Birthday Quilt from Betty Gram

I am so pleased with a beautiful quilt picked from Brylan Home...though it is a China made quilt. At this time I don't have time or space to finish a large queen size quilt for my bed. This one will be just dandy and it was on-sale significantly!

Vintage Apron Giveaway

"Home Sweet Home" Vintage Apron

Serve your guests while wearing this genuine vintage apron. An etsy shop coming soon...stay tuned and leave a comment in order to be placed in the drawing to win the apron. The winner will be drawn randomly and will be published under the comments on August 10, 2009. My 25 Birthday!!!

Good luck!

Camera Shy

My trusty little digital camera has taken a turn for the worse, meaning that it will come on but it won't register to snap a photograph. I am heart sick over this fact and am trying to rectify the situation as soon as I can. Does anyone know how it could possibly be repaired?

Bi-plane Flyin

June 5th and 6th were the last days that the small local airport hosted the annual bi-plane expo. Mum and I couldn't resist going any longer. So we ventured out to the airport and we thought we would park and watch the small planes take off. However, we became entranced in the event...which was bigger and better than any exhibition in past years (various people informed us), that we eventually walked across the air field to buy our tickets and to view the 450+ planes on display.

Some weren't bi-planes, but they sure were cute.


Rows and rows of the cutest planes from all over America, which were flown by kind older men with a passion for bi-plane aviation.

Me, giddy with delight at the beautiful aircraft and the Big Band music airing on the field.

We happened upon Glory and her sweet family who were enjoying the festivities of the day.

David enjoys a ride

Joshua and David Time

Little acquaintances of mine along with their mother, bestowed upon me this lovely bouquet. It was such a surprise and joy to receive. Yesterday Joshua and David (who also likes to be called "Daddy"), their mother Glory and baby Shannon and I gardened in their backyard. Little Shannon felt exhausted and soon fell asleep in her walker on the patio. The boys worked diligently with shovels. After several hours we cleared a 3' x 12' approximate area of Bermuda grass, dug five holes and now happy pepper and tomato plants reside in the backyard at Joshua and David Daddy's home.

Springs to Life

After the ice/snow and very cold winter that we incurred, Betty Gram and I are pleased to see these blooming in profusion. Sweet little carnations planted in a pot set a top her tricycle stand in the front flower bed is a quaint greeting to guests. Cheerful coral azaleas bloom in profusion. Lovely spring!

Gardening at Betty Gram and Fredpa's

After a record breaking amount of successive days of rain...we have sunshine again today and Betty Gram and I have squeezed every possible hour into her garden. Things are really shaping up and as soon as I can I will share photos of the latest plantings.

Sunshine at Last

I've lost count how many days of rain we have had lately...I do enjoy the rain and how it makes the grass and trees green! It's especially nice to live where Northeastern Oklahoma is actually called "Green Country". Today the sun is shining great beams from white puffy clouds and an azure sky. A few neighbors are out in their yards. And how I yearn to be outside planting a passel of veggies and herbs. The old saying still applies..."Make hay while the sun shines."

Art.com:

Home Garden, Adare, Ireland
Photographic Print by Kristi Bressert

Stylish Dumpster Diving

Visiting Glory in her neighborhood a couple of days ago, I drove past a heap of dishevelled trash out at the corner of some one's yard...and this fine basket was amongst the debris. I didn't have time to stop and investigate, but I happened by yesterday and saw that it was still sitting out in the rain. The basket had all manner of artificial greenery stuck in the sides and it looked grotesque, but after some sprucing up, it's lovely as a catchall for magazines in our living room. It's surprising what can be found amongst trash heaps. Just think some person somewhere spent hours making this basket!

Peak into the Garden

April showers have brought May flowers. Come down the pathway and you can see what is blooming in Betty Gram's garden...and since I've given her much help, she says it's mine too...sadly it's on the other side of town.

Little Herbs Sprout

Little herbs are popping up quite well in their little peat pots. Soon I'll have a crop of nice fresh herbs awaiting great dishes this summer. Rebecca you most likely will get free reign of them while you are home this summer. I'm looking forward to seeing what scrumptious creations you choose to make.

Miss Citronella

Citronella

A visit to one of our local garden nurseries, Green Thumb, I discovered this lovely little plant and had to try it out. Miss Citronella found her way into a quite large planter and sits just outside our back door and under the light...I hope she works her magic and scares off any naughty little summertime insects. Fingers crossed.

Abloom in the Garden

Just outside Mum's Window

Clematis

Irises

Coral Azaleas

Tiny Herb Starts Coming Soon

I garden for my friends, and for the community. But in the last few years I have done very little for our own back yard. However, this week-end Mum and I decided to spend the whole day as a focus on yard projects.

We made numerous trips to various garden centers, bought many plants and 18 bags of cypress mulch! Mum mowed and I weeded, mulched, split some hostas and re-planted them, watered, hoed...etc.

But most of all I am extremely excited about a future herb bed. I found these little pop-up peat planter cups that swell when soaked in water. I anticipate a great little crop of herbs. Mmm...lovely spring and summer coming! Fresh mint tea coming up.

Happy Anniversary!

To: Two Dear Friends far away, who know who they are:)

Fineart from art.com

How Clean is Your Closet?

