A little smile for Saturday.....

Things that have made me smile lately.....

This cute little necklace from Etsy. I love everything in her shop. Check out ZigZagz.

I love Garfield. When it comes to dieting, he nailed it.

I was recently blessed with winning a Michael's gift card from Leslie at Spoonful of Everything. I've been hanging onto it for a few weeks while I think through my upcoming projects. Since one of my great loves is yarn combined with birdhouses, I have decided to make a series of bird houses out of plastic canvas...one for each month/holiday. So I made a list of what colors I need and marked off what colors I had. So armed with my gift card and a coupon for 20% off my entire purchase, I headed to Michael's this morning. Check out my new yarn....and I still have $2.06 left on my card AND a coupon for 20% off my next entire purchase. I got mostly Red Heart because it makes the sturdiest canvas items. But I couldn't resist a couple of the Vanna Line.

I am really loving this shade of blue. I need to get these buttons from Little Red Cottage.



I am on the last book of the Chesapeake Shores Series by Sherryl Woods. I hate for it to end. I think there is a new one coming out at Christmas that I'll be getting for sure. When I finish a book series, I feel like I'm saying good bye to dear friends.

 

And the winner is.....

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE........

I normally use Random.org, but for some reason could not get it to work. It just kept the selecting a blank box as the winning number. So I decided to be adventurous and try something a little old fashioned, but it always worked in past years...an actual "drawing".

I wrote everyone's name on pieces of paper. If you blog or Facebooked for extra entries, you received an extra entry for each extra post you did. I put all the slips in my little basket and shook them up real good.

Then I reached in and drew out a name. And the winner is.....

Congratulations to Tiffany. Tiffany will have 48 hours to respond by emailing us her address to mamawsplace@gmail.com. Thanks to all who participated and stay tuned for more giveaways on down the road.

The Welcome Door.....

I am fanatical about welcome signs on the front door. When we moved in back in 1999, our next door neighbor changed her welcome sign with seasons and the holidays. I, too, had a variety of signs so it became a friendly competition of who would change their sign first when a new season or new holiday approached.

 I would leave for work thinking "I'm going to change my sign when I come home tonight." Only to return home 8 hours later and find Pat had beat me to it. Other times, she would be contemplating getting a different sign up only to walk outside and see I had changed mine. It was fun to see which one of us would get to it first. But we never cheated or jumped the gun by rushing a holiday or season. She moved about 5 years ago and we've had three different renters as neighbors since then.

Lady #1, hung a welcome sign and I thought "Yay! Somebody new to race with." But, alas, it was generic and she never changed it so the thrill was gone.

Family #2 had a small child and the dad worked out of town a lot. I must say, I got very attached to the young neighbors and when they moved to Wisconsin, my heart broke. We still stay in touch. She, too, loved her door signs. When I saw her hang her first one that was a seasonal one, I thought. Oh, yes. This is it. It's on. But, again, there was no competition. She told me she never knew when to change her sign so she just waited until she saw I had changed mine before she changed hers. I did not want this to be a Follow the Leader game. I'm competitive in a fun way and was missing the challenge.

Lo and behold, when they left Family #3 moved in. Day 1, she hangs out an Easter sign. I'm thinking "This is good." After Easter, I was busy and running behind on putting up my Easter stuff. I came home one day to find that The Mom had taken down her Easter and put up Spring. Woo hoo! Could it be? Can we get a competition going? Do I have someone who is with me on this? Come June, I put my beach one up and a few hours later, out came her sailboats. Alright! This is looking good. Fast forward to the end of June...the fourth of July is approaching...I'm getting my decor ready to change...she's outside getting ready for a yard sale...I walk over to say "hi"...she drops a bomb shell "We are moving." Well, there goes my competition.

So here it is the 3rd of August. The new tenant is due to move in any day. But I am going to kiss my competition goodbye. Alas, it is a HE. He is single and he is in law enforcement. For some reason, to me, I don't think he'll move in thinking "Let me get my welcome sign hung."

Oh, Pat, my dear sweet friend....WHY did you have to move!

Hodge Podge

Today I'm joining Wednesday Hodge Podge over at "From this side of the Pond". Thank you Joyce for some thought provoking questions.

1. Share a favorite song lyric.

I don't have a problem thinking of one; I have a problem thinking of WHICH one. I love music so I have many favorites and they are ever changing. But right now, my favorite lyric and one that really reaches down and touches my heart and soul is from a gospel song titled On the Banks of the Promised Land by Karen Peck and New River. My favorite line says “Hallelujah, what a morning, when I reach for His nail scarred hand. I will go from grace to glory on the banks of the promised land." Nothing picks me up and gives me hope faster than those precious words.

2. When was the last time someone yelled at you?

Well, that's a hard one. I don't come from a family of "yellers". I worked for a company about 3 1/2 years ago who hired a CFO who thought all the employees were redneck hillbillies and he was constantly yelling at everyone because he did not like anything we did. That was the catalyst that caused me to quit after 9 years and start my own business. We should have went to the labor board, but he was the owner's son and we new nothing would be done.

