Homemade facial and other beauty treatments for pennies............

I was reading a blog recently where the lady contemplated making an appointment to have a facial. She said her husband didn't mind as long as it didn't cost any money.

Several years ago I read about using ingredients found in the kitchen to do facials, and other beauty treatments.

First, to make an exfoliant scrub: Mix sugar and enough olive oil to make a paste consistency. Gently rub over face for a few minutes. Rinse with warm water.

To make a toner: Mix powdered milk with just enough water to make a thick liquid. Pat over face and leave for five minutes or so. Your face will tighten. Rinse with warm water.

Then apply a moisturizer. You will feel as though you've been to a salon and it only cost pennies.......

Houses for our feathered friends.........

This ancient birdhouse is falling apart..........The dovecote in the back yard...

This one I bought on a trip to Savannah.......... Uncle Sam's birdhouse........




The church birdhouse a sweet friend gave to me several years ago........

This is just a metal one but I like it. The weather

doesn't harm it......

This one very special to me. My husband made it out out of an old porch porch. I added the filigree perches (they are actually curtain rod holders), the bottom wooden things are also curtain pole holders turned outside down. Rusty brown

metal birds live on it.

I apologize that the titles aren't always under the correct house. In the draft they were. I have so much to learn.........
This pictures were made in the winter.

There are other birdhouses, but this is enough for now......

My Friend Roselyn (Rosie)

Everyone should be so blessed to have someone in their life like I have…..Roselyn or Rosie as she is known to her grandchildren and family. I fondly tell her she is my oasis in the desert of life.

Roselyn is above 80 age wise. By her demeanor, appearance and spirit you would never know it. She is very chic, always has just that something extra….a jauntily tied scarf, a pretty belt, just something extra. Her purse always compliments her outfit. She has beautiful white hair and brown eyes.

She is no stranger to adversity. Many years ago she had breast cancer. She is a widow, having lost her husband some years ago. They were an ideal couple….just so loving and giving of themselves. When you visited in their home, you had to have something to eat and drink. Always made you feel so welcome. Couldn’t wait to come again. She continues to have health problems and is in doctor’s offices on a regular basis. Her daughter sees that she’s at all her appointments. She has Macular Degeneration that hampers her reading, writing, et. She does not complain and most times doesn’t mention her health unless someone else brings it up.
She is a dedicated Child of the King. She loves the Lord and He loves her. She is very active in her church and her activities. She entertains the visiting ministers and their families and is a wonderful cook. When you sit at her table, you are treated royally. Speaking of which, we are to be her guest tonight for the evening meal. My husband, is preaching tonight at the church she attends. I can hardly wait until time to go!

Her home is like walking into a Southern Living advertisement. Each piece of furniture is placed to the best advantage. Each accessory compliments the décor. Original paintings by her son grace the walls. We usually sit in front of the living room fireplace in wing back chairs to have our visit. Oh, and her miniature walled garden complete with fountain, statuaries, carefully selected plants, manicured just so, is beautiful. Her multi-talented son has his touch inside and outside.

Her immediate family composed of a son, daughter and husband, two granddaughters and sons-in-law, a grandson, four great-grandchildren and two sisters who love this woman! But then, so do I. She is my friend, mentor, confidante and she reminds me so much of my Mama. The picture above was on the kitchen cabinet when Mindy (my daughter) came for a visit Sunday. Glancing at it she thought it was a picture of Mama. She is a wonderful example to both young and old of what a Christian lady should be. When I grow up, I want to be just like her!

If you have someone in your life like my friend Roselyn ,then you are blessed also.

Childhood Memories.....

My parents were older than most of my friend's parents. My mother was 43 and my father was 47 when I was born. I had five older siblings, the youngest was 14 when I came along. I grew up with the grandchildren. I had a nephew and a niece older than me.

During the summer months , most of the time, it was just Mama and me at home unless she was keeping some of the grandchildren. Seems like she spent alot of time in the kitchen. Every every morning the radio was turned on and we listened to DON MCNEIL'S BREAKFAST CLUB. The music was always upbeat with lots of applause and lots of talking and laughing.

Just before lunch, as I remember, SECOND SPRING came on. That time period's soap opera. I can still hear," Can a woman who's once loved completely ever find true love again, can she ever find a SECOND SPRING?" On Sunday nights we listened to "Beulah", "Our Miss Brooks", "The Shadow","Amos and Andy" and many more that have slipped my mind.

