Sugar Spice and Southern Life

Dresden Plate

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

Dresden plate quilt blocks are so popular right now on many quilting sites. The block has always been one of my favorite designs. I began mine last Fall and just put the center on it yesterday! I decided on the cherry fabric for the center of mine. I hope to get more done soon!

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs has a free pattern on her site and has formed the Scrappy Plate Club. A great way to use up scraps! Although mine is not made with scraps I have bins full of leftover scraps. I so need to use them! :)

I have one more border on another quilt top I have been working on forever! I will take pics and post it as soon as I get it finished and pressed really well.

And then there's Tiny Town I am working on! I like to have an applique project in progress along with a pieced top so when I am watching television I have some handwork to do.

That's all for now ... gotta do some organizing of scrapbook supplies!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Donna

Finally ... I Made Something

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

Before I get to what I finally made ... I have been having issues with blogger! I haven't been able to leave comments on other blogs. It would go to a blank page. I read on other blogs that they were having the same problem. Finally I emailed a sweet blogging friend and she told me to install Google Chrome and it worked! Thank you sweet blogging friend :)

Now to something I finally made!

Last week I was in a gift shop and spotted some hand towels made from osnaberg with printed images. They were $18 a piece. They were adorable with a fork, knife and spoon on them. I didn't have a need for kitchen hand towels. It was the only design they had and I wanted something different.

(I love to go in gift shops for inspiration!)

I knew I already had the permanent press osnaberg fabric at home along with the transfer paper to print the images I wanted to use. I went to the Graphics Fairy blog and downloaded the images. I could look at her blog all day long!

Here's my hand towels.

I adore cloches and I had to use the image with the potted plants. I also have a small collection of crowns (not real ones LOL) so of course I had to have a crown! The shop's towels were pleated along the border instead of a ruffle so I pleated my edges as well.

Here's a better pic of the images I used. I have a cloche like the same shape as the one used so now I need to fill mine with little potted plants! I will use the crown one in another room.

The best thing about these ... they didn't cost me a thing! I had everything in my sewing room so I saved $36!! (I wouldn't have paid that much anyway) They did take a couple of hours to make by the time I downloaded the images, pressed them on (it takes a few minutes for each one), made the pleats and hemmed all around the edges. But at this point in my life I have more time than money!! I needed to get busy doing something anyway :)

I have been working on my tiny town quilt I posted earlier this week and it is adorable! I will share more of it with you next week.

I now have a Valentine wreath I am going to make this weekend. I can't wait to start it!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Linda at Coastal Charm for weekly NTT.

I Can't Get Motivated!

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-06:00

I just can't seem to get motivated this year. After the holidays I always dread the cold dreary days of January. I don't even have much to post about :(

I have been working s-l-o-w-l-y on this project I started last week that I posted in the previous post. I do enjoy cutting and placing the little bitty pieces of fabric on my little tiny village. The picture shows one block ready to be stitched and the smaller one above has another piece to be added. And of course there's plenty of hand embroidery to add to each piece. The fabrics do make me happy ... they are so cheerful!

Before Christmas I won this wonderful book that Sweet Bee Cottage was giving away. I received it a couple of days before Christmas and with the holidays I never really had a chance to look at it until after Christmas. It is full of ideas and vintage images. So much fun to look through! Thank you Sweet Bee for drawing my name!

I hope to get out of this slump soon and get back to decorating. I have pillows to make, a lampshade to cover and tea towels I saw in a specialty boutique that I want to make ... so many things to do if I could only get motivated!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

New Year ... New Project

2012-01-06T13:54:00.000-06:00

I do not need to begin another project! But with the new year here I need something different to work on during the dreary winter days of January. Machine applique has always been my favorite thing so this is my new project. It has been sitting in my sewing room for months now.

It's a kit I bought last year at my local quilt shop during a 30% off sale. It's called "Tiny Town" by Bunny Hill Designs. The sample that was hanging in the shop was adorable. I love all the colors used in the quilt. It's a tiny town with all types of houses and buildings ... everything you would find in a town. I will show you my progress as I work on each block. I can't wait to get started!

I did finish a baby gift this morning ... a receiving blanket, burp cloths and and two embroidered bibs. At least I can say I have accomplished something this year!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T12:03:00.002-06:00

I hope the new year brings us all peace and happiness.

Hugs,

Donna

Quick Update

2011-12-28T22:40:00.002-06:00

We had a very quiet Christmas this year. As I have written in previous posts the last few weeks my mother-in-law has been very ill and passed away Tuesday, the 27th. She was not expected to live much longer over a month ago but she did make it through Christmas unaware of her surroundings. Her funeral will be tomorrow.

I was sick most of the holidays with a virus and bronchitis. I am feeling better now. Most of my plans for last week were cancelled :( My friends and I finally got together yesterday and we shared stories and caught up with each other. Friends always make things better!

I hope to be back next week with a more upbeat post and share some new projects!

Hugs,
Donna

The Stockings Were Hung ....

2011-12-24T06:30:00.000-06:00

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ... I love this poem!

This is the mantle and huge fat tree in our family room. This is where we spend our time watching television or at the computer desk.

The tree is loaded with ornaments I have made over the years. We bought this tree in 1983 the year we built our house. Everyone thinks it is real! It is so well made and soo full. It is not pre-lit so I have to string the hundreds of light on it!

