Jun
2018

Tin Can Herb Garden

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

I have never grown herbs!

The reason, I suppose, is that I am not a great cook, although I am trying to improve in that area.

But…I have been looking at my so-called “bucket list” and growing herbs is on it!

Most folks might have wonderful, amazing trips, and daring adventures on their lists, but not me.

My wants are simple ones!

Cookie tins purchased at the thrift store for 25 cents each, was the start of my herb growing project.

I spray painted the tins with a black matte paint.

Punched holes in the tins for drainage, and placed several stones in the bottom of each tin, before planting my herbs.

I purchased three herbs at my garden store to start, basil, oregano, and cilantro.

Made some cute tags to finish up, tied on each tin with black and white twine.

There are many free herb printables on Pinterest, or simple wood sticks would also work if you wanted markers.

My plants will stay out on my back porch for now, but will be moved inside later.

I have a large garden window in my kitchen which will allow plenty of light for growing in the winter.

My sweet kitty loves to sit in the window.

Isn’t she so beautiful?

We love her so!

Crossed off my “bucket list”, herb garden!

This was a fun, simple, one day project, and I am so very pleased with the way it turned out!

Love them!

Thanks for letting me share today, it has been awhile!

Life brings highs and lows to our daily lives, interruping our everyday routines, doesn’t it?

Hope your day is filled with nothing but beautiful, wonderful highs today!

Love to all.


May
2018

My Quiet Place

categories: Home Projects, Living with MS

I have a place I go, a beautiful simple place, my quiet place.

I go there so many times throughout my days, to release stress, worry, loneliness, sadness, and sometimes to have a private cry.

It’s just a small outside corner at the back of my house.

An old, worn, chippy, picnic table, made into a potting bench for me, by my son on Mother’s Day, many years ago.

There is just something overwhelmingly calm about working with flowers, dirt, and old pots.

I am always adding fun things to this area, a sweet little bird, a garden sign, that is probably 20 years old, and of course, a banner of seed packets!  You all know I love to make banners!

How can anyone look at flowers and plants, and not believe in God?

It is rare when my husband complains about all the issues he deals with everyday, living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Yesterday, he told me the pain and burning in his right leg is spreading to his left leg.

What could I say or do?

He will not see a doctor, he does not believe they can help him, he knows there is no cure.

I went to my place of quiet to pray, as I often do, alone.

How can I help him?

I am thankful for this place I go, to sit sometimes, to be still, and know God is with us!

Thanks for letting me share such things, it helps!

Love all of you!

Hope you have that special place in your home, that is yours, to be still, to be quiet.

Have a blessed holiday weekend.

 


May
2018

Whimsy Flower Boxes

categories: Crafts, DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, Home Projects, Spring

Just loving the weather we are having!

I remember, in the cold of winter, looking out my kitchen window, longing for the warmth, the green, the colors, the sounds, of this glorious time of the year.

It’s here, I am so pleased and thankful!

Love to add whimsy things to my porch and yard, simple fun things.

Found this plain wood box at the thrift store some time back, stashed it away, I knew I would find a way to use it eventually.

I also found this old flower box in my garage, from years ago, when I displayed at craft fairs.

It was a popular item I made and sold some 20 years ago!

Both boxes just needed a bit of sanding, some paint, and little time to turn into two whimsy flower boxes.

Take a look at my old boxes now!

Love them!

The addition of a knob from Hobby Lobby gave the plain box, now painted white, that little extra it needed to be special.

The picket fence box didn’t need much, I still loved the primitive look from so many years ago.  Just repaired the mini birdhouse on the fence, sanded and cleaned.

Adding flowers was the final touch.

Oh my gosh, to me, they are so beautiful!

Do fun, whimsy things today!

Giggle and love today!

See ya!


May
2018

Living Paycheck to Paycheck

categories: My Simple Home, Random Thoughts

“Living paycheck to paycheck”, a phrase we hear folks say from time to time.

This phrase has a kinda silly, crazy, meaning for me!

Money is so very tight for me and my husband since I stopped working.

Of course, having extra money is not the most important part of our lives.  That is why my decision to stop working to spend more time with my husband, as he deals with a progressive disease, was the right thing to do.

I am learning to do without a bunch of extra things.  It is really not so hard.

We are on a budget, but we both are allowed a bit of spending money each month, my husband saves his, I use mine for my hair, lunches out, thrift store visits and such.