3. Money, fame, happiness...are they mutually exclusive?

I don't believe you need one to have the other and I don't believe that having the money or the fame would lead to the happiness. Money is what it is. You adjust your lifestyle to live within your income. Fame, to me, is something that I do not strive for nor would I want. As long as my family loves me, that is all that I need. As far as happiness, one of my favorite bible verses says it all "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:" - Philippians 4:11. I am a firm believer that life is what you make it and that we can bring happiness into our lives or we can roll around in the doldrums all the time. It's our choice.

4. What is your favorite dish to prepare for family and friends that doesn't require turning on the stove, oven or an outdoor grill?

Well, I don't cook, but I do manage dessert. So my favorite dish for family and friends would be no bake banana pudding with instant pudding, vanilla wafers, and bananas. See, told you I'm no cook.

5. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is one thing you could do this week to simplify your life? Will you do it?

I did not know this. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to think about how I can simplify my life. I am one of those "on the go-always something going on" people and I love it. But one thing that I am struggling with is staying focused and organized on the task at hand. I am the Queen of Lists. I think I will simplify my life by accomplishing at least 5 things every day on my to do list. My list is ever changing and with owning my own business there are always "Things To Do." So if I can knock at least 5 things off my on-going list every day, my life would be much simpler. And yes, if I think I can do it. If I tackle the toughest projects first, the rest will be a piece of cake.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being 100% and 1 being not at all) how tuned in are you to your country's national political scene?

I'm ashamed to say I'm a "middle of the fence" person, so about a 5. Do I care about what's going on? Yes. Can I change anything? No. My hubby stays on top of it all and keeps me posted. If I'm in the living room when the news is on, I might listen to it, but I am more than likely apt to go do something else.  Some people criticize me for my lack of interest in politics. But I have never been a big follower of the political scene.

7. What are your final parting words to the month of July?

Goodbye, Goodbye, my sweet July.

Can you please take this blistering heat with you with you go?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thought is "Why can't we all just get along." The world if full of enough grief and pain as it is, why inflict others with hurtful words, unkind thoughts or malicious gossip. If we would be kinder, gentler, more loving, more forgiving, we would all lead much happier lives and the world would be a better place.

It's the little things....

Today I'm riding the Tuesday Train . Every Tuesday, I like to feature 10 things that are on my mind at the time.

Ride the Tuesday Train

 We've all heard the expression, "it's the little things". Well today, my top 10 is about some of the little things in my life that have thrilled me this past week. Call me crazy, but I get so excited about those "little things." Here are my top 10 little things that I'm liking this week.

1. Walmart is now carrying the Lion Brand Yarn in the Vanna's Choice line of yarn. Since I love Vanna, (can I buy an E?) and I love yarn, it thrills me to be able to purchase affordable yarn that Vanna has teamed up with. She has been their spokesperson for 15 years. And my most favorite part is that Lion Brand Yarn and their Vanna's Choice line partner for a percentage of all Vanna yarns purchased to go to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. To date, they have raised over $700,000 for St. Jude's. That in itself is a wonderful reason for me to switch my yarn of choice to Vanna's Choice.

 2. I teamed up my new cranberry and gray yarn with some black I already had to get started on this adorable quilt pattern trinket box. I just completed the lid so far, but I just started it Friday night. I've never tried a patchwork pattern, but I loved doing in and I'm loving the way it is turning out. You can't really see it in the picture, but there is a lacy rose black button in the center to lift the lid on and off.

3.  Another reason I love Thirty-One Gifts products....they make excellent craft bags. My new trinket box project fits right in my bag that is monogrammed with Craft Tyme and the little mini pouch is monogrammed with Kit and contains my essential "tool kit" which has scissors, needles, seam ripper, needle threader, etc. This is one of my favorite 31 items. If Allen and I go anywhere I just grab my craft bag and I can work on it in the truck, at the hotel, etc. (I'm taking orders for these during August at 15% off making the total cost for the set $25.00 plus shipping and tax. If you want a set, email me @ mamawsplace@gmail.com and I'll send you the patterns available and the details) I have 3 different sets of these and I'm getting ready to order another set this month while they are on sale.

4.  I've shared before how I have to use reading class for up close work. Well, once I downloaded the Amazon Kindle app for my cell phone, I've started downloading some books onto my phone. Since I love to read in the car when Allen is driving, I needed a pair of glasses to keep in my purse. I had a pair that I keep at home, but I don't want to always have to remember to grab them. Found these yesterday at the Dollar Tree for (you guessed it) a dollar. The little dots are bling bling diamonds (fake of course for $1) . They are a little on the hideous side to some (like my daughter and hubby) but I love them. Need to find me a new glasses case for them.

