Front Porch Living

What's more summer than Popsicles?

Check out this tin jug!

Perfect for lemonade or ice tea on those humid summer days.

A great find at WalMart.

I've been spending the early morning hours outside.

Enjoying the sounds of Spring and my flowers.

Two beautiful hanging baskets of pink petunias

on each side of the porch.

Rockers out, just waiting for company.

The garage sale braided runner is perfect on the porch.

Railing planters filled with geraniums, snowballs and superbells.

A pot of purple petunias on the step.

Pink on the other side.



But this I'm afraid is going to be my problem child.
Tipsy pots.

Look at the mess after watering!!!
Luckily it's on the back deck.

I should have a few quilts to show you soon.

When the afternoons heat up my studio, in the lower level,

is the best place to be.

Cool.

Hope this finds you HEALTHY and HAPPY!

Hugs,

Flea Market Fun

Photos from "The Pec Thing" website.

What beautiful weather we had this weekend!
Perfect for antique shows & flea markets.
My neighbor Kel calls it "junk'n".
And I was red-deee!
We were at the gate, in line, at 7:45 a.m.
The show is called "The Pec Thing" in
Pecatonica, IL. about a 45 minute drive.

My prized find of the weekend was this quilt top!
Completely hand pieced.
All that work for $25.00.
No rips or tears, just a few minor storage stains.
Nothing that a good washing can't get out.
(After it's quilted, of course).
And then the warm dryer.
Ohhh, those fabrics will wrinkle up so nice and
have that vintage look I love.

Such a wonderful variety of fabrics!
Love the orange centers.

And now on to my bargains.........

Old RED metal bread box ($5.00) perfect for a planter,
don't ya think?

RED polka dot apron ($2.00)
Bag of wooden spools ($1.50)
Cherry tablecloth, great condition ($1.00)

Linens were selling for sew little.
Sad to see all the beautiful hand embroidered pillowcases, tablecloths,
and towels just thrown in a pile on a table selling for $2.00.
I couldn't resist rescuing a couple pieces.
Kel found a pair of NEW, hand stitched pillowcases
with intricate crochet trim for $6.00.
She's lucky she saw them first.

And last, but not least, is a recipe from my Grandma Cottrell.
I had forgotten how easy these were to make and so delicious.
With company coming Sunday for dinner,
I didn't have any frozen rolls to thaw out.
Yep, frozen.
I checked my recipe box and Grandmas' rolls jumped out at me.
No kneading required. My kind of bread.
No more frozen rolls for me!

Click on the recipe to enlarge and print.

This Spry ad came from the 1951 cookbook in her collection.
Her recipe for the rolls was hand written on a card, not in this booklet.
Wonder where she found it? From the newspaper maybe?

Before I forget....is anyone else going to miss "The Bonnie Hunt Show"?
I love her positive message.
None of those, whose your daddy, screaming insults,
chair throwing, guests.
Bonnie's "feel good moment" at the end of the show
always make me smile.
I'm going to miss you Bonnie.

Hope all is well in your world.
Healthy and Happy is what matters.

Garden Party Time

Garden Party Time
at the APPLE BUTTER HOUSE

As you can see it was a beautiful day.
Bright blue sky, fluffy clouds.
Windy, with no chance of snow.

Ohhhh....
wicker for my front porch.
Not this trip.

Isn't the tin bird adorable?

I couldn't miss the log cabin quilt folded on the bench.
And wouldn't this wooden box make a wonderful
place to keep your recipes?

Now go check out the
Apple Butter House for yourself.
Caroline doesn't sell online (yet)
but it's fun to look around.
Who knows, you may be in the
neighborhood someday and want to
stop in for a visit.

Hugs,

What I know for sure

What I know for sure

A year later....

To trust your “gut” instincts.
That little voice inside telling you something isn’t right.
The “God whisper” as Oprah calls it.
Believe it.
When doctors don’t listen, brushing off your concerns,
making you feel like a child,
Change doctors!
Find one who will listen.

I know for sure the saying
"The most important things in life are not things at all."
Is true.
It’s the love of family and friends.
Friends I’ve never met who emailed
and kept me in their prayers. Thank you.

I know for sure
sometimes you need to ask for help.
After the holidays, my February birthday, and
the long winter months dragging on
I fell into a ’funk” as I called it.
Sleeping a lot, not doing the things I love the most.
Not working (quilting). Missing the joy.
I kept thinking as soon as the weather warms up
and I can get outside I’ll get over it.
I told my friends and family I was fine.
Doing great.
I didn’t want to burden them with my “funk”.
I knew I should feel grateful to be alive!
It didn’t lift as Spring approached and
I knew I needed to do something.
I did. Found a Dr who listen.
It is slowly getting better.
I’m starting to feel like my old self again.
Some days are still difficult but there’s light ahead!

This Irish chain quilt was a wedding gift
for my customer's daughter. It was a year late.
Given for their first anniversary instead.
Again, thank you to my understanding customers!

Hugs,