How Clean Is Your House?, hails from Great Britian and the episodes can be watched on youtube. The shows are a good source of encouragement, especially when I am tired of waging war on the dust bunnies in our house. I led an all out asault upon my closet this week-end. I was surprised to see all the dust which had collected at the back.

Let me encourage you to get after your own home's dust bunnies...they may be lurking in the strangest of places!

A Miniature Buffet

A little area of Betty Gram's dining room was needing a little show case of some sort. So, Betty Gram and I found a little table and set it together with a country looking shelf. Betty Gram's husband, Fred gave her the shelf filled with many varieties of tea one year at Christmas. The shelf/table duo looks like they are meant for one another.

This is What I Wear: Blue College Ensemble

A great day at college! I enjoyed wearing a new outfit (not new, just new to being styled together). The outfit is inspired by robin's egg blue and seersucker sports clothing from the 1920-'30, when people really cared about what they wore, even to casual events. When I have five classes in one day, the day seems to last forever! However when I'm dressed in a smashing ensemble, I seem to be less cynical, more positive and really think about what I do and say...even how I sit. So Happy Spring and be inspired by the beautiful things our Lord has made!

Craft Evening with Friends

Mum serving up iced tea to our guests.

Kayla hard at work on her embroidery project...well done, my dear!

Kaleb diligently works away on his "horse behind a white picket fence" latch hook rug. He looks pleasantly pleased with himself.

Semi-Makeover: The Living Room

I've got just the thing to lift your spirits and brighten any day! Play some lovely music on your CD or record player, set your kitchen timer (to keep you motivated), light a candle and clean house! Re-arranging your living room furniture will do wonders, also to lift your Monday Morning's blues.

A Day with Betty Gram

Across town, I dash in my silver station wagon to help Betty Gram with some much needed grocery shopping. Let's run away she proclaims, let's go shopping in Collinsville. But, no perhaps we shouldn't. What about taking a spontaneous trip to the very near town with an antique shop hub on main street? Yes, lets.

We spend four hours perusing three antique shops, and having lunch in the car. At our favorite shop, which is like stepping back in time, we spend well over an hour. Betty Gram had a small estate sale some months back. She should not be buying anything! I know you are going to squeal Amy, when you see what I am going to ask you to move up to the front counter, and yes, I am going to buy that folk horse on rockers. Betty Gram! Despite it's broken wheel, she buys it, among other things.

I am lingering at a booth display with many green glassware items and kitchen items. A green lettered breadbox captures my attention. I don't think I have seen one quite that old. Then I remember...you must save...and so...

This favorite shop of ours boasts an old fashioned soda fountain, and Betty Gram and I, each enjoy rich chocolate sodas. First one ever and it's yummy! As we drift out the doorway, I holding Betty Gram's shopping bags, I turn to behold my violin teacher of some years ago, standing just inside the doorway. Mrs. Wallace! Quick, I think....who is older...Mrs. Wallace....Betty Gram...Mrs. Wallace...oh yes, then I introduce, Mrs. W. to Betty Gram. As we are driving away, I am nearly rolling with laughter, when I tell her of my sudden predicament inside, as to the oldest, she laughs heartily, Amy, I am always the oldest in every situation!

P.S. If you have the money, you may buy a bread box like this one from E-bay...and someday it will be an antique...for the penny pincher's of the world, we must maintain the hope of finding one at the GW Boutique (for those unacquainted with GW, that's the illustrious, Goodwill).

First Braided Rug

I don't think I ever shared a finished picture of the first rug. I think of it as a "flying carpet" or "Aladdin", but I'd rather name it something biblical. Perhaps "Joseph's Coat"...I like that.

Behold! The Rug Has Taken Shape

If you know me very well at all, you know that I love color and fabric and I have a great passion when both are combined. After collecting a good deal of woolen garments from various sources and making them into three inch strips, I at last set about to work on my second braided rug! Yipee, I thought. But as I progressed from the middle section to the second outer section, which involves lovely greens, I thought this is going to be some wacky rug...but with the four and fifth color scheme going on, I am truly excited. I think this one shall be called, "Joseph's Coat", because I have many more colors to add. I will keep adding pics until it is completed. Lillibeth, have you tried your hand at rug making? I can't wait to get this one completed and then I'm onto needlepoint and from there, to hooked rugs!

Leather Bound Beauties

A librarian friend who works at a local university has kept her eye on these richly leatherbound editions by Alfred Lord Tennyson. If they were ever selected to be gotten rid of, they were headed to me, because she knows I love old books. These are especially nice and in great condition overall, despite being published in 1888 and having been in a college library.

I would like to read these, but I am concerned that something should be done to preserve the leather, so it will not start to crack. Dear friends, any ideas?

Hart Children

These little ones know how to sell chocolate! They are selling chocolate bars at my church to raise money for their private christian school. Who can resist their charm?

Betty Gram's Abode

My Dear Betty Gram

Stepping in you'll see...

delightful 'Old World Charm'

and tea tins stashed here and there...

and everywhere!

How about a nice little brunch in the breakfast nook?

Getting sleepy from all the cares of life? Just pull up the soft coverlet on Betty Gram's bed and take a cat nap.