Memory Jar

Good Morning.... As I sip my coffee..... in a nice warm home..... I peer out and the scene is pure fluffy marshmallow white from mini marshmallows falling most of the evening as I watched the Olympics.....
I thought I would share the salvaged half gallon olive jar I made into a "Memory Jar"..... I copied a picture of my Mother taken in 1929 when she was 14 and placed it on a grungied envelope I scrunched and coffee stained....... Added aged book shred and covered the lid with book pages and a ribbon and a Memory Jar Tag..... I will search out some mentos and add them into the jar.... such as jewelry... buttons ... snippet of lace ect... I think I will make another and offer it to my daughter as I save my olive jars... The are a budget friendly option instead of a glass cloche..... Speaking of glass cloches I think today I may change a couple of my cloches over to spring... rather a odd thought with the marshmallow world outside.... singing now..... "It's a marshmallow world in the winter... when the snow comes to cover the ground"..... Oh my gosh, I must find something to get my get it up, going..........

Sinful

After spending most of the day cleaning it was time for cooking our supper...Breaded pork tenderettes{ breaded in crushed potato chips from the bottom of the sack} scalloped sour cream potatoes, corn and applesauce... It was luscious.... While in oven and using stove top I decided to try a new recipe for popcorn... I made carmel corn for us about once a month but hadn't tried this one yet.... Well let me tell you between the tenderettes fried in crushed potato chips and this sinful popcorn I must be very good today...

Chocolate Pecan Popcorn

I started out with 2 large bags of microwave popcorn..... place it in a very large glass casserole baking dish sprayed with cooking oil to keep mixture from sticking to dish...preheat oven to 350 degrees
In larger saucepan melt 1 1/2 stick butter....
Add 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
dash of salt
add pecans 1/2 to 1 cup
Bring this mixture to a rolling boil..... takes 8 to 9 minutes boiling time.... If you use candy thermo...about 260.... work quickly and add ...
2 large tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
dash of baking powder....
Mix while still on stove ....
Pour mixture over popcorn while stirring constantly... stir as well as possible .......place in oven for about 3 minutes... pull out and stir around again to mix .... place in oven one more time for about 3 minutes and stir again and pour out on large pieces of cut foil... I fold two together.... break larger pieces apart and let to cool....
I store mine in gallon freezer bags but air tight containers are great also.... Join me in a sinful day.........

Ps... I did complete a memory jar last night I will share with you this weekend......

Doing It My Way

Yesterday afternoon I spent a couple hours creating.... A couple weeks ago I purchased a yard of material at Hobby Lobby when Tom and I made a afternoon trip there.... I think this was 2.49 a yard..... I used a half of yard making these two pillows..... As always .... I did it my way.... stayed with the budget and got out the fabric pen and took a image of a old post card I had in my pics on computer ... printer it out and headed to the rec room..... I just simply cut out the pillows.... free handed the letters .... sewed them up and added tags with old stamps.... also stored in pics on computer.... I have about 2.50 in each pillow..... If I ever find original french feed sacks at a reasonable price ..... I will buy then but for now I will use these.... They are so budget friendly and they really are rather cute... Always can be taken outside on the porch and decks this summer for special occasions......I just can't bring myself to pay the 50.00 to 200.00 for the wonderful pillows many are featuring but I sure do love them...... Be patient... something will come along....
Guess what .... it is snowing here again this morning as I sip my coffee.... Today is cleaning day for me and I should be up moving already but I need some sunshine to charge my battery.... I emptied a large olive jar that I plan on scrapping with maybe later today or tomorrow... I saw about a month ago a memory jar someone had created and thought it was so sweet... I thought I would try my olive jar and with Mothers Day coming up display it with a sweet picture of my mom taken in 1929 when she was 14.... It would be a lovely reminder of her as I have not had her for several years now... To be continued......