My Daddy always came home for lunch at 11:00 am on the dot. Since he owned his own business I suppose he had his choice of lunch times. Two things that would always be on the table at lunch and supper were ice tea (He did not drink water...so you can live without it) and lacy cornbread.

After lunch, three seasons of the year, we all went out on the front porch and sat in the porch rockers. Daddy listened to the news on a portable radio. Friends were walking up and down the street .... home for lunch or going back to work. Many stopped for a chat....about the weather, how much it rained the night before, who was sick, how the election would turn out.....whatever was happening town.

Daddy would go back to work, Mama would read the paper and I'd go to the kitchen.....to wash the dishes.

Do you have a special memory from when you were growing up?

My Special Pink Stuffed Heart............

Today I was given the prettiest pink heart...........My six year old granddaughter, Ellie, and my ten year old grandson, Wesley made me a beautiful pink stuffed heart. They designed it, cut it out, and with a little assistance at the sewing machine, stitched it together.

I know it is stuffed full of love because they are loving children. The thought that they wanted to make and give me something just thrills me to no end.

It will always be a priceless reminder of a special Valentine's Day in years to come.

My Mother's Dishes

My Mother’s Dishes

When I was very young, my father gave my mother a beautiful twelve place setting of dishes. I was never absolutely sure what the pattern name was. All I knew was they were pretty to me.

When the preacher came to eat with us, on Christmas and other holidays we always used them.

They were unique in that there were three graduated size platters, two covered casseroles, dinner plates, salad plates, bread and butter plates, soup bowls, berry bowls, cups and saucers, gravy boat with under plate, vegetable bowl, sugar bowl and cream pitcher.

Through the years, a couple of plates, two or three cups were broken. When my mother died the dishes were left to my oldest daughter Melinda. I quickly asked if I could keep them as long as I have a home. She graciously said yes.

Not long ago, while in an antique shop, I saw several pieces just like them. I thought they were overly priced so I passed them by. Big mistake. Later the store was going out of business and everything was 50 percent off. I checked back , but of course they were gone. I researched the internet and found them. The pattern is Silver Gardenia. The full price at the antique store was a great buy.

When we are all together, I use the dishes. Kinda seems like old times.

Wisdom from the mouths of children............

This is an email that I received this morning from a niece and I think it is appropriate on Valentine's Day............................

When your heart speaks, take good notes What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN?!?

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. They're touching words from the mouth of babes . . . A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca- age 8 "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." "Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6 "Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4 "Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7 "Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" Emily - age 8 "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!) "If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7 "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6 "During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8 "My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6 "Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 5 "Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7 "Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4 "I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4 "When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an image) Karen - age 7 "Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8 And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry." When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

HAPPY VALENTINES' DAY..........

Never have I had the opportunity to say "Happy Valentine's Day" to such a vast number of people!

This is the day when love is in the air.....everyone, for the most part, is in a happy mood, either giving Valentines or receiving them. Tons of candy, hundreds of dozens of flowers, engagement rings, all sorts of gifts, limited only by the imagination, will be given to "that special someone."

The most wonderful gift of love was given to God's children many, many years ago in His Son, Jesus.

Some of those that I wish a "Happy Valentine's Day" to are my husband, Edward, my children, my grandchildren, friends that I've had for years and especially my new blogging friends...........................

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO EVERYONE...................

I couldn't believe my eyes.......

As I was going through our little village early one morning this week, there standing by the highway, as big as you please, stood the biggest Tom Turkey with his tail feathers spread out that I have ever seen! Never have I seen one like that in our part of the world. When we lived about 150 miles from here to the north, we had a flock of wild turkeys that would come out of the woods frequently, but they were small in size.

Looking in the rear view mirror, I saw him sauntering across the road without a care in the world. I guess Tom knew it was nowhere near Thansgiving, so it was safe to be out and about..............

My Friend Jackie.............

This picture was made at "A Time Remembered Tea Room"

Jackie and Betty


I once read if you have friends you are rich beyond words. I am rich beyond words because I am blessed with innumerable friends and many acquaintances.