Looking up to the picture above the fireplace. I use colored lights in this room and lots of them!

All the stockings are hung with the exception of my SIL's ... ooops!

Actually I am hand stitching it and did not get it completed. Maybe after Christmas!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Hugs,

Donna

More Christmas Around the House

2011-12-23T11:05:00.002-06:00

My dining room tree with all types of cooking and baking ornaments.

Vintage looking couple all ready for Christmas

Small wreaths tied on the back of the dining room chairs.

Cupcake wreath I made last year on the pantry door.

I made this wreath with things I had leftover from other projects.

I am sorry I have not been around to visit my blogging friends. I came down with a "bug" while in Nashville last weekend :( I did get to see the Rockettes at the Grand Ole Opry and visit ICE.

I am finally feeling better today!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Christmas in the Piano Room

2011-12-19T13:05:00.000-06:00

My Christmas tree in the piano room. I took this picture at night. Lots of gold on this tree and tons of ornaments!

I posted the mantle here.

Cedar chest display.

The ornaments under the glass were from our first Christmas tree thirty-four years ago. My sweet little deer are paper mache I painted and glittered.

More ornaments in a candle holder.

My mother's glasses and my grandfather's watch ... treasures!

The top of the piano with more of Amber's snow village.

The gold ornaments were my mother-in-laws.

And you can't have Christmas without an angel! I have collected Precious Moments for years. I've had this angel for over fifteen years. She stays out all year long. She doesn't get packed away in a box. She just makes me smile :)

I have a busy week ahead. My girlfriends from high school are coming to my house on Wednesday to eat and share a few laughs.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for TTT.

Christmas Apron

2011-12-15T10:27:00.000-06:00

I adore this Christmas apron made from a vintage tablecloth. Cindy from Retro Revival made this cutie for a giveaway and I won!

Notice how she placed the candles, holly and candy canes for the apron! She makes the most adorable aprons and shower caps. You have to go visit her blog. So delightful!

I wanted to have my husband take a pic of me wearing it but it hasn't happened yet. His mother has been very sick and he hasn't been here much (at the hospital).

So I put it on my dress stand.

I adore vintage linens and this is definitely a treasure to me. I will wear it while baking and hope I don't get anything on it :)

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Kitchen Hutch Decked for Christmas

2011-12-14T18:10:00.000-06:00

My hutch in the kitchen is decked out for Christmas with all things baking

My yellow bowl filled with greenery and my grandmother's old egg beater and sifter. I can only imagine the cakes she mixed with these old utensils.

Little gingerbread people popping out of cherry embellished teapots. They are actually ornaments.

I love my vintage cookie cutters. An elderly lady gave them to my girls when they were little and I have always adored them. Love the green and red wood handles. Perfect for Christmas!

What's Christmas without gingerbread?

Another mixing bowl filled with greenery, candy canes and a star cookie cutter. I found these cute little frolicking snowmen at Belk this year on sale. I wanted the cookie jar that goes with them but too much money!

Now I am hungry for cookies. I hope to do some baking in the next couple of days.

I won the cutest apron to wear while baking. I will share it in my next post.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Amber's Christmas Tree

2011-12-13T07:30:00.000-06:00

The first Christmas after Amber went to Heaven I decorated her room with her Christmas tree. She chose all her ornaments ... there are snow angels. snowflakes, stars and gold balls. I decorated it in her room the last two years but decided to use it in the family room this year where we could all enjoy it!

She had bought all these little houses ... whoops there is a tree leaning on the right side! They are tea light holders from Yankee Candle.

I found the angel wing votive holder this year ... love it! The angel was from the first Christmas without her here with us. Angels for an angel!

I just grouped some of the village around her tree. I used gold material to reflect off the white lights to make it appear magical.

Here is a roly poly snowman! He is adorable ... they all are. I have used more of this collection in another room I will post later.

I hope you enjoyed seeing Amber's tree that she loved and chose for herself. I love taking the pieces out of the boxes and the memories :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Marty's A Stroll Thru Life TTT.

Christmas Mantle

2011-12-11T18:46:00.000-06:00

I have finished decorating the mantle in the room I have been "making over". I finally got my drapes made for the large window where the Christmas tree stands. We call this room the piano room for lack of a better name. There is no computer, no television or phone in this room. The piano I played on as a young girl is in this room. My girls played it too. I call it "my" room. :)

The glow of the white lights make the mantel shimmer at night. The stockings I made about sixteen years ago are satin and lace. There is a large gold butterfly hanging down in the middle. I didn't take a pic of it.

White poinsettias and large gold ornaments deck the mantle.

The only thing I added this year are the wooden trees. I bought them after Christmas several years ago for $2 each. They were white and distressed. I repainted them vintage white, added a little gold tinting and sprinkled diamond dust. (I didn't know I was using diamond dust until I cut my finger! I had purchased it at Hobby Lobby thinking it was white glitter.) I love the sparkly look of them now ... much more Christmasy.

I will share pics of my tree soon!

Thank you for all your kind comments in my last post. They mean the world to me! The holidays are very difficult for my family.

My mother-in-law has been very ill too. She has been in and out of the hospital for several weeks now. She has lived a long life ... she is nearly 86 years old. She may be greeted by Amber in Heaven soon...

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Linda at Coastal Charm for NTT.

