Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! We were discussing New Year traditions today at work and I haven't seen many posts about it, so I thought I would ask you what are your traditions?
My mother always insisted that we eat black eyed peas and she would fry salt pork with this. Of course then she made cornbread to go with it. I thought this was the most disgusting meal of the year. I hated peas and salt pork, at the time I wasn't too fond of cornbread either. So to me New Year's meal was the worst day of the year. It might not have been too bad if we were allowed to eat something else, but I had those parents that MADE you taste it. So my meal was absolutely miserable. Maybe that is why I never made my kids eat things they did not like.

Several other women at work have said they ate fried cabbage. I have never heard of this one, so thought it must originate somewhere further south. I will be off tomorrow, so I haven't even planned a New Years meal, we may just go out to eat, since I have worked all week long. I think it is interesting the differences in cultures, regions and I suppose just different families and the traditions they have created. I wonder where they started? Why do we have to eat black eyed peas for dinner, why does it make you prosperous?????? Apparently it never worked. I really cant remember be overly wealthy, in fact I can remember some very difficult times. So the significance is lost on me.

My wish for you this year is a wonderful 12 months filled with peace, joy and happiness. So much in fact that it spills over to everyone you know. I pray the each of you enjoy good health, long life, and that you will make many lasting memories this year.

This year has been the best year of my life so far! I graduated in May, got a really great job, got engaged, married, moved into a new home, all in one year! How great is that!

I am really looking forward to this year and all that it brings. I haven't made any resolutions yet. But will probably work on that over the next few days. The main thing on my mind this week is First Monday trade days in Canton! I am leaving out Friday morning to go to the flea markets. Hopefully I will stumble across some really cute stuff that I must have and have a great time looking.

Have a Happy new year and let me know about your traditions!

Busy Day

Just a note to let everyone know that I have been thinking about all of my new blogging friends today. I love your comments that you leave. And I enjoy the new friendships I have made in the past two months. Thanks to all of you for brightening my day! I have working today and it has been a bad day, when I got home I read the posted comments and it lifted my spirits tremendously! Thanks again for all of you!

Hugs,

Lorri

Dream Home

I was reading a post yesterday about moving into a dream home and it made me stop to think about how I define this elusive place. I have always had a multiple personality dream home. I love small cozy cottages, farmhouses with wrap around porches, castles with turrets, and lovely old Victorian ladies. So I have had a hard time pinning down exactly what my dream home is.
Years ago , my dream home would have been an old Victorian home. I bought one in 1992, the week before Christmas. She was built in 1909 and had 18 rooms. Her previous owner was a school teacher who inherited it from her parents. She turned it into a boarding house and thus lived in only a portion of it. It had been empty for many years, when I bought it. The house took 3 years to renovate and more sweat, tears and blood than I want to think about. When we finally moved into it. I thought I was in heaven at first. Over the course of the 3 year renovation we had become used to total strangers stopping by to take a look. In fact, we probably would have been through a year earlier if there had not been so many interruptions. But, even after we moved in, it was common for people to stop at my house and insist they come in for a look at the house after we finished it. This became very old to me. So after a few years in the house we decided to sell it and move to the country! Way out in the country! We built a log home which we loved but lived in only a year and then sold it. It was too far out and we spent lots of time in commute to our jobs.

After I divorced, I bought an English Tudor home. Quite cute ,but it never felt like home to me. Since I have recently remarried and living in a ranch style 1980's home, I have started to realize something very important. Home is where you are happy. It doesn't matter what type of home, or where it is located or even if it is old or new. Home is about the happiness felt inside of it. Home is when you take off your shoes and sigh a breath of relief, because you are there. It is a place of love, comfort and joy. Home is an integral part of your being, a feeling you cannot buy or sell.

I have had some very nice places to live in my lifetime, but only one real home and that is where I am right now.

Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon and enjoy the place where you are!

New China Cupboard

I finally had a few minutes today to take new pictures of my lovely china cabinet. Donnie bought this for me for Christmas so I would have a place to display my china. He had a small cabinet already on the wall with some nice transferware in it , so I had to find a piece that would fit in the allotted space. I ran across this while out junkin a few weeks ago, measured it to make sure it would work and asked Santa very sweetly if I could have it. He said I could!

It works very well, there is plenty of drawers and doors to store other things and I am using the drawers to place my linens in. My china is Old Country Roses, by Royal Doulton. I have had this pattern for many years. I spotted this pattern when I was about 10 years old in a dept. store. I instantly fell in love with the red and yellow roses and the gold rims. After many years, I started buying a few pieces at a time until I had enough to serve my family. I am so happy to finally have it out to use again. It has been packed away for the past 7 years. I have had alot of fun, putting it in the cabinet, arranging and rearranging. Isn't so much fun to play house??

