they had and I said 8 ,(I was wrong they only had 7), and she pointed out that I would regret leaving those plates behind. I knew she was right, so I got the last plate and told her if she found one at the store near her she could get it for me for mother's day. Oh my dear little enabler.<br />
So now it only remains that I have to explain to Earl that I bought more dishes. <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXf2I1p0sP_BJvPhA5n571-kFOKPOAGx77Vor6rcgnmt1mJDvJ0N7AJ9SFaj2nOjvrtSfUtbdMbG1QUll0afuX5ceGMejozYDa_AQ_KIJJ0vqs8Mcrxhw4dwwLc4gTsukJJDjthSg0Ww/s1600/flushed-face2.jpg" />Good thing I'm HIS only weakness :) Besides, I can always show him this photo. I saw this grill in Homegoods,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVJg-T9nnKEWo0bpRvmz65BtUcL5n1M96JRGqQvlXVxjRUkUoQF3Cr76PEnbWTqjvGMtkBTDWsAxzkriOcHnPIeTeLqpz3XzmDSvaSxPKdiYVxteAd3Ek1rVtUjJHC1JTV0-1D2cJIPk/s1600/hg.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVJg-T9nnKEWo0bpRvmz65BtUcL5n1M96JRGqQvlXVxjRUkUoQF3Cr76PEnbWTqjvGMtkBTDWsAxzkriOcHnPIeTeLqpz3XzmDSvaSxPKdiYVxteAd3Ek1rVtUjJHC1JTV0-1D2cJIPk/s640/hg.bmp" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqwhFYrSio98syOwluWq9LpRVFDx8WFKAHd3jBhu0SyaUlzM0GNlQ8cpWcnZSXDB7jqkw_qwgCfn1wiWHNQlxHCUJg7TK8kryWLSI-tYYPzaE8yQaOgUkoo_KjdTBLPHIpdYRxo6t7Ps/s1600/hg2.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqwhFYrSio98syOwluWq9LpRVFDx8WFKAHd3jBhu0SyaUlzM0GNlQ8cpWcnZSXDB7jqkw_qwgCfn1wiWHNQlxHCUJg7TK8kryWLSI-tYYPzaE8yQaOgUkoo_KjdTBLPHIpdYRxo6t7Ps/s640/hg2.bmp.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
My first thought was, good heavens, who would buy that? But the yellow tag hanging from it's ear actually say SOLD. It wasn't me. I was just buying these dishes. You're welcome honey!<br />
<br />
Happy March! Spring is only 19 days away :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-16741761460936416982017-02-20T17:20:00.000-05:002017-02-20T17:21:13.114-05:00Fascinating Facts about my Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been informed by my daughters that it has been over a month since my last post. Yes, yes it has. January / February are so uninspiring that I usually end up sitting on the sofa binge watching whatever I can stomach and trying not to look out the window. It's Michigan, and Michigan winters will do that to you. This month marks 10 years of nonsensical ramblings on this blog and I sometimes think I have hit the wall. In honor of that 10 year anniversary, I will dig down deep, even though it is still February, (the sun is shining and it's a balmy 40 degrees out so that helps!), and find some fascinating news for you and for my kids. You're welcome.<br />
<br />
First of all, I have gotten exactly two pieces of wallpaper up in the back entry. I will pause to allow you to stop laughing. Earl and I finally started the wallpapering Saturday. He put up the first piece, intending to do it all, because he is just that kind of husband. He thought I wouldn't want to get on the ladder and he was trying to be gallant. He IS gallant, all the time, but he hates / detests/ loathes/ and despises wallpapering. That became evident IMMEDIATELY. After the first piece I gently talked him down off the ladder and proceeded with the second piece. Both pieces had bubbles I could not get to lay down, so I decided the best thing to do was to retreat and see what happened when they dried. Here is a sneak peek at the paper so far.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcChA2wiiu8j7_gmjOlMBfjFNOQIxf7gDGTFexfUD3iTJ_5RMWKDxiyR4L8dKPUvcoaMtXd24aoSazkk7dg_TEblvrmgBsBxaSndqCkeOWnCnsYSBKi71UimYFKuUjCZj3sT6RbDq2q0Y/s1600/DSC08363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcChA2wiiu8j7_gmjOlMBfjFNOQIxf7gDGTFexfUD3iTJ_5RMWKDxiyR4L8dKPUvcoaMtXd24aoSazkk7dg_TEblvrmgBsBxaSndqCkeOWnCnsYSBKi71UimYFKuUjCZj3sT6RbDq2q0Y/s640/DSC08363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Fortunately, when the paper dried the bubbles disappeared! I love the paper and now I can finish it, hopefully this week. I will be painting it once it's all up. I think I know what color I want to go with but since I am fickle and prone to last minute changes it could go any number of ways.<br />