A Little Christmas

2011-12-09T15:08:00.001-06:00

I am so slow this year with my Christmas decorating. I am having trouble this year even making little decisions with my decorating. I decorate something, not happy with it and redo it ... ugh!

The holidays seem so stressful this year!

This is a little snowman I bought this year. I went very simple with this arrangement. I stuck him in a pot of greenery and added a small strand of white lights so he glows at night. I have him at the front door under a mirror to greet guests. (I had to stoop way down to take the picture so I would not capture myself. It would be a scary picture today.)

I always try to be upbeat on my blog despite missing Amber. The holidays are the hardest. My husband and I placed Amber's tree at her headstone today. Needless to say it was decorated with snowmen :)

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Let It Snow Village

2011-12-05T11:47:00.001-06:00

My little snow village I decorate with each year on top of the entertainment center in our family room is finally in place. The houses and trees are all candles. I have never lit them and don't plan to! Smoke alarms would be going off galore! The candles all came from Pottery Barn over several years. They were gifts and some I purchased after Christmas.

All the little snow people I collected years ago at a local shop near here. Such cute little details.

(I have a new camera this year so I can capture all the little details)

This little snowlady with her purple stocking makes me smile :)

This snowlady is one of my favorites with her pearls and purse. Love her winter white!

They have lots of purple accents and one of them is an angel!

Little snowman with it's snowman pail is snow delightful!

I usually leave this display a couple of weeks after Christmas since it is really not Christmasy ... just a snow village.

We had a White Christmas last year so this year who knows!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for her weekly Tabletop Tuesday.

Christmas Wreath

2011-12-01T14:01:00.000-06:00

I have been busy working on a new Christmas wreath for my front door. I was tired of the old one and decided to get out all my deco mesh and ribbons and get busy!

This is the final wreath! I have tweaked this wreath so much I am just glad it's finished. I couldn't decide which ribbons to use or if I should add green. I can't seem to make decisions these days ... must be the holidays!

(I cropped this picture until I couldn't see myself in the reflection) LOL

Now I am going to work on my garland around the door and the trees on both sides. I just hope I can decide what to do with it before Christmas!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch's Met Monday and Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.

Snowlady Pillow

2011-11-28T18:48:00.001-06:00

While straightening up my sewing room a couple of weeks ago I found this cross-stitched snowlady from 2002. I wouldn't have believed it was that long ago if not for the date being stitched on it! Amber loved snowmen and of course the color purple :) I had been very sick a few months before and to keep myself busy while sitting around connected to an oxygen machine I stitched it!

The snowlady was never framed so I decided to make a pillow. I tried several fabrics to coordinate with the colors and was about to give up when unexpectedly while in Joann's in Birmingham a couple of weeks ago I found THE fabric! I was just glancing at the fabrics and there was this cute snowflake print with all the right colors! (I just took the pics and I don't have the greatest lighting at night.)

So here she is all completed! I made it for less than five dollars ... backing, stuffing and fabric. I also made the piping from cord I already had on hand. That's the great thing about knowing how to sew is making something for a few dollars.

Here is a closeup of her! Look at those high heel shoes and purple accents! Amber loved purses (that was HER obsession).

She is really not Christmasy so I can leave her out during the winter months and reflect back on when I sat and stitched this little cutie! In fact this may have been the last thing I have cross-stitched.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my little snowlady pillow! I really need to give the snowlady a name :)

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Linda at Coastal Charm for her NTT party.

Christmas Giveaway at A Gathering Place

2011-11-27T21:33:00.001-06:00

Rebecca at A Gathering Place is having a giveaway over at her gorgeous blog. She is giving away a vintage train case. I would so love to win this gorgeous case to store some of Amber's special treasures! I can imagine putting her baby shoes, some of the items she made me and the book she was reading before she went to Heaven in it.

I recently ordered some of Rebecca's gorgeous Christmas notecards and received them in a couple of days. They are more gorgeous in person than her website shows! She included an extra special card also that brightened my day. She is a lovely person and I love reading her blog just to see all her beautiful creations.

If you are looking for something shabby chic hop on over and check out her blog and website. Her stockings she makes are spectacular as well!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Giving Thanks

2011-11-26T19:04:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was very low key this year. I cooked and we ate well. I even learned to use my husband's electric smoker to smoke the turkey! Only out of necessity.

My mother-in-law has not been doing well the last few months. To make a long story short we got a call early Thanksgiving morning that she was sick and was being taken from assisted living to the hospital. She is 85 years old and has lived a blessed life with five children. Needless to say my sweet husband spent most of Thanksgiving with his mother. He came home to share our meal with our little family. Jennifer, her husband and I spent Thanksgiving night visiting "Granny".

I am just so thankful for the wonderful man I have been married to for thirty-four years. As I sit here tonight he is at the hospital sitting with her. Sweet man!

Now I am going to try to decorate for Christmas. My Christmas angel is the first thing I bring out for the holidays every year. I have had her for years ...Jennifer bought her for me. An angel bought an angel!

I give thanks for the readers who read my blog and the wonderful friends I have made in the last couple of years.

I am trying to update my blog with the help of a sweet friend I met through blogging. Didn't she make the cutest header! I will tell who she is when I make sure she approves! Just want to get her okay :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Donna

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T12:59:00.001-06:00

The holidays were changed forever for my little family when Amber went to Heaven. We will always miss her at our Thanksgiving table.

