Sunday songs

Top 10 for Thursday

Here are my 10 favorite things I found on Pinterest that I am liking this week. If I get my bedroom switched to primitive before Halloween, I love some of these ideas.

Does anyone know where you can by these small craft ladders? I just love this.

What a cute idea for a shadow box for a sewing room. However, I would just find vintage thread that is old looking to put in there, not a regular spool with ribbon on it.

Another cute idea for a ladder if I can just find a ladder somewhere.

I love what they call subway art. This one is perfect.

I am always looking for things to make with fabric. This is too cute and you could use any quilt pattern design.

Oh my goodness I love this. I am a fan of red and aqua together. This is adorable. Of course the fact that it has Pyrex bowls makes it even better. 

What a cute idea for a pin cushion. A vintage jello mold. I really like this.

While the focus of this picture may be aprons, I am posting it because I love the ironing board cover. I need to Google and see if you can buy plaid ones. Somebody probably made this.

And last is something I shared last years and never got around to doing it. I really need to find where to get craft ladders. 

When God uses an umbrella....

Sometimes God produces miracles that are so mind blowing that we can't see how people can not believe in Him. And sometimes, He moves in the simplest ways that we fail to see it was Him.

I want to share an experience I had the other day. I hope you take the time to read it through. Our God is an amazing God. When we took Mom shopping, she wanted to run into Dollar Tree. While she was in the checkout line, I noticed there were small umbrellas on the counter. It's an impulse buy ploy. So I acted on impulse and thought "I'll get a black one for work. You never know when you will need an extra umbrella." I paid for it and stuck it in the trunk of the car and thought no more about it. It was just an umbrella and it was just $1.00. No big deal.

BUT GOD (don't you just love those words) had another plan in mind. Fast forward to Monday when we were traveling home. We stopped in Corbin, KY to have lunch at the original KFC and to view the museum in the restaurant. On the curb in the parking lot sat an elderly man. He was very thin and gaunt. He had on a long sleeve shirt over a t-shirt, jeans and a Veteran ball cap. I didn't think much of it because he didn't appear to be panhandling or holding any signs. He just sat there looking down at the ground hunched over.

Once we got inside and were eating, I saw someone stop outside and speak to him. He came in shuffling behind them, still looking forlorn. They told him to order whatever he wanted and then they added some more to his order. They went their way to a table with family and he sat across from us and ate like he hadn't had a meal in a week. He kept his eyes downcast and ate every bite. When he was done, he cleaned up his mess. He even took a napkin and wiped off his table and got up and left, not speaking to a soul.

When we left, he had returned to his seat on the curb and was just sitting with head bowed again. It had started to sprinkle and by the time we got in the car (which was near the old man), it was a pretty steady mist and my shirt was getting soaked. Immediately, my mind came to the new umbrella I had in the trunk. I heard a voice in my head point out the old man was getting soaked. I popped the trunk and got out the umbrella and stepped up to the curb. He didn't even look up. I squatted down to his level and said "Excuse me sir, but it appears you are a little down on your luck right now." He said, yes ma'am. Just busy trying to survive." I said, "Well, I'm just passing through and can't do much for you, but I'd like you to have this umbrella." He finally looked up and smiled with a twinkle in his eye and said "Thank you, ma'am. That means a lot. God bless you."

As I got in the car, I was reminded of all the stories and bible lessons over the years that tell of how many times Jesus will visit us in various forms or situations and we ignore Him because we don't even realize it is something God is doing for us to help us grow. 

I will never see that old man again. I will never know what brought him to that place in his life. But I DO believe with all my heart that God led me to purchase an umbrella on Sunday in Barboursville, WV that I didn't even need because He knew there was a man in Corbin, KY who was going to be sitting in the rain on Monday with no umbrella and no place to go. You may think it is just a coincidence. But I know it wasn't. God knows our needs before we do and He will put His plan in action to make sure we are taken care of. 