<br />
No photos of the new t.v. area. When we got rid of the bookshelves and entertainment center we noticed the drywall tape was bubbled so it is in the process of being fixed. I'm almost finished and hoping we can get that project knocked out of the way this week too. <br />
<br />
In other news, I stopped at Kroger today and picked up these discounted hydrangeas for a whopping $3.50 because discount flowers are my spirit animal. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzvRElzxN3NH69Hie_3TG2VPtsA23gNCnGq-jyHGJ-u_65pbKkyxON-llZje1V6Er9IkCMv1cdnNj5US2MgHBnQ_hsVN8xbitLCCe-CaLtaoYeE51m-LMzJpQwkS6Gogsx9D_slt3CGc/s1600/DSC08370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzvRElzxN3NH69Hie_3TG2VPtsA23gNCnGq-jyHGJ-u_65pbKkyxON-llZje1V6Er9IkCMv1cdnNj5US2MgHBnQ_hsVN8xbitLCCe-CaLtaoYeE51m-LMzJpQwkS6Gogsx9D_slt3CGc/s640/DSC08370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I go to a ladies bible study on Monday mornings. It's a Beth Moore Study called Breaking Free and I'm really enjoying it. Today I decided to stop at Tim Hortons and pick up the big pack of donut holes to share. Now, I almost never eat donuts, but I just had a craving today and thought I would share. There are about 22 of us who attend. Do you know about 18 of those ladies have more willpower than I do? I saw one skinny girl eat one (bless her heart!) and most of those silly things were still in the box when we finished for the day. I left them for our Pastor...after I ate about 3 more.<br />
Right now I'm kind of wishing I brought them home, but glad I didn't or the self loathing would be intense.<br />
<br />
There is this photo of my feet that I put on Instagram, because everyone wants to see my feet right? It was in celebration of the temps hitting 57 that day. Flip flop weather in Michigan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNV79FuTlqARhw0Xcj5dOR1QhYr_CvTlj1iHcHxMomDAsH6d-CbqKeJ2cL2yiyGs-oKMzr9fdOh12VezRarNV7GyfhLftQeKOKoClht2yEQ6AkdtO6-5X2Wx81Irgw91TXhhB718xP2w/s1600/feet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNV79FuTlqARhw0Xcj5dOR1QhYr_CvTlj1iHcHxMomDAsH6d-CbqKeJ2cL2yiyGs-oKMzr9fdOh12VezRarNV7GyfhLftQeKOKoClht2yEQ6AkdtO6-5X2Wx81Irgw91TXhhB718xP2w/s640/feet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
You're welcome.<br />
<br />
Oooh! I did get some happy mail! I got the most fabulous box of hand made chocolates from <br />
<a href="http://chatelainechocolate.com/"><span style="color: red;"><b>La Chatelaine Chocolat Company</b></span></a>, Best chocolate I have EVER tasted. Earl and I had so much fun trying all their amazing flavors. I highly recommend these for a special gift or to treat yourself. No, they did not sponsor this post or pay me. Just my recommendation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Riwe9EPyaKXD0YZhDExLbVhjDC2mAwYJFI6SFHA4ampEUwon42URZxBtaNqlG350ZeLuexqdvJ74IOP_rRbRdLv-bwAdw6P6KA3WDc6tA5YfduudlvXlMzoEajivZq2Y9Pz8wx4WqIA/s1600/chocolate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Riwe9EPyaKXD0YZhDExLbVhjDC2mAwYJFI6SFHA4ampEUwon42URZxBtaNqlG350ZeLuexqdvJ74IOP_rRbRdLv-bwAdw6P6KA3WDc6tA5YfduudlvXlMzoEajivZq2Y9Pz8wx4WqIA/s640/chocolate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Also, I should have blogged about this earlier, but BJ at <a href="http://bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;"><b>Sweet Nothings</b></span></a> had a giveaway a few months ago and I won! I won this gorgeous house number from Ramsign and I can't wait for Spring so I can put it on the house. I have been wanting one of these for ages! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlLDiB484F9qNNFmQaJUC2UNj09evD6haDvh5sxfPDtgjyqxvMAMMD3bnKs1O5u52gNyiH-gLFC3QkoLkcC-iwU9LzsP_mroXoevF7qvuKfAF7J3RzjGZFGWCAXvSxbrAWew9ZadO7P8/s1600/DSC08372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlLDiB484F9qNNFmQaJUC2UNj09evD6haDvh5sxfPDtgjyqxvMAMMD3bnKs1O5u52gNyiH-gLFC3QkoLkcC-iwU9LzsP_mroXoevF7qvuKfAF7J3RzjGZFGWCAXvSxbrAWew9ZadO7P8/s640/DSC08372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
