Yesterday's Goodwill Find!

After my mom's Dr. appointment yesterday, we stopped in Goodwill. I found a few more frames for stitcheries, but I found something that really surprised me.



A bedspread...It says Colonial Traditions (which confirmed why I liked it so) on the tag and it was just the size to use on either our bed or the guest bed. I put it on my bed just to take the picture so you could see it all spread out. Remember you can click on the pictures to see them up closer.



I don't know which bedroom will get a makeover first, but I could just envision it on either bed with a coverlet lying at the foot of the bed, and long homespun pillow shams at the top.



It is in mint condition. I mean there's not a pull, run, spot, or anything. It looks like it was never used. Even the cashier at Goodwill commented on what a lucky find it was and about the excellent condition of it.

Does anyone know anything about this design or pattern? It is hard to see in the pictures, but it has a big medallion in the middle. Along the border are flowers that sort of remind me of penny rug shaped flowers and tree shapes. Whatever it is, I'm excited that I happened to stroll through the linen section and spot it and for only $8.99!



So don't you think it's fair to tell Jason that it's time for a bedroom makeover? :) I'll tell him you said so! (I better not push my luck too much after the recent bathroom redo...that I'm still decorating by the way).

Have a great Thursday everyone! :)

Center of Attention

It was time for a new summery centerpiece for my kitchen table. Of course, it had to have an Americana flavor to it. I started looking around my house to see what I could come up with for free first. Actually, just about every part of it was free. The only thing new to this arrangement was the faux geraniums that I bought at Michael's at 40% off.



I used an old picnic basket. I don't know if you remember the wooden bucket I got at a flea market that had the fruit painted on it....but it is sitting inside the picnic basket holding the geraniums. I never got around to making it over, so I figured it would work as is for this little arrangement. I thought about tea dying the little American flag, but I'm just not sure I can actually stain the American flag! lol! (I might change my mind on this, but for now, I can't seem to do it). The Americana angel used to hang in my foyer. And the barn red homespun is actually a curtain (valance) folded and tucked in.



So that's my simple summery Americana centerpiece. I just love waking up in the morning and walking into my kitchen and seeing this every morning! I can never get enough Americana, so this always makes me smile!

Our Weekend Getaway

In spite of the weather, we were able to get away for our weekend with friends! The weather got a little scary here right before we left. I'm so sorry that Joy scared so many of you with the post on her blog! Can you tell how she feels about storms? Jason had gotten our computers for us, as we sat in the bathroom waiting it out. He was going in and out, checking on the weather. To answer someone's question, no, we don't have a basement. As a matter of fact, basements aren't very popular in homes in this area. I do wish we had a storm room though. If we ever build a home again, it will have a storm room built into it. Some friends of ours did that, and that's very nice to have! Anyway, we're fine. There was lots of water standing in our yard when we returned, and stuff blown everywhere. The pool was pretty yucky with leaves and debris, and some of my daddy's garden doesn't look so well, but our homes were fine and we we're fine. Thanks for the concern!

Now, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about our weekend! We drove down in the rain all the way and didn't get there until late, so we didn't do much of anything but talk and visit when we arrived. Betty always has brownies made (Jason and Joy's favorite) and has plenty of Diet Dew for me! :)

Betty is my friend that stitches all the time! Remember all those stitcheries she did and brought to me? I framed three of the stitcheries that she did and took them back to her. Here they are all painted and framed:



This one is for her sister!



The lemonade one will go in her kitchen. I love the cheery yellows of this!



But I guess this rooster had to be my favorite. Betty's kitchen is done in roosters, so it will look good in there. Of course, I'm partial to the reds in it too! The red frame matches her red cupboard in her kitchen.



I need to get to Goodwill and try to find more frames!

Saturday, the guys took Joy trout fishing, but she came home a little disappointed. There were so many canoers (partying canoers unfortunately), that the fish weren't biting. The place was just too busy. My daddy did catch one fish. She still was able to do a little "playing" in the river though.



Meanwhile, the ladies went shopping. The junk store really was a true junk store, and unfortunately, they were closed. There was a sign on the door saying they were gone to a graduation and wouldn't be back for a week.



Look at the name of this place. We thought it was unusual....and funny!



We did go in some other shops. The only thing I bought was this prim sheep.



I thought this picture of Mama and Betty in the big chair was cute and they gave me permission to show it....look at these two shopping chics!