Have you missed me?

I've not posted the last couple of days because I got to go to West Virginia to see Mommy. And I got to take my three youngest grandchildren with me. They were up and ready by 5:00 a.m. to hit the road on Sunday morning.

They loaded in the car, all smiles. I figured they would start dozing in about an hour. Nope. Shelby dozed about 5 minutes when we got close to Charleston, WV and Colby slept about 15 minutes right before we arrived.

They were so excited about the sunrise. It just fascinated them. Alexis was designated photo opp gal so she snagged some good shots that morning.

It was so good to see Mom. She has settled in well to the health care facility she moved to and is really looking much healthier than when I saw her in May.

We took her out to lunch at Wendy's. She wanted one of their baked potatoes. Yes, that is a fireplace in a Wendy's. 

The kids were having a blast with their Mamaw Helen.

Then she wanted to go to AC Moore. She had so much fun. Especially with her three little helpers showing her all kinds of things they thought she would like. 

Even though my sister and I live 5 hours from each other, our minds have always been in sync. She is 61 and I'm 60 so we have been really close all our lives. I always laugh and tell people that we think exactly alike. Imagine my surprise when I showed up to Mom's and Sis had on yellow just like I did for the day....especially considering in years past, yellow has just not been one of our major colors. Now the summer I go yellow, so does she. We were cracking up.

When we got back from taking Mom out, we sat out in her courtyard. Check out this cute little planter someone made.

The kids loved exploring around the gardens.

We are blessed that the staff wanted to get Mom in a room with her bed by the window. They had a room come open a few weeks ago right by the courtyard that she loves to go sit in. So they asked if she would like it and she does. So my sister went and bought Mom some outside hooks, bird feeders, etc. Now Mom has her own personal garden view. Complete with a little hummingbird that is a bully. He is sitting on one of the hooks. Every time another hummingbird approaches, he dive bombs them and runs them off. It is quite a site to see him battling against other birds. He isn't intimidated by the big birds either. Nobody stays for long when the bully is on duty.

On the way home Monday, we stopped in Corbin, KY and had lunch at the very first Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was originally Sanders Cafe.

The old part of the building is set up as a museum. We got to see Colonel Sanders office. I've got more to share about that on another day.

And of course, I had to stop at my favorite antique store in Milton, WV before we left that day. I have been wanting a red vintage sewing box so bad and can't find one anywhere. I finally found one for $12 (new ones are $29 and up). And I love the plaid.

It is definitely vintage because they don't even make them with metal hooks for spool holder any more to my knowledge. I've never seen one. 

It has the manufacturers tag in it and it says Dritz Sewing Basket. So I Googled it and found this exact basket. If the info on the internet is correct, this has been narrowed down to possible late 30's to early 40's. Most source I found reflect more of the 1940 era. Dritz made sewing items from 1920 - 1969 when they sold the company. The new company changed the name and sells some items under the new name and some still under the Dritz name. But bottom line is this thing is old. And I am excited.

I also found the Indian Glass Thumbprint pattern compote dish in the teal blue. I have been looking for one of these in either the green/blue carnival glass color or in a blue. I finally found it in Milton for $5.00. I wasn't going to pass it up. I still want the one in the green blue and one day I will find it somewhere where it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. But I am excited to finally find the teal blue. 

One the way home we ran into the worst monsoon of rain I have ever had to drive in. You could barely see the white lines and the traffic on I40 in Knoxville was going about 30 mph because nobody could see. Even the big semi trucks had slowed to a crawl and were being cautious not to splatter huge waves of rain when they passed you. Alexis took this picture when it first started, but it got a lot worse.

By the time we hit our exit, the skies had cleared and it was blue sky and sunshine.

It was a wonderful trip and I told the kids I would love to take another trip someday with the three of them. They were so good, but then again they always are.

Saturdays' Stuff

I am not happy with one of the bags I earned at my last Thirty-One party so when I ordered my granddaughter a new thermal the other day, I ordered me one as well. 