So, at the end of each month, right before “payday”, I see what I have left.

If there is something beautiful I have been wanting, and my “end of the month money” allows, I treat myself!

This was my latest “end of the month money” purchase.

A beautiful canvas of an angel holding a baby.

The cost was $30 at Kirkland’s.

It was special to me when I saw it, reminding me immediately of the day my son was born, holding him in my arms for the first time.

I prayed to our Lord that day, “please send a special guardian angel to always watch over him”.

The colors are soft and lovely, I really love it!

The canvas has found a home above my painted gray, thrift store table.  So beautiful together.

Tuesday was the day before my monthly spending money was replenished!

I had $5 in my wallet, all was good!

Love you all!

May the angels watch over all of you, and those you love.

Have a blessed Sunday.

 

 


May
2018

A Last Minute Gift Idea

categories: DIY, Mother's Day

Sharing a sweet, thoughtful, simple, gift idea with everyone today.

A gift with meaning, to give for almost any occasion, even a last minute Mother’s Day gift!

Taking photos is a big part of all of our lives today, so for this gift, simply choose a favorite photo, a double frame, a quote, saying, poem, or in one of my examples, song lyrics.

Choose words related to the photo, or words that have sentimental value to the recipient.

Since tomorrow is Mother’s Day, I made this one for myself.

My favorite photo of my son, very small, framed with a beautiful thought on having a son.

It sits in my bedroom, next to a photo of me and my husband, on our wedding day, the three of us, many years ago, my family.

Oh my, love it!

You can see the simplicity of this gift idea.

Here’s one I made for my sister and brother-in-law, for their anniversary.

Such a silly photo taken on a family vacation.

We all had to make tin foil hats as part of a game. So many laughs!

I paired the photo with song lyrics that captured the photo, song lyrics, that have special meaning to my sister.

Selected a whimsy font when I typed the lyrics, whimsy and fun like the photo.

It’s so cute!

My last example, a birthday gift, expressing love for a special little boy, a sweet boy, my nieces love so much.

The little boy, the son of one of their best friends, has been in their lives since he was born.

Again, I hope that you all can see how simple, and easy.

Print the photo, the words, and frame, that’s it!

What I really love about giving this as a gift, is that hopefully, the recipient sees the thoughtfulness, and love, that went into putting it together.

It’s a keepsake!

Love, family, friends, that’s what this idea is about!

Please don’t forget your Moms tomorrow, and those ladies in your life who are special.

So much love in my heart for all today!

 

 


Apr
2018

Another Trip to the Country

categories: My Simple Offerings, Random Thoughts

A week ago, I was so blessed to be invited to visit my niece, the love of her life, and her extended family.

Good, kind, lovely folks.

She lives further north in the country, Ohio farmland.

Today I write few words, but many photos of my precious visit.

Early morning, loved the blues, and the pinks in the sky, so beautiful.

Sitting on their porch, early, having a cup of coffee is heaven to me.

The fields yet to be planted.

You must be in the country when your neighbors are bulls and cows!

We took a day to visit nearby Amish country.

Plenty of meats, cheeses, and bakery goods.

Stopped for a peice of peanut butter pie and coffee.  Oh my, so good!

Beautiful land with immaculate farms.

Many buggies gathered, and bikes too!

Gathered for a Saturday morning baseball game.

The ladies all sitting together, so cute!

We visited a few shops, my favorite, “Red Poppy Store”, farmhouse decor, of course!

The shopper is my sweet niece!

She likes to shop, just like me!

Love her so!

Thank you for letting me share.

There is a peaceful, simplicity about their home.

Gathering on the porch, just visiting, laughing, enjoying each other’s company.

Hope to visit again sometime this summer.

It is one of the joys in my life, just a wonderful place to be!

Blessings from our Lord, to all of you, on this Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Apr
2018

Creating Simple Wall Art

categories: Home Projects

My sweet son recently painted my bedroom, gray of course!

Gray is my new white.

Light gray walls can be accented with all colors.

I purchased a new comforter set for our bed, black and white buffalo check, of course!

Love the simple, clean, farmhouse look it adds to a room.

Shopped around for some artwork for above our bed, but was unable to find anything I really liked, or could afford, so I created my own.

Using Pic Monkey, a photo editing site, that also allows you to create on a blank canvas, I came up with several simple sayings to frame.  Pic Monkey is free, check it out!

Once I created the prints, I used my home printer to copy, and then framed each one with frames I had used before.