That evening, we went back into town for dinner. We went to the same place we went last time. The food is really good. On the weekends, they have a band playing country music in the parking lot. Everyone brings their chairs and sits out and listens to the band. They have a place cleared for dancing. There were really only two different couples that really danced.



Notice Joy sitting there up front listening to the music. Well I knew that wouldn't last long.



Before too long, she was moving a little to the music. I remarked that if she ever got up the nerve, she'd be out there. Then the next thing I knew, Betty said, "There she goes...she's out there!"



And she did. She got out there and danced! I have no idea where she gets this because I don't like to do anything in front of a crowd that I don't have to. I guess it's from Jason. He's much more outgoing in front of a crowd than me. I have to get to know you first! :) Anyway, she had a great time and those people were just smiling as they watched! I guess she took to heart what I've always told her, "Dance like no one is watching!" :)

I wasn't able to get on the computer while we were there because Betty's computer was hit with a virus and going a little crazy. She has really missed her computer, but I just got word that her computer whiz nephew, Paul, helped her out and her computer is well now! So now she's telling me it's time to change my blog! :)

Saturday evening, the girls watched the movie, "Dreamer". I love that movie. I had seen it before and remembered liking it the first time. I think Dakota Fanning is just a little darling, and I've always loved Kurt Russell too. Our guys sat out on the porch, shooting the breeze, and enjoying the cooler evening weather (without mosquitoes).

Take a look at the "fur babies" there this weekend.

This is Taffy....Richard and Betty's baby. She's a bad to the bone Yorkie! She might look girly, but she's as tough as they come! She's now 9 years old and lived through many adventures!





This is Stinker....my mom and dad's baby. She's almost 8 years old. She has the sweetest disposition, especially for a chihuahua. She is quite spoiled!



And this is the newest member to Richard and Betty's family. She's the outdoor baby. Her name is Molly. We have no idea what kind of dog she is, although I think she has some German Shepherd in her. They went to Walmart shopping one day, and came home with Molly. Some people were giving dogs away in the parking lot! Molly and Joy got along really well this weekend!



Sunday was pretty much spent low key, around the house, because it had been raining. We headed on home later that afternoon. There had been more storms while we were gone and there was lots of water in the yard. My dad killed a snake. Snakes really seem to be bad here this year. Anyone else having lots of snakes in your area? Yuck! I don't like any kind of a snake! Jason found one lying across the motor of his truck this morning too and we think it might be a copperhead! I'm really paranoid now!

Oh, and today my dad dropped by and brought in our mail and my room spray came in that I ordered from Beth! She was so generous! She included an extra one. I ordered a cinnamon stick one and she also sent me a peach scent! I'm loving it! My house smells so good right now! Thank you, Beth! That was so sweet of you!



And that, my friends, is what we've been up to! I hope you all had a great weekend too, and that you have a wonderful week ahead and that you're safe in all the storms! :)

~ Tammy ~

An Americana Giveaway

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a great weekend! We're away at our friends' home in the foothills of the Ozarks having a great weekend!

I wanted to tell you about a giveaway you might be interested in entering, as well a wonderful blog. Cindy, over at Our Primitive Heart is giving away some cute primitive Americana goodies! Click over to her blog and check it out!



I'm really, really loving all the Americana I see everywhere. It just reminds me why I ever decorated with it in the first place! It just makes me happy! I just love it!

Have a great Saturday, everyone! :)

Faithful Fridays & a Weekend Getaway

It's hard for me to believe that it's already Friday again. Where did this week go? A week goes by and I never seem to accomplish what I planned on accomplishing! Maybe it's because I procrastinate.....I need to do better!



Being Friday, it's time again for me to share with you through Faithful Fridays with Joy how God has been faithful in my life or the life of my friends or loved ones. The first one I have to share just because I'm so excited is that.......Donna of Never-So-Simple had a huge answer to prayer! I know I've been praying for her, as many of you have. She got the job for which she interviewed and will start the job next week. As I told her, I can't help but think how she blessed Joy and I this week with the goodies and God has blessed her with this job. God works like that, you know! Anyway, I'm so happy for this answered prayer for Donna! Yay! Woo-Hoo! PTL!

Second of all, I guess because it's just that time of year, when we venture out more and notice all the beauty around us with the flowers, trees, birds and other creations,....that God took the time to create all of this things in perfect order and then created us to care for and enjoy these beautiful creations!