While I am on the subject of BJ, Some of you probably have already heard that dear Mr. Sweet is going through some health problems that may be very serious. Please say a prayer for him and BJ. They have been together a long time and have the most wonderful family. BJ and I have been blog friends for pretty close to the whole 10 years I have been blogging, and although we have never met I love her dearly. Funny how that can happen isn't it? We share so much of our daily lives I sometimes think we know our blog friends better than we know some of our friends that are right here with us. I keep Mr. Sweet and the family in my prayers each day and I hope you will too. <br />
<br />
And there you have it, all the news and up to date. Hopefully I can get my blogging mojo back and be a little more regular with my posting. Hope this finds you all well, I do visit but it has been a bit more sporadic lately. Just a few more weeks until Spring. I can't wait!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-10018552693966372942017-01-18T16:29:00.000-05:002017-01-18T16:43:52.834-05:00Cupcakes, Projects and Fun Finds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Is it still January? Hmmm, well here are a few things I accomplished so far in this warm/cold/wet/icy month. The weather has been all over the place so far with ice storms and a flooded yard. I am praying that the basement doesn't flood from the downpours we have been having. When the ground is frozen like this there is nowhere for the water to go. So far so good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When it's cold outside I want to bake. Chocolate cupcakes with rich chocolate frosting and a sprinkling of stars brighten things up nicely. Who else thinks winter was made for baking?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV63Bxo1E7-9xYg07Sq1setl7ZaSKQgNMHHJ21w5XKeBbWSQ5zI1jl9Fmt4Etr-5zUeMUQ3xOEfKAEFANpJBgaJvxNvelz-ROlQBUEmN7AT6aYKdrjcZ5_28HZUZdLmd2SUV6tsxyNvVM/s1600/DSC08304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV63Bxo1E7-9xYg07Sq1setl7ZaSKQgNMHHJ21w5XKeBbWSQ5zI1jl9Fmt4Etr-5zUeMUQ3xOEfKAEFANpJBgaJvxNvelz-ROlQBUEmN7AT6aYKdrjcZ5_28HZUZdLmd2SUV6tsxyNvVM/s640/DSC08304.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Earl knows that these grey cloudy skies and the barren landscape can only mean one thing, cheer Kathy up with flowers. He found these beauties at the grocery store. Cream roses with the barest peachy pink blush in the center of the petals, mixed with white lilies. This is just one of the reasons I will keep him forever, believe me, there are a million more :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bI_ftXBEqiHSjav8H2QDeeteT6MIWyeODczEg_z0i8IZUApODtl4RnYmBNCIeICTbujJ5exWWAPE81UbYk5aGxZxXJYDr-8DEd9_MIgc0vnLhbCOCbF1a0v26AJRWSPMuIbZ_kH7QA4/s1600/DSC08320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bI_ftXBEqiHSjav8H2QDeeteT6MIWyeODczEg_z0i8IZUApODtl4RnYmBNCIeICTbujJ5exWWAPE81UbYk5aGxZxXJYDr-8DEd9_MIgc0vnLhbCOCbF1a0v26AJRWSPMuIbZ_kH7QA4/s640/DSC08320.JPG" width="534" /></a></div>
To counterbalance the cupcakes and other winter baking, I am looking for new soup recipes. I found this<a href="http://thecafesucrefarine.com/2016/02/slow-cooker-lemon-orzo-chicken-soup/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;"><b>Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup</b></span></a> on <a href="http://thecafesucrefarine.com/"><span style="color: red;"><b>The Café Sucre Farine</b></span></a> and it is a keeper! I have already made it twice. My suggestion? Double the lemon ;) This is a soup you can make in the crock pot, but I had some frozen cooked chicken and home made broth so I made it stove top lickety split. It has a bit of Turmeric in it which is supposed to be a great anti inflammatory. From the same website I also made the<a href="http://thecafesucrefarine.com/2014/01/beef-bourguignon-soup/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;"><b>Beef Bourguignon Soup</b></span></a> recipe and it was amazing. Check out her website, so far everything I have made from her recipes is a keeper.