Neglected Beauties

Pics from last spring on deck.... tea party.... Mother Nature blanketed the ground with more white heavy powder... Just when I was dreaming of letting someone else's trash become my treasure... when my garden comes to life.... Think I will hunt for some neglected beauties hiding in unhunted areas to add to my outdoor spaces... Just for a few small changes this coming season... I still love old and chippy china buried and peeking out from the ground and may hunt for some very budget friendly pieces of rose china. For now I must just dream however... But I know in a few weeks I can take little walks outside and once again be on the decks... For now ... today I will have to get inspired and tackle some indoor projects... since stripping my bed and washing my sheets that I am doing right now... I'm not feeling it.... Yesterday late afternoon Tom and I headed to Defiance... We had a friend pass away and went to the funeral home to show respects.... completed some chores... stopped at Dollar Store and pick up a few staples.... 17.00... went to gas station and pumped gas into my Trailblazer { Bessie} 38.00 ... stopped at Elks.. signed the books and had a couple beverages... 5.00... stopped and had a couple burgers at restaurant before going to Ball game.... 12.00... and went to Tinora Girls Basketball Tournament Game... 12.00... { we won} and neither of us considered that a lavish day... but came home spending 84.00 and gee's how many days a week can a average person do that... The day before we went to the grocery store and purchased 140.00 in food and staples..It is truly amazing what the costs are to have a ordinary day... Needless to say.. I will be heading to the rec room to get into more stash for entertainment today... We have 2 more games we plan on attending through this week end.... Although the aging process is not the most fun I am truly thankful I have my family raised... I am not so sure I could have survived the ways of today... The pressures are high and the standards are also... Guess this is truly another reason for loving vintage.. timeworn... shabby and chippy.... It fits right in with my lifestyle... Have a great day everyone.....

Pattern Tissue Wreath

Yesterday afternoon was spent indoor cooking supper and creating.. I had a styrofoam wreath I recycled from another project and tissue patterns I had purchased for pennies last year when making tissue paper flowers for my Christmas..... Thought I would use these materials and create a wreath... I have seen the book page wreaths that a couple bloggers had made and thought I would use what I have available and make it as simple as possible... I used no glue in this project as it did not require it.... Cutting 5 to 6 inch wide strips of uncut old patterns.... they do not have to be perfect.... The length varied some from 12 to 15 inches... I cut pieces of wire from my spool to make a hairpin to replace greening pins which can be purchased at a craft or florist for about 2 cents each.... Gathered the strips down the center and placed the wire pin through the center and shoved it in..I did use my needle nose pliers to give it a extra shove in the stryo and make it secure... I added a tag and now replaced the evergreen wreath on the inside of my front door... Zero dollars as everything was from my stash.... Ps. I did wrap the wreath with a couple of the longer strips pf tissue to cover my mechanics....

Spring sweetness didn't arrive last evening or this morning... rather wet snow and sleet combo... I did a skid walking out to retrieve the mail a little bit ago so I think I am in for the day.... as I await mother nature to awake from her season of slumber....

Still Hibernating........

I am hoping to see the hibernation end in the next couple weeks but for now I understand we have winter doldrums coming our way... The yard is barren with the missing color of lovely flowers and foliage that I yearn for.. but Ash Wednesday has past with the promise of forthcoming blossoms ... but for now the frigid days... All this forces us to try and enjoy the small things we love... I am anxiously awaiting the sense of renewal.....
I received my Victoria magazine yesterday and loved the pages on Peacock Park... I looked on her website and you can only purchase wholesale.... She does have a blog however .... I would like to share that with you.... It is Gina http://peacockparkdesign.blogspot.com
and oh my gosh those pillows... yummmmm... I am off to enjoy more of my magazine and maybe do some scrapping today.... Have a lovely weekend everyone.... and many blessings......

Generous Little Doses

Do you have a most valuable possession? I have many things I love.... Do you believe surrounding yourself with things you enjoy cause much joy... Just living in a free country and being able to do what we love is a true blessing... The charming details and creative ideas married with wonderful dishes, beautiful settings can make delicious for me. Generous little doses of all these makes life very desirable... Identify and taking the time to soothe ones soul and mind and body is the key... If you let this all slip by because you think you are too busy.....you loose out... The verse" Take Time To Smell The Roses" has very strong meaning... persue your passions... it may have to be in a smaller way but it will create contentment..... Notes, pictures, and findings create inspiration... Creating lovely spaces for ones self is always conversation starter and can be enjoyed by all. Have a dream... start creating charm to your rooms... Enjoy.....

Still Dreaming Of French

I am still dreaming in french vintage and searching for objects and inspirations for different little details to add to my home... The canvas totes worked out nicely and I do enjoy the touches of French already added so the search is still on... I have noticed many have bottles displayed and many are embellishing them... You do need a lid of form or a cork for this project but a easy gift or use for one's self for the bath area is fill with baby oil and insert with small dried buds from your garden such as mini roses... lavender heads.. rose hips etc..... Enjoy ...

Friends

WHAT WE OWE OUR FRIENDS
Our Loyalty
Our Love
Our genuine concern for their well being

WHY WE NEED OUR FRIENDS
For fun and companionship
For strength
For insight and identify

WHY WE NEED OUR GIRLFRIENDS
Because we need to talk
Because there are things a man just " DOESN'T GET".....