Our last Thanksgiving with her we spent in Nashville for "A Country Christmas". I have so many pictures from those few days that I look at often. Pictures of her and Jennifer ... always my little girls in my heart.

Of course when we came home from Nashville I cooked Thanksgiving lunch on Friday. She would always request "mommy made" macaroni and cheese ... made from scratch! She always called it "mommy made". Nothing out of the box for her. It reminds me of the night we took her to the hospital. That day for lunch I had made "mommy made" mac and cheese :) What memories my heart holds and forever will. My little family will never be the same.

Today would have been my mother's 80th birthday. I can only imagine the Thanksgiving celebration in Heaven with Amber and my mother!

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and tell your loved ones "I love you"!

God Bless,

Donna

Christmas Ornament Winner!

2011-11-22T07:39:00.000-06:00

The winner of my Christmas ornament is Marilyn!

I used Random Generator and number 19 was Marilyn's comment. I will email you Marilyn for your address.

I could probably have a giveaway every week with something I have made, however I want to give whatever I am giving away to everyone that enters! And I wish I really could! Thank you all for entering.

There are tutorials online that you can watch or download on how to make the ornaments. Also tutuorials are available to purchase on Etsy for making the ornaments.

If I have time before Christmas I will see if I can make time to sit and put another one together for another giveaway. They are very time consuming but I enjoy making them!

I will post soon about ornaments I made for myself last year and let you see other color choices also.

Thank you all for entering and I wish I could send you each an ornament!

Big Hugs,

Donna

Finally My Chair(s) Makeover

2011-11-20T20:18:00.001-06:00

I have two chairs that were my mother's she had purchased for her living room in the 1970's. It was a formal living room but rarely used ... just pretty to look at. The chairs were still in very good shape ... they were never sat in! After my mother passed away in 1981 my dad had closed off the living room and the chairs sat for years unused. A couple of years ago my dad passed away and I brought the chairs home and they sat in my garage for two years. I finally decided I would use them in this room (I posted here and here) that I am making over. This room has taken forever!

Here is one of the chairs before. The lovely olive green with gold that was popular back then. This picture makes them look better than they were :)

Finally I got the chairs back yesterday and I love the new look! I chose a cream fabric since I want to use all natural colors in my "new" room. I have enough fabric to make cushions or perhaps a tree skirt for my Christmas tree I use in this room.

I have two end tables that match the french provincial style also. I now have to decide which one to use ... either a drum table or the square table she had between them. They both have marble inserts in the top. I will try them both to see which one I like the best.
I finally found THE fabric last week I was looking for to use for drapes. Isn't it funny how you go searching for a certain something and can't find what you want. And then one day I was in Birmingham (not looking for drapery fabric) walking in a store and there the fabric was! Now I have to get at least one window made before my Christmas tree goes up next weekend in this room. I have a busy week ahead with lots of sewing. I will be so glad to get this room finished!
Thanks for visiting!
Hugs,
Donna

I am linking up to Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday.

My Singer Featherweight

2011-11-17T10:19:00.001-06:00

I love my little Singer Featherweight sewing machine. I purchased it two years ago and I rarely sew on it but I know it is here if I need it. It sews great! I often wonder when I look at it who owned the machine before me and if they made quilts or clothing. If only it could talk! The serial number on mine when I researched says it was produced around 1957. This little thing is older than me!

Many quilters take their featherweights to quilt retreats because they are so light weight. It only weighs a few pounds. The machines came with their own little black case for carrying. I was fortunate that mine has all the accessories with it.

Right now I have mine sitting on top of my grandmother's treadle sewing machine in my sewing room. I have several sewing machines from over the years but this little jewel makes me happy.

Technology is amazing and how far it has come over the years. When I look at my Bernina sewing machine and look at this one it makes me smile!

If you haven't entered my ornament giveaway click here or the picture in my sidebar and it will link you up!

I have had several questions and emails on how to make the ornaments. You can research online and find instructions or there are tutorials that can be purchased on Etsy.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Christmas Ornament Giveaway

2011-11-14T21:28:00.000-06:00

Finally here is the Christmas ornament I will be giving away for someone to hang on their tree this year. Although these are very time consuming I love making them. In a previous post I mentioned I made many last year to give as gifts. I love handmade gifts and appreciate the time that goes into making them.

If you would like to win the ornament just leave me a comment. If you follow my blog leave me a second comment telling me you follow my blog. You can enter the giveaway until next Monday, November 21st and I will announce the winner on Tuesday the 22nd. If you are not a blogger please make sure I have your email. The winner will have it in time to hang on their tree!

*I have had several comments asking questions and I can't reply to them because the blogger comes up as "no reply". You can go to the dashboard and update your profile by checking the email reply box. It is very simple! I apologize if you have asked me questions .... I just didn't have an email to respond to.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Delicious Apple Pie

2011-11-10T11:02:00.000-06:00

I have made this apple pie every Thanksgiving since I found the recipe about 10 years ago ... it's yummy any time of the year! I made one just this week.

The pie is usually piled higher with apples but I kept eating them as I sliced :)

Crunchy Carmel Apple Pie

Ingredients for the Pie

1 pastry crust for a deep-dish pie 9-inch (homemade or store-bought - I like Mrs. Smith's)

1/2 cup sugar

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples (golden delicious and fuji apples were recommended)

1 recipe crumb topping (see below)

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup caramel topping

Ingredients for the Crumb Topping

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup quick cooking rolled oats

1/2 cup butter

Directions for the Crumb Topping

Directions for Crumb Topping: 1. Stir together brown sugar, flour, rolled oats.