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc18lw6NBtB_CfwwmSnzND-Hx864LFVp9IlYSEuui5DPg_3UDZo1wm-CiiCx-qrCh3Mfrmi7H3lQZvdTVde9AadQIpBPtr-PBu_Icw2b7J1KbMZm5_WjTiMcKNLHBaKSiNpuYfEswDPUE/s1600/DSC08324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc18lw6NBtB_CfwwmSnzND-Hx864LFVp9IlYSEuui5DPg_3UDZo1wm-CiiCx-qrCh3Mfrmi7H3lQZvdTVde9AadQIpBPtr-PBu_Icw2b7J1KbMZm5_WjTiMcKNLHBaKSiNpuYfEswDPUE/s640/DSC08324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And lastly, I think I mentioned we are in the process of buying a newfangled flat screen tv. Everything around here is a process, but first I had to move a large book shelf, which meant I had to find a new home for an extra dresser AND the old entertainment center that holds the old tv. Now you know why everything takes so long, all that shuffling. At any rate, the things that need to go have been spoken for and will be picked up soon, and when that happens I wanted something to go under the new tv. I actually stepped into a furniture store and then stepped right back out. A very poorly constructed console or server for under the tv would have been $1200. If I had loved it I could have paid it, but after years of buying well made cast offs for a pittance I couldn't see shelling out that kind of cabbage for something that I thought was basically a piece of junk. So off to the local antique emporium I went, and found the perfect solid mahogany sideboard for a small percentage of the junky new piece. This server cost $250. It's solid, I like the lines, the swoopy drawer design, the cabinet doors that came with a skeleton key (love!) and the price. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__0vEwNVCZ-Ews5ZMyvy4JiJDXUlFpHeekrPCD99iZ6Fpw2geiYXHK6XJ_vHCNaErWPGFHSu8LB-Kj3K6aBWYuT0_Z6rKjlOSxdKqgprD2EUWYrJ1Xh0psLlawvghX44N5EEr-fkMC5k/s1600/DSC08329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__0vEwNVCZ-Ews5ZMyvy4JiJDXUlFpHeekrPCD99iZ6Fpw2geiYXHK6XJ_vHCNaErWPGFHSu8LB-Kj3K6aBWYuT0_Z6rKjlOSxdKqgprD2EUWYrJ1Xh0psLlawvghX44N5EEr-fkMC5k/s640/DSC08329.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is cooling its heels in the dining room until the other items go to their new home. I told Earl that I reserve the right to paint it, because...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbz2OHyCL-QsrxHMt2OLLGla10K28rIsAKLpApicaHWy4k4aTFNbof8u0pYfD7m5v-K3ePtBjlHj_5bCELQjOhZkZ9HJorubN9g7KoZefI8RIfy8C7nYlxL3o5j3U6yNE3l4wRdKW9-Q/s1600/ac539d90aad5277e615f776f3c29daca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbz2OHyCL-QsrxHMt2OLLGla10K28rIsAKLpApicaHWy4k4aTFNbof8u0pYfD7m5v-K3ePtBjlHj_5bCELQjOhZkZ9HJorubN9g7KoZefI8RIfy8C7nYlxL3o5j3U6yNE3l4wRdKW9-Q/s640/ac539d90aad5277e615f776f3c29daca.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-macmillans-converted-greenhouse-house-tour-194669#gallery/44879/37" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF70b5okwr6KaL_zLOgWGBk7xg9ZxlT7lpDJKWBN8O_pfmlBCEdXIEOJdEf1LjissxaU8wPvkx_O_VK20YO8Ms8NpJSqY5m1RvF2Ct4HNgF2kjEYUdv2TvsU3BUbbL-yjy5pCZqPVaDus/s1600/dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF70b5okwr6KaL_zLOgWGBk7xg9ZxlT7lpDJKWBN8O_pfmlBCEdXIEOJdEf1LjissxaU8wPvkx_O_VK20YO8Ms8NpJSqY5m1RvF2Ct4HNgF2kjEYUdv2TvsU3BUbbL-yjy5pCZqPVaDus/s640/dresser.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://ferpieandfray.com/" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>I do love painted furniture and I might be leaning toward a pretty green. Making my mind up is the hard part. <br />
<br />
We are also still working on the back entry refresh. My darling husband insisted on doing some of the more heinous scraping and wallpaper removal. I had peeled off the top layer of the old paper and the paper backing was left. The backing was tight and smooth and my first thought was to paper right over it, because #lazy. It might have worked but we decided to do it the right way, (sigh). SO Earl spent a recent Saturday on the ladder scraping. My knight in shining armor. I am working on getting the old green trim painted sparkling white and my wallpaper came this week, (yay!!!!) so I am hoping it will be finished in a couple more weekends. <br />