They were perfect for over our bed.

I ended up only using three of the four prints due to the space available.  There should be no problem finding a perfect spot in my home for the fourth print, “live simply”.

This bedroom has two windows with a connecting window seat.

I am not sure what to add, curtains or not, more artwork or not, pillows, maybe not!

Once I decide what to do, I will share with all of you!

This project was so fun and easy to complete.

Hope you all enjoyed viewing my inexpensive project, and most of all, I hope you are enjoying creating fun things in your life!

Love you all bunches!

 

 

 


Apr
2018

Our Pets – Lessons Learned

categories: Random Thoughts

I have the sweetest kitty in my life right now, she wants to be with me almost every moment of my day.

Kitty follows me everywhere as I am going about my daily routine.

Upstairs and down she follows, and then she sits and watches me, patiently waiting as I complete my tasks, accepting any word or touch I give her along the way.

She is so sweet, so different from most other cats we have had in our lives.

Months ago I read an article about lessons we can learn from our pets.  The article was written by Femke Tewari, a lifestyle photographer.  She writes about her dog, but so much of what she writes is true of my little kitty.

I found the article and want to share parts of it with all today.

“The highlight of a dog’s day is when you come home.  They’re usually so happy — almost hysterically so — even if you have only been gone for 10 minutes.  This makes us feel good and love them more.

A dog forgives instantly, which is why we can never seem to stay upset with them.

When a dog wants attention or wants to be cuddled, he asks for it.  And he receives.

Dogs usually like to be physically very close to their family.  If they have the chance, they will either be on your lap or at least lying by your feet wherever you are.

A dog’s love for his family is truly unconditional.  This makes the family’s love for the dog unconditional too.

   There is so much we can learn from our furry family members.  Why not take a cue from their actions and see how it improves the relationships with our loved ones?  Let’s show our children and spouses how happy it makes us when they come home at the end of each day.  Let’s forgive quickly.  Let’s spend more time hugging, cuddling, and being physically close.  If we want to be hugged and kissed more, let’s just ask.  Dogs are proof that the more love you give, the more you will receive.  So Let’s try to love more and make it more unconditional, because that will most likely be what we will receive.”

Hope you enjoyed this article as much as I did.

Cuddle today, give love today, ask for hugs and kisses!

Simple blessings to all today.

 

 

 


Apr
2018

Side Table Refresh

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, Home Projects

Hello friends!

Today I want to share a $12 thrift store side table refresh.

The table was in pretty good shape when I purchased it some time ago. Not much to do, some scratches and nicks to repair, especially on the wood top, and I wanted to change the color.

This is the before.

Here is the side table now.

Love it!

I wanted a table in our small upstairs hall, right in front of the hall bathroom. This table was the perfect size for the available wall space.

I used the same paint as the bathroom vanity I refreshed last year.

The knob is one that I already had, and I really like the way it looks on the table drawer.  Love the small bit of gold.

For now, I have placed a battery operated candle on the table, a perfect night light in the hall.

As with most of my projects, it was easy, simple, fun, and a great sense of accomplishment when completed.

Cleaning, sanding before painting, and staining the wood top, that was all I did to this table.

I am a picky thrift store shopper, cleaning all items thoroughly, and cleaning again, is a must for me.

Right now I am not buying and bringing home items that I do not need.  My home is not large, and I already feel I have hoarded enough stuff.

This table is my largest project to date.  It turned out amazing, at little cost.  A new table for this space would probably cost over $100.

I am pleased, so very pleased, with my small table refresh.

A few more items to finish before the weather warms, I so want to be outside working in my yard.

Love today, laugh today, be so thankful today!

 


Apr
2018

Easter Blessings

categories: Easter

Blessings to all on this Easter Sunday.

A day to rejoice!

My Savior, my Lord, my Friend, has risen.

His resurrection should quiet all our fears of what is to come.

My growing faith is so important to me.

My troubled life calmed when my Lord entered my heart.

I was sitting quietly, very early on this Easter morning, remembering, and longing, for the Easter Sundays when I was growing up.

Miss those days of the family gathering at grandma’s house for a country dinner, with biscuits, and a table full of desserts.

Miss the old gospel songs sung by my mom and her sisters as they cleaned the dishes.

Precious memories.

Life is different now, families scattered, separated, and busy.

Love, blessings, and precious memories to all today.

“precious memories, how they linger”