Transformation!

 Believe it or not those cabinets used to be light stain and scruffy, with bright orange counter tops. We painted it white, added new hardware and used a paint technique on the counter tops to simulate granite. I don't have a close up of it, but it does have the flecks in it and looks so much better. Im sorry I do not have a before shot, but trust me you would not have taken a photo of it either! This is the kitchen in Donnie's old house. Everything was original to 1983 and was stuck in a time warp. I bought a new gas range and sink also.

 I wanted to show you the difference in the chairs I have been working on. I bought the table and 6 chairs for $100 at a yard sale last year. They have been taking up space in the dining room and haven't had time to work on them. I bought some Annie Sloan chalk paint. Dry brushed the chair, sanded it a bit and put a coat of wax on them

  This is the before shot and this is after. I covered the seats with a waverly fabric that I really like. It has a cream background with a block stamped look. I have enough to make some matching drapes, after I finish the six chairs!   Staying busy.

Thank You! And Other News.

 I would to like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who sent emails, prayers and encouraging thoughts my way this past month. It has been a difficult time for us and knowing there are wonderful people out there that lift you up in prayer is so appreciated.
 
We have been so busy and spending extra time with the grandsons lately. We have had two pool parties for all our grown children and spent past 2 Sunday's with them. It is always a lot of fun, but it sure does wear me out! Thank goodness for Chef Bryan, who contributes his talent to every meal. I dont know how we got along without him so long! He makes it all look so easy, and it always tastes incredible. The cafe he and Jennifer own is really doing well, I have been there a few times at noon and it is packed out. Im so happy that Texarkana Tx supports their business and keeps them growing. The above photo is my little Logan, he is growing up so fast! This was his 1950 look, love the hat! Below is my darling Jensen. He is my little man. Im convinced he looks just like me. Look at those fat little cheeks, yep they come from me! He is such a good baby and plays quietly, you hardly know he is around until it is time to eat. Then he sounds off quite loudly. I am very blessed to have them living close to me.

 I wont be able to post for a few weeks after today. I am taking a special independent study at the University to finish my BSN degree in August. Classes start Tuesday, so I will be tied up with school. We also sold our home last week and have to be moved out by June 22!! It is very short notice, but I can get it done. We made alot of progress yesterday and the movers will get the big stuff. Problem is, I have so much stuff! I really do not know why I have so many dishes. There are at least 4 different sets and many of them have all of the serving pieces etc. I have been trying to clear out some of my collection and give to the girls, but they can take only so much. The house we are moving into belongs to my husband and it had to have a total remodel. So in our spare time, we have been painting walls and cleaning it up. It has been sitting empty for a very long time. It is also stuck in a time warp of 1983 and really needed updates. I have had some new carpet and laminate floors installed a few months ago. The kitchen is the worst of all. The cabinets were still that light varnished look, but all worn out with ugly hardware and bright orange countertops! I never knew orange was in style. Trust me they are terrible! So my part of the deal, if I had to move into his house was a updated kitchen. Now I didnt go overboard at all. We painted the cabinets white, I added new hardware, bought a new gas stove and microwave combo and had the countertops refinished to 'look' like granite. The entire makeover was less than $2000.00 and it made a world of difference. The kitchen floors are still oak parquet which I would have love to replace, but I knew better than to ask. So I bought some new floor finish and 3 coats later it looks brand new! His house is about 1000 square feet smaller than this one, so I really have to cut the clutter and get creative with storage space. The bedrooms are tiny and all of my furniture is really large and bulky.  I am challenging myself to sell many things that I have hung on to for years. If I am not absolutely in love with a piece it has to go. One of my co-workers is coming over later today and buying 3 items from me, so feeling ok with that. They were not really special in any way. Well, got to get busy and cook breakfast. yall have a great week and will be back soon!

Zoe Jane

 Her tiny little feet, she is so precious and looks just like her beautiful mother! Jennifer and Bryan are trusting God for peace and know she will be waiting in heaven when they arrive.

In Memory Of Zoe Jane

We lost our little angel today

 Zoe Jane Ogburn

May 17,2012

Update

Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging messages. Jennifer had a doctor appoinment again today and has been admitted to the hospital. They are going to monitor her for a bit and check labs. She will be transferred to UAMS in Little Rock soon.

Needing Prayers!