<br />
That's my January so far. Lest you think I am some kind of white tornado around here, I spend a good portion of my days sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee trying to work up enough energy to get anything done. Are you working on indoor projects too?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-89787539089808931282017-01-04T14:13:00.001-05:002017-01-04T14:14:11.792-05:00Happy New Year!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few days late to be sure, but why not wish happiness on more than day one? I am seeing so many who have chosen a word or resolution, I must be a slacker extraordinaire, because I tend to think a New Year should be a blank slate. A time to let the pressures of last year fall away leaving the white nothingness of a clean sheet of paper to write my life on. Oh I do wax poetic. Truth is I know I am not one for feeling pressured to chose a word or affirmative life action, so I tend to sit back and give myself the first few weeks off. No pressure or expectations. It's actually a great way to start the year :)<br />
<br />
Just to catch up on what has been happening, which is precious little to tell the truth, we spent New Years Eve with friends and actually left by around 10pm. Both exhausted for some reason and just not up to hanging on until Midnight. We were well asleep by the time the New Year crept in, but were awakened by the mortars going off next door. No rest for the weary apparently, but I just realized I even freed myself of the expectation of staying awake until New Year. I rock lowered expectations.<br />
<br />
The next day was the big extended family Christmas party and Earl made his yearly Bushe de Noel, this time in the form of a birch log. The outer "bark" is white chocolate with dark chocolate knots and details. The top is meringue piped in circles, baked and laid on top of the cake to simulate the inside of the log, and the cute mushrooms are meringue too. The cake itself is yellow cake layers with chocolate ganache filling. It was as tasty as it is pretty. I always love seeing what he will come up with :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJxcJ1QFEFcgvCIdkwZ9-Xy9okmrGra4bbHvxF2hZ5x90ctvsB3mtV6fHkb_mUtiOVpjg0KzIlPQ-MGM3SOgNrdbq19ubFU8lJopUbeBJAYwsvZUl2Yq5bLiS05OeUbluNE-TTvP8vPA/s1600/DSC08278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJxcJ1QFEFcgvCIdkwZ9-Xy9okmrGra4bbHvxF2hZ5x90ctvsB3mtV6fHkb_mUtiOVpjg0KzIlPQ-MGM3SOgNrdbq19ubFU8lJopUbeBJAYwsvZUl2Yq5bLiS05OeUbluNE-TTvP8vPA/s640/DSC08278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
You may remember my <strike>not so</strike> subtle hints for a certain traveler to think of Christmas while they were in England this autumn and <a href="http://kathyscottage.blogspot.com/2016/09/autumn-in-england.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">pick up an Emma Bridgewater something</span></b></a> for their mama.<br />
Well the ever so gentle, almost subliminal suggestion worked beautifully and this little gem was waiting for me under the tree.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGQ7axkKeQ3V4riViKd0pYHr9TL_UWtO6tE93K4yuWZ5Zu9Zjv6IYPRTfSF9ngar0bKBzEJ2tXiYLFCArPLbqnmOgWVliIaPHDU_n95Pz09dEe1nnujRY7AfHrZ0EEq_V7UDyHOpuo2w/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGQ7axkKeQ3V4riViKd0pYHr9TL_UWtO6tE93K4yuWZ5Zu9Zjv6IYPRTfSF9ngar0bKBzEJ2tXiYLFCArPLbqnmOgWVliIaPHDU_n95Pz09dEe1nnujRY7AfHrZ0EEq_V7UDyHOpuo2w/s640/Capture.JPG" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other side of the mug says, "Mum is the best" and the inside rim says, "Mum is kind and strong"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It came with a darling Emma Bridgewater towel too, but the message on the mug just touches this mother's heart :)<br />
<br />