2. Cut in 1/2 cup butter until topping is like course crumbs. Set aside.

Directions for the Pie

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt.

2. Add apple slices and gently toss until coated.

3. Transfer apple mixture to the pie shell (I remove the store-bought pie shell from the aluminum pie plate and transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate of my own, but you do not have to.)

4. Sprinkle crumb topping over apple mixture.

5. Place pie on a cookie sheet so the drippings don't drop into your oven.

6. Cover edges of pie with aluminum foil.

7. Bake in a preheated 375 oven for 25 minutes. Then remove foil and put back in for another 25 to 30 minutes without foil.

8. Remove from oven. Sprinkle pie with chopped pecans then drizzle with caramel on top.

9. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

I am still working on my ornaments and will post them hopefully tomorrow for a giveaway. This week has not gone as I had planned ... does life ever go as planned?

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

*Kathleen ... you asked me a question in my post about the ornaments and I couldn't reply ... came up with a no reply blogger. If you leave me another message with your email I will get back with you!

Book Review ... Longing

2011-11-06T12:55:00.001-06:00

I was honored to be chosen to do a book review for my favorite Christian author ... Karen Kingsbury. Amber got me hooked on her books years ago. We have every book she has written. Believe me after you read one of Karen's books you can't wait for the next one!

Longing is part of a series of books that she has written over the years. I received the book from her office on Thursday and read it in two days. I just couldn't put it down! Now I have to wait until March of 2012 for the release of the next and final book in this series. If you are looking for a good read you can go to karenkingsbury.com and see a list of all her books. She is a true Christian woman that has a God given talent for writing.

She was always so kind to Amber and spoke about Amber at the last EWomen's conference Jennifer and I attended. Needless to say we were both in tears. I posted about Amber and Karen in this post.

I emailed Karen's office to see if I could share her book on my blog and of course she said yes! It will be in stores on November 22. If you are looking for good wholesome books just read one of Karen's and you will be like me waiting on the next one!

Blessings,

Donna

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

2011-11-03T17:18:00.000-05:00

Christmas trees will be going up before long. Mine doesn't go up until the day after Thanksgiving. I was listening to the news today and they were discussing how Thanksgiving seems to be forgotten. My sister said the other day her neighbors were having their outside lights put up for the holidays! I know in years past I have seen Christmas trees in windows the day after Halloween. I love Thanksgiving!

I try to work on Christmas crafts in the months leading up to the holidays. However the past month I have been sick with a little bit of everything and I am so far behind! (If I haven't replied to your comments or visited your blogs please forgive me) I began decorating for Fall and half my pumpkins and decorations are still sitting in their box here in our floor :) I just put them up today thinking next year I will get them back out. I am finally feeling better today and I am so thankful!!

Here is what I am working on this weekend ... Christmas ornaments! I love making these and made lots of them last year for myself and for gifts.

So this weekend I will be making one for a giveaway. So come back next week and I will have the details.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,

Donna

Fall Cloche Party

2011-10-31T16:40:00.000-05:00

I am joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for her Fall Cloche Party. I know she will have gorgeous cloches to share with you.

I love cloches and change them out for the seasons. I never knew what the glass domes were called until I began reading aout them on blogs.

This one is on top of the entertainment center.

I have this cloche on and end table with a sunflower plate as the base for my pumpkins. I love white pumpkins. Sorry about the glare from the window.

This is probably my favorite with the little bird on top.

When I took this picture I didn't realize until I downloaded it that the sunflower plate behind it lines up with the sunflower in the cloche.

Here is a picture of the cloche on my kitchen counter.

I have several metal cloches but I didn't get them out to decorate for Fall.

I did post a couple of other tiny cloches here in my kitchen a couple of weeks ago.

Thank you for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

From Dress to Pillow

2011-10-25T19:22:00.001-05:00

I have often seen pillows being made from sweaters and other clothing items on other blogs. When I spotted this dress of Jennifer's in the donate pile I thought why not make a pillow. It was a sorority dress from her college years. I always loved this dress and the fabric.

It was dry clean only but I threw it in the washer and here it is after being washed and dryed. Wrinkled ... but it ironed great.

This is my new little pillow I made with the fabric from the dress. It's not very big ... just an accent pillow. I had a few leftover scraps and made a rosette to go on it. By the time I cut out the pillow and made the cording I had very little fabric left. It was fun to make and I will always have memories of Jennifer wearing it.

I forgot to show a couple of blocks I made for this post a couple of weeks ago. I received the sweetest note from John'aLee thanking me for the blocks. God Bless our soldiers and their families.

Well I am back to my sewing room. I have a baby gift to make and I need to make a few Christmas gifts. I can't believe Christmas is two months away!

My how time flies.

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs,

Donna

The Forgotten Quilt ...

2011-10-21T13:26:00.000-05:00

It's been a week since I posted. I have been the sickest I have been in years ... ugh! I've had an upper respiratory infection and hopefully I am now on the mend!

Last week before I began feeling bad I found these Christmas quilt blocks that I began in 2007! It was a block of the month from my local quilt shop. I had it all packed away with about twenty more smaller blocks.

I took just a few pictures of the bigger blocks.

