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?