Since I have been blogging it seems I never feel like I am ever alone... MY lists of new blogs seem to grow everyday I happen on new blogs and I know there are so many out there to still be discovered, that will bring me great joy... So much inspiration and "yes" lessons learned in life and creating by loving and talent just wows me. Some of us create on tight budgets and many do no have to be concerned about the cost... These are always very obvious to me... but I find them both interesting... I especially love the blogs that show creating from found objects and do things on a budget... Also love to find something to make me smile is always a delight... One of my favorite visits{ and believe me I have a half days worth} is to Kim at http://thevictorianparlor.blogspot.com her lovely work and stories and searches and who can forget Kramer Chronicles always makes me smile...

"We cannot really love anybody whom we never laugh with".............
Agnes Repplier

Before and After

I promised to share my oatmeal box with you from my cookie baking last week.... I scrapped and completed it yesterday afternoon and it will most likely be gifted out with cookies or candy as a small gift to a friend.... Tom had collected what seems to be hundreds of guest soaps from staying in motels his trucking career and I have many I have started wrapping in old book pages ... They could be gifted also...

The box I have in the last picture was a gift from Hickory Farms we received for Christmas... The box was so strong I hated to toss it so I scrapped it also.... You see if you live at my house you get embellished..... I think I have too much time on my hands and think of a way something could still be enjoyed.... If we look at items in a different way many times they can turn out to be something very special......

Making A Memory

Making a memory does not always mean you give someone a wrapped gift.... When we give largely of one's self we are also giving a special gift. Possibly traditions that teach a valuable lesson can be the greatest gift we give. I enjoy watching grandparents with moments with grandchildren.... We learn through wisdom and whom greater to give that through experience.... Life really is about basic necessities... not always about celebration. Passing on the old saying.." we don't live on bread alone" becomes a wonderful gift. Surround yourself in memories and share and create some with others... How very rewarding for both....
Happy Valentines Day..............

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a wonderful way to make "I Love You" easy to say.

Nothin Says Lovin

" Nothin Says Lovin like Like Somethin From The Oven".... Delicious old fashion oatmeal cookies on a cold winters day... I always use the recipe on the oatmeal lid..... but I add a couple little tricks to embellish the cookies.. You know me everything I touch gets embellished. I really like yellow raisins better and I take 1/2 cup of water and bring it to a boil and let the raisins plump up in it.... I use about a teaspoon of the raisin water in the dough as it is always so thick and this adds moisture to the cookie... No more though..... Then after I have the large spoonful of dough ready to place on cookie sheet I sprinkle the top of the dough with sugar and cinnamon mixture I have made in a small custard dish... 2 tablespoon of white sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon usually is the right amount for a batch of cookies.... Remember ya all can't add enough pecans or walnuts.... Yummy!!!!!
I emptied the box of oatmeal and was going to throw it away but I looked and thought maybe I can scrap with it....to be continued....

Home Sweet Home

The photo above is of Tom wishing he was doing this instead of what he is doing right this minute....
For many of us we treasure old things because it reminds us of another time and place... For me.... I find the endurance of the object to be inspiring. I love using my imagination to find a new life for the piece. I don't tend to fall for the trends... I don't have to have museum pieces or signed pieces, just a sweet little piece that speaks to me.."Take me home" Packaging sells items... it is the eye candy and this also takes place when decorating one's home. The way we display little loved objects as buttons and vintage jewels can set a tone for small details... Mixing and matching brings back childhood as funds were not available for matching everything as some do in today's era. I believe this is what makes me comfortable with collections of loved objects.... For most of us I think our homes show most of our personalities... Items like scented candles... sachets... bath oils and perfumes show we are not afraid to pamper... The use of a object in another way shows creativity to me. I so enjoy and find inspiration from viewing displays of others as I have stated in the past. Today I would love to go treasure shopping...... BUT.... Tom is outside blowing foots of snow and at this time I would be knee deep getting out my doors... I will just visit some of your lovely blogs and get my inspiration... I just sat a couple sticks of butter out to soften on the kitchen counter.... to make a batch of old fashion oatmeal cookies.... Seems due to the winter's blast we have eaten all the chocolate chip ones I made last week. Yikes, the weather best break soon.... we are sitting and indulging.....well I am off to visit some of you......