I spent yesterday taking down the Christmas decorations. As much as I love the lights and fun of the Christmas décor, something about January calls for calm and quiet. It may be the only time of year that I actually wish I had an all white house. At the moment it almost feels too blank and empty after the tree and lights have been removed. I have a very hard time with "winter décor" because I hate winter. I am over it completely by January 2. Anything winter themed is not appealing at the moment. I am working on keeping some of the mercury glass and white decorations out in an attempt to spice things up. So far I have one corner of the living room redecorated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-jk6nr6Cu1EOVsL26sH4d2IpGELFH-RqaJ4BYimVP_YgViw2RYHlxXEQ75njH2oXUjnpusd5sSe1wD8yZd079I6idHgKnSb1S2VANu5kc0vZl5prkc1h5MGm_v1Cy6lT8P5LnRHsWIs/s1600/DSC08291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-jk6nr6Cu1EOVsL26sH4d2IpGELFH-RqaJ4BYimVP_YgViw2RYHlxXEQ75njH2oXUjnpusd5sSe1wD8yZd079I6idHgKnSb1S2VANu5kc0vZl5prkc1h5MGm_v1Cy6lT8P5LnRHsWIs/s640/DSC08291.JPG" width="418" /></a></div>
Yes, I know the cords show, part of my easy going January attitude ;) This is our library table, because this family librarys a lot. Books tended to be strewn over every flat surface of the living room until we found this gorgeous table for a steal at a garage sale. Now the books go here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJGwxEVz7G-KW79IvHmpnqfpvzSpbI-ZuqaBgcPBer9ttHy4mzfe-LLoHr-MsADPzfgEHN_iFL_Ip-T5lDRVfHyZUCEWfqK6pAXtdRWLWh3Y3TVD3wJzEcu99e0D2nl8QLruNy1Gdr0o/s1600/DSC08292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJGwxEVz7G-KW79IvHmpnqfpvzSpbI-ZuqaBgcPBer9ttHy4mzfe-LLoHr-MsADPzfgEHN_iFL_Ip-T5lDRVfHyZUCEWfqK6pAXtdRWLWh3Y3TVD3wJzEcu99e0D2nl8QLruNy1Gdr0o/s640/DSC08292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Family photos, a few silvery accents and some battery operated candles that are on a timer so I don't even have to light them. Some of these items will eventually be moved as there are a few large items of furniture that I will be taking out of this room in preparation for a new flat screen tv that is coming soon. 2017 will see some improvements in the house, as most years have.<br />
<br />
Now I am off to strip the old wallpaper off the walls in the back entryway! The new wallpaper is on it's way and with a little paint and elbow grease I will have a sparkling bright entry in a week or so.<br />
<br />
I hope your New Year is going smoothly, and happily. Ease up on yourself and enjoy a few weeks of possibilities and low pressure! And thank you to all who have been stopping by for so many years. It makes me smile to read each comment!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325471728565796895.post-35514644100197528432016-12-21T20:00:00.002-05:002016-12-21T20:04:19.973-05:00Christmas Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wouldn't blame you if you were tired of seeing Christmas splashed all over blogs. We've been enjoying the decorations for weeks now. I have to say though, this isn't your normal tour. I'm not a decorating blog, I don't claim any amazing design skills or fancy pants ideas to make you run right out and copy, not that there is time for that now. Most of you have been visiting for years. We are old friends. Do you know I've been writing this blog coming up on 10 years?</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, I think you know what to expect by now. This is just real life. Well, cleaned up real life with all the junk stashed in the room you won't see, just like it would be if you came for coffee. ;)</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So grab a cup and take the tour. we'll visit like the old friends we are. And if we are new friends, welcome! I don't put on any airs, grab a mug and lets take a look at Christmas here in the cottage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZQlN_R944oqN7a8DuHyNkRWdxWOMX0ezMkh0KAAEkUIgv90seAOkDNu0ORUmbP_HNQbtra5aSS7TgR2-1gajchcHBUkDVgxYN5ZzyjeLi04a8RlBA-izSauxAlHIvHFkKvX-EOi2ta8/s1600/DSC08200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZQlN_R944oqN7a8DuHyNkRWdxWOMX0ezMkh0KAAEkUIgv90seAOkDNu0ORUmbP_HNQbtra5aSS7TgR2-1gajchcHBUkDVgxYN5ZzyjeLi04a8RlBA-izSauxAlHIvHFkKvX-EOi2ta8/s640/DSC08200.JPG" width="522" /></a></div>