5. I have several things that I'm always working on and needing to make notes, or print stuff, or keep copies, whatever. And they are normally scattered all over the house. So thanks to Staples and their $1.99 vinyl pocket folders and my $5.00 coupon and 25% off coupon, I now have five new folders for just about $2.50. Now when I think of a blog Idea, I drop a note in my blog folder. When I print patterns from Freepatterns.com for my craft projects or see pictures of crafts I want to make, I simply put the printed directions and pictures in my craft folder. When I have changes or updates for the church website, new music to learn for choir, or new children's church ideas, I have a church folder as well. I have a folder for personal stuff, like notes or pictures or sale flyers for my weekend shopping or my future wish list of things I want. I'm so organized now that it scares me!

6. Well, Pirate Shelby had a great 3 year birthday party Saturday night. She was so happy with her "treasure chest" on her cake because it had gold doubloon's. She is pirate crazy. Everything is Ahoy Maties. Thanks to Jake and the Neverland Pirates. We had pirate eye patches and compasses and pirate earrings and a great time.

7. One of her other obsessions is Lalaloopsies. They are dolls with wiggly arms and legs and big heads. She has only had the miniature so far but I wanted to get her one of the big dolls. We made a trip to Toys R Us and found a Lalaloopsie pirate. I was beyond thrilled. She named him Jake. Her mom got her a cute one that was a girl with pink curly ponytails and Shelby calls her Izzy (Jake's partner on the "Neverland Pirates"). The only problem is, we had never felt these outside the box. Oh my gosh, they are top heavy because of the big plastic head and the dangly body. I was hoping for soft and cuddly. But Shelby loves them and that is all that matters.

8. All parents have kids who go through the picky eaters stage. The first four of my grandchildren go through spurts where they eat better than they do at other times, but none of them are what you would call really good eaters. Until Colby. That baby just loves food. If you eat...he eats. And he doesn't care what it is. He is so adorable.

9. My neighbor lost his dog and his ducks grew up so he has no pets any more. He took down the big home he had built for the dog and all the fencing around it. He had a tree on the river bank that has lost limbs during each storm lately so he cut it down.  It has really opened up my view of the river downstream. I love it. It looks great.

10. I took this picture early yesterday morning. The sun was just coming up and reflecting on the water and the fog was still nestled among the trees on the other bank of the river. It was a gorgeous peaceful morning with the temperature not reaching smoldering yet.

That's my top 10 little things this morning. Hope you have a great Tuesday.

An apron string is tied with love....

When Mom would don her apron, we knew it wouldn't be long until Daddy was home. She'd head to the kitchen to start preparing the evening meal.....

When Grandma stood at the door to wave us good bye, she would have her apron on and we knew she would be heading back to the kitchen.....

When you see my apron coming off the shelf, you know that something good is getting ready to go in the oven....

I recently got on an apron kick. I saw some material at Hobby Lobby that I fell in love with. A quick call to my mom confirmed that she had an apron pattern and would welcome a craft project. So I picked out some of my favorite material and packed it up to go to West Virginina. Mom completed the aprons and recently came down for a visit and brought them to me. Here are the finished products. I love them all.

 (Of course, I had to have one for each of the granddaughters)

I bet you didn't know that August is National Mushroom and Onion month. I thought it would be great to start the month office with a recipe giveaway. This is going to be so easy. The first 5 people that leave me a comment on my apron post will receive one copy of a Season's Best recipe book from Pampered Chef. Can't wait to see which 5 will be the winners.

All because two people fell in love....

It started out in a little town nestled in the valley between the hills of West Virginia. They didn't have much money, but they had a love that withstood the test of time. They were happy in good times and in bad. They survived strikes and lay offs. Winter snows and summer storms. They had a good life and loved deeply.

Within a couple of years of getting married, that love grew to include their two little daughters....born just 13 months apart. They were so precious and so full of abundant energy. Both had a head full of natural curls, just like their mommy. The Big Sister had green eyes like the Mommy's and the baby girl had big blue eyes like her Daddy's.

Over the years, the love grew and the boys came. The girls were 2 and 3 years old when Brother #1 arrived and were 10 and 11 when Brother #2 came along. They all knew love and laughter in that old home place up a country road. Daddy worked real hard to support his family while Mommy stayed home to cook, clean and care for the precious children God had entrusted to her care. There were many summer days spent playing in that old yard and many winter nights snuggled in the living room with the stove giving off it's warm glow.

By 1981, the three oldest were married and living their own life in their own little houses tucked into that little village town. Baby brother still lived at home, but before long, he would soon spread his wings and fly. But holidays and Sundays almost always found them back in that old house up the holler.

Through lots of laughter, lots of love, many grandchildren and many, many memories, those "ole days" up the country road are still alive in our memories.

In 1999, we lost our beloved father, Luke Garretson, to congestive heart failure at the age of 75. Daddy would be 88 years old today. There is not a day goes by that I don't think of him and miss him. He was my idol, my hero. I was a Daddy's girl and knew without a shadow of doubt how much he loved us. Mom moved out of the holler and my brother has remodeled the old home place. We'll never go back to those days of yesteryear. Daddy will never see his great grandchildren or feel their love. But I know he is up there watching over us. I still feel his presence walking the streets of my home town when I go back to visit. So many wonderful memories of a very wonderful man.

I love you, Daddy. Happy birthday.