I wonder if Joann's or Hobby Lobby is the best place to buy this kind of fabric and does anybody know what it is called. It's got a weave similar to burlap but it is a much tighter weave. Is it simply another form of burlap or does it have it's own name? I want to make some of these for fall. 

I used to make little pom poms a lot when I was younger. But I've never tried this. It's been so many years I better Google a You Tube video as a refresher.

Oh yes, this is me. It's not too much longer until my beach trip so I'm definitely starting to feel this way.

And a little something to make you smile today.

Friday's Finds

I went to an antique store yesterday that a friend put on Facebook. It is call Stella & Ruby's Vintage & Variety and is on Hwy 321 outside Gatlinburg. 

I believe it is only one owner. Unlike the multi-shop antique stores where each booth has their own stuff, this has everything organized with like items.

And you have to look everywhere because there is even stuff up high and hanging from the ceiling. You never now what you will find.

For those of you vintage lovers who collect the old red utensils, you will be in 7th heaven. This is just one of about 4 or 5 displays of the old utensils.

They even have some of the old pots with red handles.

Percolators of all kinds.

And I love how they have it in the old style kitchen.

I was fascinated by the jars of smaller collectibles. My grandson got three different types of dice for his big brother who collects dice.

I was so thrilled to finally find glass door knobs at good prices. I wanted one for a Pinterest project and couldn't find it. I haven't bought one yet, because I need to go find the project again because I forgot what I was going to make.

Lots of vintage Tupperware and plastic items, all in excellent condition.

And for you photo buffs who love vintage cameras, you should really go check these out.

 I was so thrilled with the Pyrex collection and the prices are so reasonable. There was a lot in my Town & Country pattern and a lot of the acorn pattern that I fell in love with.

Lot of cute little metal items. Especially the little measuring cups. Again, pricing is fabulous on everything. I didn't really see anything that was extremely too pricey. 

They have an awesome collection of phones. I'm planning on a trip back to purchase one soon.

I only had a short time to browse as I had to pick up my granddaughter at cheer practice. But I did manage to find the Pyrex Verde 402 mixing bowl I have been looking for. It was only $8.00. I saw it at two other shops recently and one wanted $22 and one wanted $25. See what I mean, excellent pricing.

I have been looking for some vintage round clothes pins for some projects. They had these for just $3.00. I know I could buy new ones for less, but I want vintage for a reason. So I am very happy with these. 

After I left there, I decided to stop at the little mini flea market that sets up in the parking lot behind Dunn's Market. One lady had some vintage items and if she saw me pick something up and look at it, she would change the price. This was $3.00 and when I picked it up she said you can have that for $1.00. For a vintage ice bucket with the original tongs. Heck yes I bought it. 

And this lamps was marked $5.00. I pick it up and she said it worked and I could have it for $1.00. It does work I checked when I got home. She said it is vintage and the cord is one that is like the cords from older years. If I had to guess, I would say about the 60's or 70's. The cord is very faded and old and has the prongs that are the skinny size of days gone by. I was looking for a lamp with height to fill a corner, not necessarily for the light itself. I'm going to get me a shade for it at Walmart. They have the perfect one to go with it.

And my last find of the day was at the table beside hers. The lady was packing up to leave and I spotted this vintage pitcher. I researched it. It turns out these striped pitchers I keep finding were made in the 1950's by Anchor Hocking in colors to match Fiestaware. The line was called Fiesta Stripes and came in many assorted stripe colors and patterns from sets of small stripes to the big wide bands. I have found them for as low as $14.99 plus $9.99 shipping and as high as $45.99 + shipping. I got mine for $2.00. I think it would be beautiful filled with mums and on a table for fall. I think my daughter wants this one.

As you can see, I had some great finds. Be sure and visit Ms. Debbie's Friday Foto Friends to check out what everybody else has been up to this week.