Here are a couple of items I inherited from my mother. The sewing machine belonged to her when she was a little girl and the washing machine belonged to her sister. I have had these for many years and brought them out today to put in the kitchen for display.

I Love my Little Chef Oven!

And my red handled cookware!

Happy Day After Christmas!

I have been busy as a bee this morning taking down decorations, washing clothes, sheets, changing out the bed linens and making the house shine. I have taken down the trees, mantle decorations, Bedford Falls Village and put away all of the boxes into the store room. I made a quick dash to Walmart to buy a few things for next Christmas. I like to buy napkins, styro plates and stock up on cups the day after when everything is half off, then I pack them away with my decorations. There they will be safe until next season.
Thoughts of the new year are running through my head. I like to organize and this time of year, wonderful things like file folders and pens are on sale. I usually go through all of my filing system and toss out dated things I no longer need. I get to start using my new Franklin Covey refill, and update my address book. I make my medical and dentist appointments, start thinking about my new year resolutions ( which I seldom reach) and start planning a spring garden. I have an enclosed back porch that I want to make more user friendly. Adding some plants and new chairs so that I can enjoy the fresh air. I have alot of updates this year. Donnie and I are still settling into married life and trying to make this 'our home' . We need to paint the rooms and hang pictures. I have gotten off track over the holidays, so now is the time to start freshening up the cottage and making it just cute as pie!
Have a happy day.
Lorri

It's All Over

The Christmas meal was a huge success, the gifts are unwrapped and the kitchen is clean. The kids have all gone to a movie and I am officially taking a nap!

Hope everyone had a wonderful day. I am planning out my strategy for after holiday sales in the morning. Making a list of things I will need for next year. Enjoy the afternoon!

Lorri

Merry Christmas

It is just now Christmas Day here, and we are getting ready for bed. All of our children are here. We are very blessed to have them all with us. Merry Christmas to everyone! Have a safe and blessed day!.

Lorri

Merry Christmas Eve

Have a wonderful day! I will be back in a couple of days. Taking time to spend with my family and friends. Merry Christmas to everyone. Here are a few more postcards.

An Early Christmas

We have had a difficult time this year finding some mistletoe. So, when I came home last night I was surprised to see two sprigs of it already hanging in the house. I do not know where Donnie found them but he did it! Then he surprised me with an early Christmas present. I have been looking for a china cabinet to display my dishes but I just couldn't find the right one. I prefer it to be old, but wanted it to be reasonably priced as well. I stopped by an old junk place Saturday and was looking around to see what was for sale, when I spotted it. It is a beautiful Duncan Phyfe china hutch, the top had three shelf's for dishes and the bottom has 2 cabinets and 3 drawers for storing linens. The price was $250.00. It is in wonderful condition, so yesterday sweetie went to take a look at it and he bought it for me. I am so happy. It fits perfectly in the dining room. Last night I put a few pieces of my china in it to see how it would look. I haven't had time to take some pictures but promise I will. It is going to work beautifully for my needs.

So, I have had a Merry Christmas already! The house is in a wreck right now, it still needs to be cleaned. Some of the kids are already here and I have to work today and tomorrow. So, the prep time is over.If anything has been forgotten, it is too late. I am sure we will survive! Hope you have a wonderful day today, it is still very cold here and I am looking forward warmer weather. Well, I am off to work another day! Be blessed!

Hugs,
Lorri

It is Cold Here !

There is a frost over the ground this morning and it is quite cold here in Northeast Texas. I am drinking my coffee and pouring over my list of honey-do's. Sweetie is home from work today and I am getting ready for my work week to begin. I imagine there is alot of activity at the north pole as things are winding down for the BIG day! Santa's sleigh is being packed, the elves are rushing around putting last minute touches on children's toys. The List is being watched closely! We will not have a white Christmas here , but a very cold one instead! I have gifts made to take to work this morning for my co-workers. All of our things are wrapped and ready to go. I have a small amount of grocery shopping to do, but sweetie will take care of that for me.

Have a wonderful day, sit back and take a small break. Enjoy this special time of the year. It is magical. I hope that everyone has a great day.

My Grandmother's Nativity Set

My grandmother was a very talented artist in many mediums, oil, ceramic, sewing,crafts, and ingenuity. For many years, she worked tirelessly on this nativity set. It is made of ceramic, but each piece is hand painted in oils. I can remember it being at her workstation for several years. It took her quite sometime to actually complete the entire set.

My grandmother was a nurse, who worked 3-11 shift daily. During the mornings, she worked in her gardens, washed clothes,ironed,cooked and all of her other household duties. She would steal a few minutes at a time to work on these pieces. After she passed away, I inherited them. There was also a creche that she handmade, but someone took it from her home, before I could retrieve it. I am thankful that I have the hand painted pieces of her work.

I keep these out all year long to remember her by. They reside in my antique secretary, where I can see them everyday.