We can start in the kitchen. I made some gingerbread boys this afternoon. I wish you could smell the gingerbread baking. truth be told, I baked them for the smell as much as the taste. It smells like Christmas :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQozR2ZeIljV8sISAT0718OlaN0NJ0ydeOrIUwFBLq5UP7LZrCjA93k13VF28CCoQCDFYRqQNxt1cMLCXi1X-Ui1F0WHjgVjl93E0JCcMkBwZhODfzXdYJW8TLcjqYICnfuYaUZBVSFWo/s1600/DSC08201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQozR2ZeIljV8sISAT0718OlaN0NJ0ydeOrIUwFBLq5UP7LZrCjA93k13VF28CCoQCDFYRqQNxt1cMLCXi1X-Ui1F0WHjgVjl93E0JCcMkBwZhODfzXdYJW8TLcjqYICnfuYaUZBVSFWo/s640/DSC08201.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
I found the cutest little cheap tree at Walmart this year. $18 and it fits in the corner of the kitchen just perfectly. I also found the most awesome rice lights to go on it. There is no plug over there so I needed some battery operated lights. I found these on amazon and they come with a remote so I don't have to fiddle around digging for the on and off switch. I used them on the birch star Earl made me last year too. I love that thing. You'll see a lot of stars in the house as we go through. See the cookies cooling on the stove?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzvWW3nshhpnG3w9Lgr1M43ditHRFFEawYGUYjrPr5aRTZJykH3ADS3ls5rGDE0trdH4n6R7fEsfxptIu8LsUX_B4MLEFOzCp4QESP4PoSiWMHfoNZqtjGiwCZpLTwahyBFvCznun2HM/s1600/DSC08203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzvWW3nshhpnG3w9Lgr1M43ditHRFFEawYGUYjrPr5aRTZJykH3ADS3ls5rGDE0trdH4n6R7fEsfxptIu8LsUX_B4MLEFOzCp4QESP4PoSiWMHfoNZqtjGiwCZpLTwahyBFvCznun2HM/s640/DSC08203.JPG" width="412" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNYnOBXwJEr83bdGrl_7sU2UVAlUJtnjopOqyZpeSS_DhutK-BDJB1wJsNzmQy4VlSiKy6y1b8mCUHhrgUKf4VbDP4Al1W4NUX33Hrmfm7logA8E1Mzr8XC20kGjquY2Ycrs5qZ7WPuU/s1600/DSC08219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNYnOBXwJEr83bdGrl_7sU2UVAlUJtnjopOqyZpeSS_DhutK-BDJB1wJsNzmQy4VlSiKy6y1b8mCUHhrgUKf4VbDP4Al1W4NUX33Hrmfm7logA8E1Mzr8XC20kGjquY2Ycrs5qZ7WPuU/s640/DSC08219.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
Over by the fridge I just added some bright red accents to the shelves full of Jadeite. I lit the shelves with some more rice lights to brighten the dark corner and add a little sparkle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkSHJTekCTSdJSWTv12LbATNqhlrqrszZ8lw282TiAwuB1ds5O1oQfqZVcMUUUC8C_v15E0-iHxjTwtEfTyhdM0yCWKh1u0ysv6droTJLiuSHeif7u-IYjENGhexZcw52oWRVm6oLJaE/s1600/DSC08197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkSHJTekCTSdJSWTv12LbATNqhlrqrszZ8lw282TiAwuB1ds5O1oQfqZVcMUUUC8C_v15E0-iHxjTwtEfTyhdM0yCWKh1u0ysv6droTJLiuSHeif7u-IYjENGhexZcw52oWRVm6oLJaE/s640/DSC08197.JPG" width="542" /></a></div>
If you turn around and look from the kitchen you'll see the dining room. I love my flocked tree in the corner. Earl has it covered in the bird ornaments he has collected for years. Since we spend so much time in the kitchen and dining room I like to have a tree out here where we can see it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps0laBYxi2eM8X-88sAjN0TWGizlkHAu2Hx7gTFpGkS1Z4d8WduNBGBDyxFWrOiEfVo70IbchFaYdNTJ8ShSJifhNfgHheRVMMDYJgjAwiqmbUeFExxLxbT29Ag4wtWrTHgChipl6364/s1600/DSC08182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps0laBYxi2eM8X-88sAjN0TWGizlkHAu2Hx7gTFpGkS1Z4d8WduNBGBDyxFWrOiEfVo70IbchFaYdNTJ8ShSJifhNfgHheRVMMDYJgjAwiqmbUeFExxLxbT29Ag4wtWrTHgChipl6364/s640/DSC08182.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
