A new outfit...

First, let me say that I have not ironed the following clothes yet and that the pictures were taken at 5:30 this morning so they are not the best in the world.

But I finally found me a pair of "skinny" jeans I like. Yes, they are still basic Mom jeans. But I am 57 years old with a body shape to prove it, so if I wear Mom jeans, I have earned that right. I do like these those because they have the narrow legs down around the ankles so I can at least feel "skinny" even though I haven't seen skinny in more years than I want to think about. I also found me a new top to go with the skinny jeans. I love tops like this that can cover the fact that skinny hasn't shown up on your door step recently. The jeans are actually a medium blue, but the bad lighting makes them look darker than they really are.

For the first time in I don't know when, I am NOT carrying a Thirty-One purse today. (GASP!) About 6 or 7 years ago, my boss at the time gave us gift certificates from Belk for Christmas. I had been eye-balling this Aigner tote that entire Christmas season, but it was $49.00 so I didn't mention it to Santa. After Christmas at sale time, I took my gift certificate and went back and snagged it for $19.00.  It is still one of my favorite purses I have ever owned. 

Somethings I just can't part with. And one of those things is my shoes I got at Bass over 15 years ago. They come and go as far as "in style" goes. They need a good shoe shine right now, but they are still in great shape and one of the most comfortable shoes I own. I thought they would go good with my new outfit.

While I was trying to find everything to complete this ensemble, I got out my favorite bracelet. I wear this a lot on the weekends and to church, but I rarely wear watches or bracelets to work because I type all day and they tend to get in the way. This was a gift from my son's family and it is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry I own. I think it will look great with this outfit.

Subway Art

I see little signs and pictures all over the internet that are just a bunch of words randomly on a page that all revolve around one subject. I think they are just adorable. It would be so easy to use these for craft projects. Well, I just found out they have a name....Subway Art. Many of you probably already knew that because I am so behind the times sometimes. But here are some of the ones I saw that I love.

October/Halloween themed

Fall/Thanksgiving themed

Christmas themed. There were several of these I liked. Would love to here which of these Christmas ones are your favorite. 

Christmas #1

Christmas #2

Christmas #3

Christmas #4

Valentine's Day themed

Easter themed

4th of July themed

Vacation at the beach themed

Disney World vacation themed

And for the home....

The laundry room...

And finally,the craft room.

These are just too cute. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Top 10 - Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching so I went to Pinterest to get some ideas. Here are my top 10 things I found that caught my eye.

1. If you are having a party or are packing lunches for young ones, drawing faces with a sharpie on this little mandarin oranges cups would be cute. 

2. A nice idea for a children's party. Crumble Oreos for dirt on top of chocolate pudding cups. Insert a candy pumpkin and a Peeps ghost and you have a cute dessert.

3. I thing I will do this for me and hubby to have to snack on while we are giving out candy. Banana ghosts and Clementine or Tangerine pumpkins. Too cute.

4. Oh my goodness. I absolutely love these spooky dresses made from chicken wire and glow-in-the-dark spray paint. 

5. I also think hubby and I will have these mummies-in-a-blanket for supper on Halloween.

6. Not sure how orange and grape would taste together, but I may make this punch just to see. 

7. Now here is an easy food that I could do for Halloween. This is awesome. Witches brooms. 

8.  How cute are these Monster donuts. Plastic fangs, glazed donuts and chocolate chip eye. Easy as can be. 

9. This would be cute to do when you walk up on my porch. Just shred a trash bag and cut it open and hang it up. Set out a couple of brooms and a pumpkin and you are decorated for the evening. 

10. I found this on Pinterest. I am glad. I never miss Hocus Pocus or Casper during October. I was able to find Casper on DVD a few weeks back, but I still depend on the TV for my annual Hocus Pocus fix. 

Weekend wrap up....

Friday on the way home from work, I stopped at an estate sale. It was the second day so there wasn't much left. I did find this cute little jar that looked vintage. My niece found it online for me and it is from the 1930's. It was a tilted Lucky Joe mustard jar.