I cant tell you what a wonderful and special woman she was. I especially think of her at Christmas time. Her gifts were always handmade, an apron, a painting, something she had crocheted. They were always special and many hours of her precious time went into them. No one was ever left out at her house. If a guest suddenly showed up during the season, she miraculously had a gift for them. She truly lived by the fishes and loaves theory. Even though she possessed little , she gave much and it expanded to fill the need with left overs to share. I cherish this gift of hers above anything I own.

I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas!

My grandson Jarrett

In this picture Jarrett is telling me he is so sick! Sick, Sick, Sick!

There is only one thing that will help him get well!

A Popsicle

Only a Popsicle will make him better!

Actually only a purple on would work, but

NaNa Lorri only had an orange one

So we are going to make do!

Happy Birthday to my Sweetie!

We are celebrating my husbands 61st birthday today. Donnie's birthday is December 23, so all of the kids are coming over today for lunch. It is so hard to think of gifts for him. He is the type of person that if he wants something he just buys it. Every time I ask him what he wants for a present he will tell me peace and harmony. So besides peace and harmony, there is not much I can think of. This year I bought him a new Harley Davidson shirt and the HBO series of John Adams. He loved both of those gifts and I will make sure he has plenty of peace and harmony to last the year.
He specifically ask for chocolate cake, homemade yeast rolls, fried chicken and all the trimmings. So, I got up extra early this morning to get the rolls to rising and made his cake. All of our kids will be here at noon to eat and wish him well.
This picture was taken in Colorado. Donnie took me there this summer for my birthday. We were celebrating my graduation and needing a break after a long hectic year of school. I had so much fun. I have not travelled much in my life and he has been taking me on trips ever since I met him. There is a great big wide world out there!! Just one of the many reasons I love him so!

Sunday Blessings

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High,shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, my fortress, my God, in Him I will trust. Surely He will save you from the Fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the Lord, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you. No disaster will come near your tent. For He will give his angels charge over thee to protect you in all your ways.They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and cobra: you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because He loves me" says the Lord, " I will rescue him I will protect him, for he calls upon my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation" Psalm 91

This Sunday before our Saviors birth, remember all He has done for you. He is our protector, He is our shield, and high tower. He is the one who hears you when you call on His name. He is the one who delivers us from our enemies and makes our path straight. Remember, He is the one who blesses us and our children. He is the one who provides for us. Most important He is the one who gives us eternal life. Without him we are nothing. With Him we can can do all things. Spend time with Him today, even if it is only a few minutes. Take time to give thanks for all He has blessed us with.

Merry Christmas,

Lorri

Shopping - Again

Here are a few more vintage postcards for your enjoyment. I am off to take my daughter to buy gifts. I thought we were through and had no plans to shop today, but she came home last night with the news that she hadn't bought a gift for her boyfriend. So we are going to fight the traffic and the crowds ONE LAST TIME!!!! I only hope she knows what she is going to get him and this will be a quick trip! In the meantime, enjoy the postcards, they are so sweet!

Put on the Christmas Music and hot cocoa.

Finish your last minute decorations and gift wrapping

Watch a classic Christmas movie

But most of all keep me in your prayers today! Shopping with a teenager is not my fave thing to do!

I have this thing for birds that has taken hold all of a sudden, not sure why I am so attracted to them, but I adore this postcard.

Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful day and I will be back to enjoy browsing other blogs later today. It is pink Saturday and I always love looking at all of the pink!

Hugs,

Lorri

Friday Flea Market Finds and a Little Tree

Here are a few of my finds! Each Friday I post about my treasures I have found during the week.
This wonderful snow bird is a Terra cotta planter that I picked up at Tuesday Morning's. I thought it would be cute with some pansies in it.

My little rosemary Christmas tree is in my barren flower bed right now. I never know what to do with a bird bath, so I place my rosemary in it added some ivy,Spanish moss and surrounded it with red apples. The apples will be enjoyed by the birds and it was cheaper than buying fake ones.

I stopped at Goodwill yesterday and picked up some finds. I found this white little sleigh and plan to use it on my table to put sugar packets in , I love this little red chair, I do not have a clue what to do with it, but couldn't pass it up. I found a candle wreath that I am using to hang from from secretary as a regular wreath.

I thought this little framed sampler was great it is a tiny stitching to remind Santa I have been good.

I also found another little framed Santa and a metal cookie tray to use.

Sorry this picture is not clearer,the flash just can't capture how cute this really is.

Well, this weeks treasure's cost a big whopping total of $10.00. I am tickled about this little sampler. I love them and have a few in my laundry room, that I have purchased over the years. Hope you have a great weekend. We are expecting some very cold weather here tomorrow night. I have already bought cocoa and cant wait , hoping for just a little bit of snow!

Hugs

Lorri