My eldest daughter gave me the table runner as an early Christmas gift. I had these lighted galvanized stars from last year and thought they would look cute woven into the greenery. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhvK7O0HivA5G2cO1BiKsfA7ZLO05HEO58gO1wUcuIGgoX8AcnBvn4M7QgAp3Qc6iQ3w1b0S4xCichAfeyz0Y4B4Frwz02EDDehwHMw2Po5T-b4qtfTzdELsfOC3xQyZRyYslLclOShc/s1600/DSC08139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhvK7O0HivA5G2cO1BiKsfA7ZLO05HEO58gO1wUcuIGgoX8AcnBvn4M7QgAp3Qc6iQ3w1b0S4xCichAfeyz0Y4B4Frwz02EDDehwHMw2Po5T-b4qtfTzdELsfOC3xQyZRyYslLclOShc/s640/DSC08139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The living room is next. I had a stash of plaid flannel so I whipped up some pillow covers for winter. They are so soft and bright and cozy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqcY_N68ai1NsIqbd_r2_jLjx7aII7hmBm4ZDe-yNXdE5FUjJaKsxK41GlmoGf9J8Av9Chyphenhyphen2mLfX-10NCtb-DdTf7sKjRmPxGice5l21vGvo-llQkP_UmX7AcY0zhXNyWRzQaIItosp4/s1600/DSC08148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqcY_N68ai1NsIqbd_r2_jLjx7aII7hmBm4ZDe-yNXdE5FUjJaKsxK41GlmoGf9J8Av9Chyphenhyphen2mLfX-10NCtb-DdTf7sKjRmPxGice5l21vGvo-llQkP_UmX7AcY0zhXNyWRzQaIItosp4/s640/DSC08148.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Across the room is the table top tree we cut last Saturday. We had the best time! It was a crisp winter morning but not so cold that we were uncomfortable. We rode the wagon into the field and found our tree. Then we stopped at a beautiful inn built in 1850 for lunch. It was a perfect day, and we decided it would be our new Christmas tradition. That large bookshelf on the left will be leaving soon. We are joining the 21st century and replacing our old tv with a flat screen. We are going to need that wall!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdCsiithdlQxWdTtXJDushI5CT7gvdW4d2s3ifvg0hE4QAM9ktdrfvExCcps4ARrP7jeSGKtyKQ7gVoT1W_Z30tE5jtiCEUnUUq04SvV7yOCPqBqSv0zMyduZFX_wXdHQ09-QOvPImgk/s1600/DSC08123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdCsiithdlQxWdTtXJDushI5CT7gvdW4d2s3ifvg0hE4QAM9ktdrfvExCcps4ARrP7jeSGKtyKQ7gVoT1W_Z30tE5jtiCEUnUUq04SvV7yOCPqBqSv0zMyduZFX_wXdHQ09-QOvPImgk/s640/DSC08123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Come into the bedroom. I dug an old quilt, that my great grandmother made, out of storage and used it on the bed. It's pretty fragile, some might consider it a cutter, but I plan to mend it where I can and use it gently. The tartan pillow came from a craft store, but my favorite part of the Christmas décor in here are these...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx32_5qba5i2xp99351aSwJRgbTOAbxDdxVdDFQjLAECLI9uupT87myEWNBEuuTpGV7akvIOAnNh2Pw7WgeTIuT5Rso00qlczoV_avPqUaj9RCuXc2MB1SdQ6ITamZjDcecsAdZH8ojZU/s1600/DSC08110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx32_5qba5i2xp99351aSwJRgbTOAbxDdxVdDFQjLAECLI9uupT87myEWNBEuuTpGV7akvIOAnNh2Pw7WgeTIuT5Rso00qlczoV_avPqUaj9RCuXc2MB1SdQ6ITamZjDcecsAdZH8ojZU/s640/DSC08110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I hung these paper stars over the bed, illuminated with 3 watt nightlight bulbs they glow so beautifully at night!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YfueiBusineXi7x30mDFbbBsz-n-c6YuWXbSNcys0t4Hdfob_ye7uOmgcbMNmqLaZLUQnYzQazvMw5Dtv_HLkMkp42XyiK1_ur4hjyWVb-ZspyOQg9mg93KeTTluokRkD5WJCTCW5sg/s1600/DSC08250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YfueiBusineXi7x30mDFbbBsz-n-c6YuWXbSNcys0t4Hdfob_ye7uOmgcbMNmqLaZLUQnYzQazvMw5Dtv_HLkMkp42XyiK1_ur4hjyWVb-ZspyOQg9mg93KeTTluokRkD5WJCTCW5sg/s640/DSC08250.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Ahhhh, I will be leaving these up for a couple months just because I love the light. And that's the tour! Stars and lights and trees, and cozy plaid flannel. Here in Michigan it's a VERY white Christmas so far and until January 2 I'm loving it. After that I want to spend the rest of the winter somewhere tropical. I hope you enjoyed the visit and I hope you are tucked snug in your homes surrounded by Christmas lights and things that make you smile. If I don't see you before Sunday, <br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Printable Christmas Greeting Card - Watercolor Wreath " src="https://www.greetingsisland.com/images/Cards/Holidays/Christmas/preview/pWatercolor-Wreath_1.png" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Kathleen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.com16