I told you that we were finished with school for the summer, and for the most part, we are. However, we are taking part in a summer Botany class, using the Apologia's Elementary Botany course, Exploring Creations with Botany (which I highly recommend by the way).



We read and study on our own and do some of the experiments at home and keep an ongoing Botany notebook. Then twice a month on Fridays, we meet with other homeschooling children, and fellow homeschooling moms/teachers Kim and Jane, who elaborate with hands-on activities and projects. Anyway, through this reading and paying closer attention to the details of God's creation, I've come to appreciate God's beautiful creations, all the more!

It's amazing how God created and equipped each species with it's own special things it needs to survive. Have you ever dissected a flower or stopped to realize how each flower is pollinated? Bees decide each day what type of flower they'll pollinate that day and God designed it that way to ensure that species of flower will continue and be pollinated. How can one NOT BELIEVE in our Creator....God who took the time to give these details to every living thing? And God created things in the order they needed to be created in order for them to survive. It's just an awesome God we serve!

My hibiscus bloomed out so beautifully this morning:



That brings me to the words of an old hymn that I've always thought was beautiful: This is my Father's World. I'd like to share that with you today: (Verses 1 & 2):

This is my Father's world, And to my listening ears,
All nature sings, and round me rings, The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world, I rest me in the thought,
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hands the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world, The birds their carols raise;
The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world, He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

**********************************************************************************

And finally, this weekend, we are going to enjoy a little getaway to our friends, Betty and Richard's home again! I always look forward to my visits there. My mom and dad are going along too. Jason, Joy, my daddy, and Richard are going trout fishing. Joy is very excited about this and has been waiting to go for some time now! My mama, Betty, and I will be doing our own thing.....a little shopping! Betty has found a couple of "junk" stores that she thinks are right up my alley, so I can't wait! Then we are going to have a dinner and after dinner, there will be a singing out on the premises where everyone brings their lawn chairs and enjoys the music! See why I love this simple pace of life? I think I must crave it! It's probably a sign that we stay WAY too busy! :) I'm looking forward to a fun filled, yet restful weekend with my family and friends!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend too! And remember if you'd like to share something God has done for you...how he's been faithful to you and your family, we'd love to hear about it. Click over to Joy's blog and let her know in a comment, so we can visit! :)

Blessings!
~ Tammy ~

Are We Nerds or What?

I guess this picture says it all! The three of us....Jason, Joy, and me sitting on the deck last night after supper, with our laptops (well that was my seat with the laptop in the chair)....doing what we do on our laptops......me reading blogs and emails, Jason actually working from home, and Joy playing games.



It was nice while it lasted....a little breeze by the pool....until the mosquitoes decided to visit.



Then we moved inside to the sunporch.....







Life is good! :)

A Special Windmill

There is just something about windmills that I love. I've always loved them ever since I can remember. I love the big towering ones in the fields on farms and even the smaller ones backyard style. I guess they just say country to me.....and well....I think you know by now how I feel about country!

I don't have a windmill myself, but my daddy does. And my daddy lives next door. He's had his windmill for quite awhile. It's not one of the big towering ones, but it's a fairly good sized one. I remember when he first purchased it. It was silver with barn red trim. I loved it then, and I love it now!



Daddy has always put his windmill in a spot where both of us can see if from our windows. There's rarely a day that goes by that I don't stop by the window and look out to see which way the wind blows. Which way the wind is blowing is not all that important to me as much as it is just being able to "know it" from one glance. I love that! Now there are times, when it's nice to know when a cold north wind is blowing in or a southern wind storm is blowing in, but for the most part, I just enjoy watching it tirelessly and carelessly turn in the breeze. Maybe it makes me feel like I'm on a farm or living in Little House on the Prairie....I don't know...I just love that feeling!



My daddy's windmill is not just any windmill though....it's special. As the grandkids have been born, he's added their names to it. For years, it said Trey and Colt. Later he added Kemper and Joy to the the oldest boys' names. Then Laci came along at the tail end of the grandkids, bringing the grandtotal to five. So here's what the windmill looks like now:



And the very last paint job that the well loved windmill received was John Deere colors! Daddy painted it all and brought it over for me to paint the names on for him. I was glad to do it!



Daddy's windmill is a peaceful,comforting, and simple pleasure that brings me much happiness. Does anyone else out there share my love for windmills? :)