I have one friend that has been a friend since first grade. Now, as I am 65 years old, she has been a friend for a long time. Her name is Jackie. Well, actually, that’s not her legal name. That’s a nickname given to her as a young child by her uncle. Probably not more that a handful of people know her name is Mary Leah.

I came across a newspaper clipping a few years ago in some of my mother’s stuff of children’s pictures made when I must have been about 4 or 5 years old. There right below my picture, was a picture, you guessed it of Jackie and her younger sister, Patsy. We were close even before we knew each other.

Growing up we sometimes were in the same classroom and some years we weren’t, but we still remained close friends. On one occasion we did have the same home room teacher. On a day when I was suppose to take a turn sweeping the classroom the teacher kept Jackie in to sweep. I guess I took her place when it was her time to sweep…..I don’t remember. I hope she reminded me. We entered into high school and began dating…many times we double-dated. We both dated boys from the same small community a few miles away. Both our boyfriends went to the same university.

Eventually we both received engagement rings. Edward and I married in June. She was my maid of honor. She and John married in November and I was her matron of honor. She wore my wedding dress.

We have had so many similarities in our lives. We each have 2 children..I have two daughters, she has two sons, our mothers-in-law each were blind in one eye, we both worked at pre-school, our fathers-in-law died within a few months of each other, we both have had breast biopsies, our mothers died of cancer, our fathers died of heart attacks, our oldest children married the same weekend (not to each other), we both worked at the same bank, our husbands were bankers, later both became ministers, we both play the piano, love flowers and fixing up our homes…….these are just to name a few.

Jackie’s husband died December 15th, 2000, the date of my oldest daughter’s wedding and he was buried on December 18th, my father’s birthday.

A year ago she married Jerry. The sweetest thing was seeing her three grandchildren walking her up the aisle. The oldest grandchild, a grandson gave her away. When the minister asked, “who giveth this woman in marriage,” Zachary replied, “on behalf of……………,and he named all the immediate family. They are extremely happy….traveling and enjoying the good life.

One difference……I have twin granddaughters and she doesn’t. It isn’t over yet…
I hope you have good friends, also. To have a friend, one must show himself (or herself) friendly.
Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.


Do you have a friend from childhood?

Aunt Betty's tea set.............

I was named Betty after a great-aunt. My grandmother's sister, Betty, was a sweet lady, although to be honest, I was just a little afraid of her. She had presence, if you know what I mean. I loved to go to her house. To a little girl, it looked humongus (you know very large).

She had lots and lots of handpainted china, all shapes and sizes.

The house had a large porch that the ladies sat on to have their chats and do their visiting. There was a fish pool out front with lots of big goldfish. That really impressed me, to the point that I always wanted one. Several years ago, my husband hand dug one in our back yard. We enjoy our fish, but that's another posting for another day.

After Aunt Betty died, I was told that she had bequeathed me a tea set for being her name sake.
Mama and I went down when her house was being emptied. I was given the tea set shown in the picture.

Through the years I entertained my nieces with lots of tea parties.

In later years, one of my aunts told me that I didn't get the tea set that Aunt Betty designated for me. The day of the dispensing, an older lady was there and she got my tea set, a much larger one, and stated that I wouldn't know the difference.

I wonder if Aunt Betty knows the difference........................................................

Gleanings I found in charity shops.........

I am a thrift store junkie.......There I've admitted it. My family, especially my husband,has known this for a long time. My heart quickens when I see a thrift store, charity shop, yard sale, interesting garbage pile. So many treasures are cast aside that others would dearly love to have.

I was given a "You Are Special Today" red plate, made by The Red Plate Company in Germany, as a gift. Most months we have two birthdays so I needed another red plate. They sell for about $44.00. Recently, as I was browsing through one of my favorite charity shops I spied something red. I hurried over as quickly as I could without running over anyone. There was my red plate! I grabbed it immediately, if not before. The price was $2.00.

Another day I found a picture with flowers and a bird. Those are two of my favorite things, well other than pictures of my grandchildren. It was just a couple of dollars.

I like blue and white porcelain, dishes that have flowers on them, especially roses, blue willow and red willow dishes, or just red and white dishes period. I found a small red and white pitcher for a $1.00 that I use in a grouping on the television cabinet.

On another shopping trip, I found this big white fruit topiary in an urn for $1.00. It looks great in any room. Also, I found these two cast iron urns for a couple of dollars each that I use on each end of the mantel.