I now have the instructions in front of me on how to finish it. The center block has an appliqued Christmas tree block that I hadn't started. I know I won't have it completed by Christmas but hey at least I found it! :)

Maybe I will feel like sewing this weekend.

I am now going to try to catch up on my blog reading!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Wagon Full of Pumpkins

2011-10-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

I have always wanted a wagon to fill with flowers. When Hobby Lobby had this one back in the Spring I had to bring it home with me. Well to be honest my husband was not to keen about me buying a wagon! I think he likes it now :)

My little wagon was filled during the summer months with blooming flowers in the back yard. I pulled it around to the front yard and began filling it with pumpkins and mums for Fall. I stood my little scarecrow girl with her purple flower on her hat behind it. And of course I had to add a few sunflowers!

You know I had to have purple mums!

Love the different colored pumpkins

and gourds.

I love the shape of this one. Reminds me of Cinderella's carriage!

I may not have a pumpkin patch but I do have a wagon full of pumpkins!

I love this time of year. We had rain yesterday and there are leaves covering our back yard. I walked through them yesterday and I love the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. I wonder who will rake them?

I hope you all have a wonderful Fall weekend. I may just go to a Fall Festival!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Fall in the Kitchen

2011-10-10T15:54:00.001-05:00

We have had beautiful weather here in the South. Although it is partly cloudy here today we've had the most gorgous blue skies the last few days.

I packed up my summer items for the kitchen and added some Fall touches to my kitchen countertops.

I just filled my Butler's Pantry pitcher with sunflowers, changed out the plate to a pumpkin one and added the cloches.

Little cloche filled with tiny pumpkins and sunflowers.

I had some orange gingham ribbon and tied around the tops ...

On the other side of the kitchen I have a sunflower plate, soup tureen and a teapot for Fall.

And my little turkey sitting on a pumpkin.

Thanksgiving will be here soon!

My MIL recently moved into an assisted living facility and she gave my husband a set of these luncheon plates and cups. My hubby knew I would like them. Believe me he could care less! Dishes are not his thing :) She said they came in washing detergent years ago. I did some research online but no luck so far.

If you have any idea what brand or where they did come from I would love to know. She's had them for years. I am going to display them in my kitchen hutch.

That's it for today. I have been trying to sew but have been sick the last few days. It's funny how you go to the doctor, get an antibiotic and it makes you sicker ... UGH!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Edited: Another blogger friend emailed me and let me know the dishes are thumbprint glass. Thanks Debbie!

I am joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday. She always has the most gorgeous vignettes.

Coffee Table Centerpiece

2011-10-03T16:34:00.034-05:00

My coffee table centerpiece for Fall.

I have a large silver platter (it measures at least 24 inches) I purchased at an estate sale last year for just a few dollars. I filled it with pumpkins, sunflowers, acorns, and all things Fall. Actually I just kept piling on the pumpkins!

I added a feathered pheasant ...

Whoops! Another "friend" decided she wanted in on the pic!

Large sunflowers and small ones too ...

She just wouldn't let me take pics!

Actually the kitty hasn't bothered the arrangement ... she just wanted her pic taken! :)

I was going to post "Fall" in the kitchen but it will be in another post ... I have a furry friend in my lap! Gotta love the furbabies :)

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

I am linking up to Linda at Coastal Charm and Marty's Table Top Tuesday.

It's Fall Y'all

2011-09-28T13:36:00.001-05:00

I have been decorating the table at the front door for Fall. I brought several boxes up from the basement and began trying to make the house cozy for the cooler days we are having.

I am still tweaking the table ... are you ever really satisfied? I never am!

My sweet Jim Shore bunny Amber gave me the last Mother's Day before she went to Heaven :) He now holds his fall bounty basket. He is actually a garden statue but there is no way I am putting him in my yard! He keeps an eye on me all the time.

Sunflower tealight I found at Cracker Barrel. The house smells yummy!

On top of the entertainment center ... gotta have Jennifer with her hubby! I made the little pumpkin topiary. I used a little flower pot, painted it black inserted the pumpkin on a stick and added the leaves and berries. Simple!

And here is Amber. If you read my blog I have shared with you that she loved sunflowers :) Jennifer and I were in Yankee Candle last week and we both purchased the little harvest girl sitting to the right. I should have gotten a closeup pic of her ... adorable!

The little pumpkin girl to the left of her picture is one like I have on her headstone.

Of course she has sunflowers in the vase! I was having a "blah" day yesterday (more than usual). When I went yesterday to the cemetery I began looking around and there were so many sunflowers in other vases. It was like she was telling me "Mommy ... smile"!

Now I am headed out to the front yard to try to arrange the pumpkins Jennifer and I bought at a Pumpkin Patch Party we went to on Saturday. Loved the party Melinda if you read this!

And thank you to Linda at Coastal Charm for featuring my bench makeover on her wonderful blog!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Fall is Finally Here!

2011-09-23T12:55:00.001-05:00

First ... let me thank you for the comments on the bench and cedar chest we painted in an earlier post this week. It took me forever to decide to paint the pieces and I am so glad I did! Life is too short to not be surrounded by things you really like. So why not get out the paint! We had our master bedroom furniture painted in the same color a couple of years ago. I will share it with you in an upcoming post. I am trying to find "before" pics!

________________________________________________

I am so glad Fall is here! It's my favorite season with the cooler days, less humidity and the changing colors of leaves on the trees.