Today we recieved some disturbing news that our daughter's unborn baby girl is in danger. She went to Little Rock for some tests and doctors told them the baby has a 20% chance of survival. If she makes it in the next 4 weeks, they will deliver her at 26 weeks gestation. As you can imagine we are devasted by this news and praying for a miracle! This is Jennifer's first baby and words cannot express how she is feeling right now. Please take a moment and send up a few prayers for our baby Zoe and our family. Thank you!

Simple Living

I grew up a farm girl and simple living just comes natural to me. I love to bake,sew and keep a garden. As time goes by I long for those days when I could stay at home and cook to my hearts content. Make a new outfit for one of my children out of my scrap stash, or grow some vegetables in the backyard. Life made it necessary that I must work and provide a living for the me and the children. Now that the kids are grown, I wish for those days again. At the time, I wished for an easier life and strived to make one for my family. I finally made it as far as careers go, and am very thankful for that opportunity.But I am now setting a new goal for my life and that is to let go, simplify, and gain back some of that satisfaction I once took for granted. Maybe Im getting old, but I think back more and more to the days I spent with my Granny and the stories she told of her life. She was constantly prepared for another depression to hit at any moment! I used to think how silly that was, now I see the wisdom in her words and preparations she had made. I work daily until I feel like I might drop, come home,cook dinner and go to bed and then do the same thing all over again the next day. I am constantly wishing for the weekends to arrive and realize that I wish away most of my life. Its time to take some of it back and learn to enjoy everyday that I have!

Simple Living My New Motto!

A Small Finish!

  Hope you are having a great weekend! I havent done much of anything except work on this quilt for the new grandbaby. I finally put my dresden quilt aside to start another project for a little while. Besides time is getting away from me and if I dont get busy on baby quilts, I wont have any made when she arrives! I made this using 3 charm packs of A Walk In The Woods. I love Little Red Riding Hood, so thought it would make such a cute quilt.

Well, have a birthday party to get ready for! Have a great day.

New Cookbooks

 I was so excited to find a copy of The Farmer'sWife cookbook at Sams last week! I could'nt wait to get home and find some free time to sit down and read through it.I have picked out a few recipes to try out this weekend.

  Gonna make some fresh strawberry shortcake using the Elvis pound cake recipe that I have. It is so good and sooo many calories. I see my my diet going out the window this week.

 I also picked up a copy of Pioneer Woman. This is her latest cookbook and has such wonderful recipes. If you have never been to her website take a moment to head over there and say hi!

 When I went out this morning my squash plants had blooms on them! Oh, I miss fresh squash! We planted 2 plants last year and had a glorious plenty, but planted four this time to share with the kids and people at work. My little 2x12 garden space is just right.

 I have repotted many of my plants and herbs in the past few weeks. The petunias are going crazy and was happy to see all of most of them coming back from last years pots. I planted some more cilatro and lavender this year. A few pepper plants and a tomato plant and I will be done.

Have a great weekend and enjoy this good weather!

This Is Love!

This little man has stolen my heart!

Ready to Quilt! Finally

 I know everyone is tired of this quilt top! I have been working on it since February and just finished the borders today. I really want to hand quilt this one, but it will take me forever to finish it. I am thinking I may take it to the church ladies to work on. They quilt for the public at a reasonable price.

I have several more projects in the works and that will free me up to finish them. This entire quilt is machine pieced, hand applique, 50 blocks, Ruby fabric. I really enjoyed the process and learned a few new skills!

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone has had a very blessed day and enjoyed their families today. My grandkids had an egg hunt this afternoon at my house. But it has been very quiet otherwise. My husband has been in Alabama all week hunting turkeys. So I have been sewing and cooking all weekend. I have really enjoyed the free time and a chance to get caught up on my chores. I still have not finished my quilts ,I decided to enlarge the Dresden plate to a queen size. I made 25 more blocks and just finished appliquing them today. I plan to finish sewing them all together this week and start quilting next weekend. Since I have 4 projects started and none of them finished. I am not going to allow myself to start anything else! It is so tempting to join in on all of the many projects out there in blogland! But with work and school it leaves me little time right now to work on my quilts. I am so amazed at the women who can post all of these projects every week. Well, maybe jealous is more like it, I would love to have enought time in my schedule to complete several projects a month.

Have a great week !