Friday night found me in a baking frenzy since I found out I could bring a dessert to the C & C Thirty-One meeting on Saturday. We were going to be discussing preparing for the Christmas season so she asked us to bring a favorite Christmas cookie...even if it was just a regular cookie. So I put my Lemon cookie cups in a Christmas container to add to the atmosphere.

For those who don't like lemon, I made Chocolate Chip in the mini muffin tins and stuck a red or green M & M in the center and line the pan with Christmas paper so it would keep with the theme. They turned out really good. I just bought the pre-made Toll House break apart cookie dough. I cut each cookie in 1/2 and dropped the dough in the cups and baked at 350 for 10-12 minutes and stuck an M & M in when I was done. I loved them. This recipe is perfect for children to make.

 

We got an awesome amenity. It is going to be available to hostesses only in December. If you are familiar with Thirty-One's large utility tote, you know that most people wish it stood up better when empty and wish it had pockets. With the new liner that snaps in, it it a very firm material and causes the tote to set up straight.

And it has 5 mesh pockets. I love it.

After the meeting, my daughter had to go to work and Shelby went to the 9 mile yard sale with me. Her mom accidentally took her sweater with her and she was freezing. We found booth that you could tell the people were clean and you could smell the clothing to tell it had been washed, so I snagged her a cute sweater for $1.00. She was so warm afterwards. (This was actually taken in Walmart's parking lot later in the day because she wanted to show mommy that she was warm.)

At the same yard sale, I found something I have been looking for for over two years. A hand crocheted shawl in a thicker yarn, not crochet thread. I don't like wearing jackets and this will be perfect until coat weather gets here. I am so thrilled that it was just $1.00 as well. 

(Back Side)

(Front Side)

I also picked up this cute little kitty figurine. I collect white porcelain cats. They still have some of their original coloring. I am going to leave them like that because you can tell they are old.

I picked up this cute Santa for my Santa collection.

I had to have this one to go with the red and turquoise decor I use in the kitchen at Christmas. It needs cleaned up, but it looks like dirt spots so should come clean just fine. 

I really liked this and I have several pill boxes for Christmas. Only problem is I think I may already have this one. Oh well, for .50 cents I could always use a second one.

I found this plaid napkin. I am going to do something crafty with it...just don't have any idea what.

I got this book for $1.00. I have read others by her and she is really good. 

After the yard sale, we went to Walmart and I picked up some Christmas material for making some crafts. I am not sure what I am making with it, but I really liked it and couldn't pass it up.

Today is a very special day because it is my sister, Rachel's birthday. She is just 13 months older than I am so we have always been very close. She is an amazing sister and I don't know what I would do without her. Love you Sis. Have a happy birthday. 

(Mom and Rachel)

The File Cabinet

UPDATE FROM THIS MORNING'S POST

THIS IS AN ORIGINAL POEM WRITTEN BY ME IN 1999/2000. PLEASE HONOR MY COPYRIGHT AND DO NOT USE WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION.

The File Cabinet

My heart is like a drawer, for each thing there is a file. 

Some stay there forever and some for just a while. 

One day as I was kneeling, the Lord began to look. 

As he saw the files I kept, I watched as his head shook.

“My child, this will not do. These files do not belong. 

You felt that you would need them all, but oh you were so wrong.” 

I watched as He flipped through them, reading every tab. 

Leaving in the good ones and pulling out the bad. 

He left in peace and kindness, but hate went in the trash. 

It was followed by greed and gossip. They were destined to be ash. 

He pulled out jealousy and fear, but left in hope and faith. 

I watched as He worked diligently; determination on his face. 

When all the wickedness was gone, empty slots could be seen. 

I watched His face light up with joy; his eyes began to gleam. 

He filled each empty folder with all the love that it would hold. 

He slipped them back into my heart to stay as I grow old. 

He dusted off His hands and said “I’m finished. I must be on my way. 

Now that we’ve cleaned out those old files, I’m in your heart to stay. 

For though you thought I’d left you and you wondered where I’d been, 

I was here all along just waiting for room to enter in.”

Copyright Brenda Keefer 2000