Decorating the house with the oranges, reds and golds of the season makes it more welcoming and cozy.

This is what I am planning to do this weekend ... buy pumpkins!

If only I had a red truck like this to fill with pumpkins! I adore this little red truck I bought several years ago at Hobby Lobby. It's just the little things in life that can bring a smile to my face :) I put a Christmas tree in it for Christmas and I thought why not get it out and put pumpkins in it for Fall.

And my sweet little girl with her denim dress. Isn't she the cutest with her sunflower and harvest basket full. Love the sunflower!

Jennifer is coming home tomorrow and we really are buying pumpkins to decorate the front porch and who knows what else we might get into! I love having her home if even just for a few hours.

If only we had an old red truck to jump into and fill with pumpkins!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Donna

Quilt Blocks for a Fallen Soldier's Family

2011-09-22T09:51:00.001-05:00

Everyone who reads my blog knows about my precious Amber and my journey since she went to Heaven two years ago.

I know how it feels to lose a loved one and so many of you have helped me with comments, sent me notes in the mail or emails saying they are praying for me and my family.

One of sweet blogging friends, John'aLee (that I have actually met) just lost her soon to be son-in-law serving our country a couple of weeks ago. She is going to make quilts for the family and is asking for quilt blocks. Please go here to read her story. It will touch your heart.

John'aLee even dedicated a quilt block to Amber in her latest quilt called "Sunshine in the Shadows". It has a sunflower :)
John'aLee emailed me the other day and said she never thought she would be trying to find "sunshine in the shadows". It breaks my heart.

I went yesterday and bought fabric to make blocks for the quilts and will be making them this weekend. Even if you don't quilt just go to her blog and let her know you are thinking about her and her family.

Thank you!

Hugs,
Donna

Bench Makeover

2011-09-18T19:59:00.000-05:00

I have had this bench for a few years and wanted to lighten it up with some paint and glaze.

This is the bench that was dark and it was okay but I was tired of it. It had so much detail that did not show.

Here is the after and I like it much better. We used paint and glaze we had leftover from other projects so there was no cost involved.

Closeup of the details on the arm of the bench ...

and on the front legs. This piece has so much detail that you just didn't notice until the glaze was applied. Love it now!

It will be in the same room as the cedar chest I painted here.

Here is the cedar chest from the previous post.

This room makeover is taking forever! I took a couple of chairs that were my mother's to the upholstery shop to have recovered. They will be a huge transformation too! I can't wait to see them with the new fabric.

I now have to decide on drapery fabric for the large window you can see in the pic at the top and another smaller window. Decisions ... decisions! Hopefully I will have this project done soon!

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch - Met Monday and

Linda at Coastal Charm for their linky parties.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Decorating the Mantle for Fall

2011-09-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

I have been working on my mantle for Fall. I just added a few little pumpkins, gourds, leaves and of course ...

sunflowers!

Now I have a large basket to arrange for the hearth.

I am also going to pull out my Fall quilts, light up a yummy candle and do so more decorating!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Pretty Dresses Quilt Blocks

2011-09-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

When I was reorganizing my sewing room I found these quilt blocks I began years ago.

I always made Amber and Jennifer's dresses and loved sewing for them. These are all "dresses" made from my scraps leftover from dresses I made for them when they were little and in their first few years of school. Often they were dressed alike when they were younger. Two adorable little girls :) if I say so myself!

These are just a few ... have sixteen in all. It's hard to take a picture around here without a little cat wanting to help! She kept rearranging them for me! See her little paw in the top left corner.

This fabric was from little sundresses when they were little bitty girls! I still have the dresses. I still need to blanketstitch around the dress forms on each block.

The pattern is from the book "Quilting With My Sister".

I do remember thinking what I would use for the sashings since I had all different colors of dresses. Got any suggestions?

It is a beautiful day here in the South.

Have a good weekend.

Hugs,

Donna

Perfect Winter Beef Stew

2011-09-07T06:15:00.013-05:00

I thought I would share the recipe for the stew I was making yesterday and it is so yummy. I have made this for several years. I found the recipe on a Kraft calendar that I had at the time. The only thing I don't use in mine is the mushrooms, my husband doesn't care for them.

Perfect Winter Beef Stew

3/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing

2 lb. beef stew meat, such as beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch chunks

6 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped

1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms

1 large onion, chopped

6 carrots (about 1 lb.), sliced

1-1/2 lb.potatoes (about 3), peeled, cut into large chunks

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes, undrained

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) beef broth

POUR dressing over beef in resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; turn to evenly coat beef with dressing. Refrigerate 30 min. to marinate.

COOK bacon in large saucepan on medium heat 5 min. or until crisp, stirring occasionally. Use slotted spoon to remove bacon from saucepan; drain on paper towels

ADD mushrooms and onions to saucepan; cook on medium-high heat 10 min. or until tender, stirring occasionally. Remove meat from marinade; discard marinade. Add meat, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, broth and bacon to saucepan; stir.

BRING to boil, stirring occasionally; cover. Simmer on low heat 1-1/2 hours or until meat is done and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally and uncovering for the last 15 min.

*I prepare mine using KRAFT Light Italian Dressing.