No Sitting By The Roadside

I do know I have no plans on sitting by the roadside trying to hook a ride today... I have no thoughts of leaving by warm home... We are into the beginning of a snowstorm that is suppose to intensify this afternoon... All area schools are closed due to the heavy forecast... I just placed a kettle of soup on the stove for lunch as it seemed to be the perfect answer for a snow white day... I will find some little creations to keep me busy this afternoon...
Yesterday was a different story... Tom and I drove to Adrian, Michigan and the sun was shinning most of the day although very cold.... I bought us a GPS for Valentines and my birthday and we played with it ... learning how to use it... Really a fascinating little gadget.... We did have lunch at a sports bar and grill and then I spent about an hour in Hobby Lobby.... So man interesting things to look at... I did find a piece of material for a pillow... to be continued later... Looked at many silks and water stems.. I was temped but thought I best go through what I had here first... As soon as Valentines Day is over this weekend I usually start placing out a spring look in the house for Easter... The possibilities are endless... Use of natures items are always available also. It just becomes time for sweet little bunnies and eggs to take center stage... The magic is always in the little details... I will have to get back to the basics of Renew, Rejuvenate, and Inspire.
Are you planning a romantic winters evening for Valentine's Day? I was wanting to plan a special evening but not feeling well has set that on a back burner... I would still like to do something small and special... It would have to be on Friday evening as we have a Tinora Basketball game we want to attend on Saturday and on Sunday evening we have a Parish Appreciation Dinner the Church has catered for the members of the parish at St. Michael's Ridge..... I will be looking forward to viewing many blogs and see your special plans.... Stay warm... and Be Happy.

Still Not Feeling Like Facing The World Today

Today is my birthday and I just want to go take a nap... I thought I was feeling better and just about that time this cold and cough took over again..... I have a apple pie in the oven baking and some ice cream for dessert tonight and I am going to make steak and baked potato and salad and that will be about all the celebrating for today....I think I need some sunshine but it is not in the forecast for next week... Colder is... Gee ... I need to take my nap and wake up with a good attitude adjustment... Hope you all are having a nice Sunday... It's big game day for the guys....I went down to the rec room earlier and Tom had the Ohio State Girls Basketball Game on the computer playing and watching and listening to the Ohio State Boys play also.... Yikes.... I didn't survive down there long with all that and the cold thing going on.... I am sure I will be better this next week and will have something pleasant to post.... Blessings to all till then....

Expecting A Snow Storm

The weather reports are preparing us for snow to start arriving this afternoon through tomorrow.... I don't believe I will be going out making snowballs.... but rather sitting and peering outside.... I am starting to feel much better.... but the cold and cough is really hanging on.... so many seem to be having the same effects.....
I will look at this taste of winter as a gift to enjoy the beautiful snowflakes..... it is quite lovely when you can be inside looking out... I do feel for the ones who must travel in it however.... I will have to take the chill off with sips of hot chocolate ... oozing with whipped cream.... and warming the body and soul.... I will just be thankful I can enjoy each day as it arrives and try to see all the beauty in it.....

Cherub Love

As Valentines Day approaches I thought I would share a couple cherubs I have in my home.... The first framed cherub picture is a large of cherub sleeping and I believe it to be from the late 40's. The next picture is of cherub awake and is smaller .... about 6".... and of course they both are embellished... The little wind-up cherub clock is iron and very heavy and runs perfect ...it was bronze originally.... I have always acquainted cherubs for Valentines day.... and have always remembered cherubs from childhood to today....

The Legend of the Cherub.... it was 1946... thousands of military service were returning home from World War II. One among them was Virginia Homes... she had been a prize winning commercial artist. She was returning to Indianapolis to begin a job with L.S. Ayers, then a department store downtown... It soon became time to compile a holiday catalog in 1946....of course merchandise was in very little supply... she created a whimsical cherub to fill the empty pages of the catalog... Capturing the hearts of Americans the cherubs began a holiday tradition in Indianapolis that continues today. When in Indy it is told that a whimsical bronze cherub mysteriously appeared atop the clock on Thanksgiving Eve in 1947 keeping a watchful eye on shoppers ....

In 1986 the May Department Store Co. purchased L.S.Ayres and moved the cherub to its headquarters in St. Louis in 1992. It caused such a stir from the public when the cherub was not present for the holiday season... The May Co. donated the bronze cherub to the city of Indianapolis ... so becoming the cherub legal guardian.....

I found this very interesting as I have always aquainted cherubs for Valentines Day........

Thinking Of All My Blogging Friends

Seems as though when you are down with a cold and cough you aren't very creative.... I am hoping to be back again with a lovely post and a positive attitude..... real soon.... I have been checking in on a few of you...I did attend Tinora Girls Basketball game last night and got so into it any energy I did have I left in the auditorium.... What a game we won.....I slept quite a bit today......