This is how we southerners greet each other as we meet!

 

So Merry Christmas to you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WISHING EVERYONE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING......

Can't have too many shelves.......Tara The Taurus X has a big booboo!

A few months back I went to a nearby town to remove old merchandise from my two booths in a 'Collectible Shop' and to restock....after finishing my booths I looked around and found this beautiful black shelf for $8.00.  It now has a home on the black TV cabinet and holds pewter, books and a white bunny.

My pictures are made with my phone so the quality isn't so good.

The fretwork on the sides...and two little drawers on the bottom.

Can you believe that this is almost $1,200.00 worth of damage to Tara?  She needs a big bandaide and my husband needs a big dose of pain medicine!

As I was backing out of the parking place, after making sure no vehicles were coming...I did not see the let-down tailgate on the little truck parked next to me.

As Moms Mabley used to say, "Don't worry 'bout dem traffic lights, it's dem cars dat kill ya!"

Well, it's dem tailgates dat gits ya!

FLY HIGH OLD GLORY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

MAY YOU CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE......

Happy Mother's Day........

                            Courtesy of Karen at The GraphicsFairy

(Both men & women, sons & daughters - need to read this) BEING A MOTHER... After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.' * * * The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. * * * That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. * * * 'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked? * * * My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. * * * 'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.' * * * That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date.  She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th. * * * She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'. * * * We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded. * * * During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. * * * As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed. * * * 'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered. * * * A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. * * * Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.' * * * At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.

The Royal Collection......in my dining room

An overall view of 'The Royal Collection'...and Aunt Betty's tea set on the second shelf...you can read about the story of the tea set  here....(see list on side bar)

My dear, dear English friend, Marion, who lives in Wales, has

sent so many, many beautiful English mementoes.  Including, an exquisite cup and plate depicting Prince William's and the Duchess of Cambridge's marriage, a red call (phone) box, letter box...

the English flag on the left and the Welsh flag on the right.

A red double decker bus...the plate to the left is from Marion's own collection... of Queen Elisabeth and also from her collection a cup that depicts the Coronation of King George in 1937.

Julia, Marion's daughter, graciously gifted me with a black, London cab...the cup showing Princess Di was purchased in a thrift store many years ago when happy times prevailed.  Prince Charles is on one side and Princess Di on the other.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CROSS.....

It is ALL ABOUT THE CROSS...

....He arose as He said He would......

Praying that you have a blessed Easter....

In Honor and In Memory.......

Passing the Purple Hat to You 
IN honour of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck 
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer). 

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. 

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. 

I would have talked less and listened more. 

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. 

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. 

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. 

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. 

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. 

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. 

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. 

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. 

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.. 

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.'  There would have been more 'I love you's, more 'I'm sorry's.' 

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back.  STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.. 

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Excellent advice to everyone.....

Betty

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY, Y'ALL.....

Happy St. Patrick's Day to one and all!

I've found the 'Pot of Gold' at the end of the rainbow....it's my family, my home, my faith, my friends, my flowers, my pets...I could go on and on. 

Have you found your 'Pot of Gold'?

SISTA'S OF THE SOCIETY OF THE STRIPED STOCKINGS

If when Christmas shopping, you see a display of Christmas stockings priced at $3.00 a pair and a salesperson says, "if you buy 10 pair then they're a dollar each."  In a female's DNA is the thrifting gene so that automatically kicks in. The next problem is who will you give 10 pair to...red and white striped ones just seem to jump in my hands...Lucy, the Princess, in her Mama's lap, is a little upset that she didn't get a pair!  Sorry Lucy!

Immediately, two daughters come to mind, then three granddaughters, and of course me.  Another pair goes into the gift box going to Wales to our dear friend Marion. So now we're international! I don't think John would care for a pair.

It's always a good idea to have some in reserve.....

Happy Valentine's Day to You!

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU! 

Tell your love ones that you love them ......

That's the BEST gift of all!

Valentine courtesy of Karen at The Graphics Fairy...

Thrifting finds in January.....

I do believe my heart rate rachets up several numbers when I walk in the doors of a thrift store!

I was happy to find the straw Capelli handbag...

It has a shell fastener...and great detail...and cost one dollar!

I was delighted to find this vintage picnic basket,in excellent condition, with a shelf for two layers of food...$2 and a few cents!!!!

For one dollar this dish carrier...actually I think it's for paper plates, cups, napkins, etc. but I'll use dishes in it sometimes.

A pretty pot of faux grass...

An authentic Dooney and Burke hand bag...timeless...

What treasures have you gleaned?

FRESH PINEAPPLE....and a new gadget......

I am linking up to 'Your Cozy Home Party' hosted every Tuesday by Shannon at Cozy Home Scenes. Check out her blog for more great 'cozy home' posts!

Nothing is better in the dead of winter than fresh pineapple...

My husband rooted tops of other pineapples by placing the tops in soil....

A new gaget, at least to me, is a pretty red pineapple corer...very easy to use....perfect slices every time....

        Bon Appetit!

Edited to add:  During the winter the plants are moved into the green house.

Let them eat cake!

Would you care for a slice of coconut cake?

This one takes about 10 minutes to make.

First you find a plastic salad mold at a thrift store for 25 cents....next brush on my friend, Elmer....then sprinkle liberally with bagged Christmas snow.
           Voila!
A beautiful Coconut Cake...with absolutely NO calories!