I have lots of other "finds" that I'll show in later postings. All kinds of treasures are out there just waiting to be found. It's my lot in life to rescue as many of them as possible..........

I'll Have Decaf Water................

I try to eat healthy, at least most of the time......while eating out one night, the waitress asked for our drink orders........I replied, "decaf water, please." Needless to say, my husband doesn't let me forget it.

My Friend Marion.........

When I began reading blogs several weeks ago, I saw Marion's Welsh Garden link on another blog. I immediately went to the blog. I was entranced by the words I read and the pictures I saw. Wales is a beautiful country, so full of interesting sights and places.

Marion has a marvelous command of the English language. Her description of trips, walks, flowers, and native attractions is so complete that you will think you are right there with her and her husband John.

Marion's gardens are beautiful. She has such a variety of plants, trees, roses, interesting garden accessories, and her summer house is adorable.

She does all kinds of crafts and is an avid reader. She and John are well traveled. She worked in the travel business before retiring. She could easily begin another career as a novelist. Marion is so caring and encourages you by her positive outlook on life.

Marion and John purchased and remodeled a police station for their home twelve years ago.
They have so many beautiful antiques and gorgeous things handed down from family. George is the family cat, the only pet, and he intends to remain so.

I promise that you will not be disappointed if you visit Marion's blog, REFLECTION OF THE SEASONS.

Happy Anniversary to Amy and Chad

Happy 18th anniversary to Amy (our daughter, Picketfence Mom) and Chad....
We love you and wish you many more.
Mama and Daddy

Drew comes home....

Praise be to our Wonderful Heavenly Father, our grandson came home from the hospital Saturday afternoon. No decision yet as to the cause of the seizures. I'll write more on this later.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. You will never know how much we appreciate all your thoughts and concern.

False alarm........Drew isn't coming home today

Drew isn't coming home today.....his team of doctors decided that he needs to fast from 8:00 tonight until in the morning to check for hypoglycemia and diabetes and to check other levels.
They haven't come to a decision as to the reason f0r the seizures. Hopefully he will come home tomorrow after lunch.

Drew is co-operating but is so ready to come home. He doesn't remember anything from the time he blacked out in math class until the next day when he was already at Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta. He has no memory of his helicopter ride.

Please continue to remember Drew when you talk to our Heavenly Father. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Another Wonderful Update!

Hi everyone,
This is Amy...again. Well folks, your prayers have made a difference. It looks as though Drew will be going HOME today! He's had a CT scan, a spinal tap, and EEG, and an MRI...and everything is NORMAL! They are meeting with an endocrinologist later today to discuss having Drew come back later to have blood tests to concentrate on the blood sugar factor. Since everything else is okay, this is apparently the next step.

But we are so happy, and our prayers have been answered. Yesterday, Drew was moved out into a room on the floor, given something to eat (no, not the cheeseburger and Reese's cup...yet), he took a shower, and he got to put on his own PJ's! My sister said the staff/nurses/doctors at Egleston have been fantastic, and they couldn't have asked for better care!

We are heading there later today, and we can't wait to see Drew. I know that God is still in the 'miracle business, and we do appreciate your concern, well-wishes and prayers! Thank you so very much!

I know Mama will post ASAP, but until then, I know how much she appreciates your kindness. So on her behalf as well....THANK YOU!

Update on Drew...

Hi everyone,
This is Amy again. I just wanted to give an update on Drew's condition. My mama called last night around 10:30 pm EST, and she said that Drew was awake and asking where his clothes were. Then he wanted something to eat!! LOL Of course, they just gave him ice. And the CT scan didn't show anything, so they did a spinal tap as the next step. We still don't know the results of that. So that was last night's report.

She also called just a little while ago (about 8:00 am EST) with a VERY encouraging report! She said that the nurses gave Drew Gatorade through the night because he was so hungry and thirsty. This morning, he said he REALLY wanted a double cheeseburger and Reese's Cups! LOL Now, that's a very good sign, and I hope it won't be too long before he gets his wish! The neurologists will be coming in later this morning. I will update as soon as I know anything else. And at this point, he is still in ICU at Egleston.

Thank you all so much for your concern, prayers, and encouraging comments! Our whole family appreciates your kindness!