Here is how to Prepare Stew in Slow Cooker

Marinate beef, and cook bacon, onions and mushrooms as directed. Remove beef from marinade; discard marinade. Add beef, onions, mushrooms and remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Cook 10 to 12 hours on LOW (or 5 to 6 hours on HIGH). Stir in 2 Tbsp. flour mixed with 2 Tbsp. water. Cook, covered, 15 min. or until sauce is thickened.

Hopefully some of you will try it. It's very simple.

Thanks for visiting,

Donna

This and That

2011-09-06T13:07:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in nearly a week. Today I am getting some of my Fall decorations out for the season. I love Fall and all the colors ... especially the Jim Shore figurine in the pic above. There is so much detail in his pieces.

It sure feels like Fall here today! It is in the 50's! We went from the 100's to the 50's just over the weekend. TS Lee came through here over the weekend and brought needed rain to this area. The rain along with the high winds kept us inside the last two days. No Labor Day party around here ... unless you had a boat and wanted to go floating in the pastures. I just picked everything up off our front porch that the wind blew down. There was nothing left standing. We were lucky that we didn't lose power.

My husband and I did celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary on Friday. It doesn't seem like 34 years at times and then again it seems longer :) I have the most caring and loving husband a wife could ask for ... he is a keeper for sure! And he is a wonderful daddy as well.

Well I have got to go add potatoes and carrots to a pot of stew I have cooking. It smells yummy!

Hugs,

Donna

Cottages of Seaside and Watercolor

2011-08-31T14:55:00.001-05:00

I promised in my post here that I would share some of the cottages. These are just a few of my pics I took of the Seaside and Watercolor communities. I was either on a bicycle or in the car when I took most of these pics. I had not ridden a bike in over thirty years. It was so much fun! Riding a bike is the main mode of transportion.

Love this lavender one! Notice the aqua bikes to the right of the house.

Colorful and so cheerful ... this one was about three stories.

Gorgeous blue with the yellow door and purple rocking chairs.

PINK!

I would love to sit up there and look out onto the ocean.

This is the house from the pic above. Notice the bikes lined up.

This is not a cottage to me ... it's a large house! I would love to live here. We could never own a house like this unless we won the lottery!

Wouldn't you love to sit on this front porch?

Sorry the pic is not straight ... I was in the car being nosey!

Green and red ... they are all colors.

Loved this one too ...

I love the lush greenery.

The porch light fixtures are so pretty on this house.

Loved this fence with the courtyard. All of the fences in Seaside are all different.

Details galore on the fences.

I have so many other pics of the picket fences, however they had the owner's names and where they are from. I don't want to share their info. They had the cutest most original names for their "cottages"! Must be nice to live this lifestyle :)

Sunset at the end of a long day!

I wonder how many times I used the word "love" in this post ... LOL

I have more pics of the shops and parks in the community I will share in another post.

It took me forever to download these.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Amber ... Happy Birthday in Heaven

2011-08-30T07:00:00.004-05:00

Amber ... a few months before she went to Heaven ...

Wearing the color purple and a heart necklace around your neck :) Two of your favorite things along with angels, sunflowers and Karen Kingsbury books!

It's days like today when you would be 32 years old that makes us miss you so much more. There is not a minute of the day that goes by that I don't think of you. When I was at the beach I watched the clouds to look for images you designed :) You told me it would be your job in Heaven :) according to a few questions on Facebook! I constantly look up at the sky.

I know you will be having a birthday party in Heaven. We will all join you one day to celebrate together! Just believing and having faith gets us through the "tough" days!

Happy Birthday Amber .....

Love you,

Mommy and Daddy!

I'm Home ...

2011-08-29T10:12:00.002-05:00

I have been away on vacation and soaked up too much sun!

This is what I did for hours ...

The beach was gorgeous in the Florida panhandle.

I have some pics of gorgeous homes in the Seaside and Watercolor area where we vacationed. I have to download and look through them all. I will share them with you later this week.

My heart goes out to all the people on the east coast who were affected by hurricane Irene. Hopefully everything will be back to normal soon.

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs,

Donna

Dresden Plate in Progress

2011-08-25T13:01:00.000-05:00

I took a break from organizing my sewing room and worked on my Sew Cherry dresden plate quilt top.

I adore this line of fabric ... very vintage looking and cheerful! I needed some cheering up and just looking at this makes me happy :) I can't decide what fabric I want to use in the center. I have a cherry design I could embroider on my machine using the white fabric or I could hand embroider the centers ... I can't seem to make any decisions!

I will have enough fabric to hopefully make these quilt tops too. I love these patterns with the cakes on the pedestals and apron. Bee in My Bonnet patterns are just adorable.

Speaking of cakes ... right now I wish I had a piece of cake. I may just go bake one! It may have pink icing :)

Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Donna

Drab to Fab

2011-08-21T21:08:00.000-05:00

My "new" cedar chest ... and I love it!

After the makeover ...

This is a cedar chest I acquired several years ago. I like it because it looks like a table. I've had it in a room my husband and I have updated and it needed an update too.

My daughter called it the "brown blob"! It did not belong to anyone in our family so I thought why not paint it.

I knew it would bring out the details in the piece.

We had the off white trim paint and the chocolate glaze that was used on our kitchen cabinets so my hubby and I went to work!

I had fun glazing this piece and watching the details come to life!

My husband even took the handles off and spray painted them oil rubbed bronze.

We didn't have any cost with this makeover. It was all things we had on hand or left over from other projects.

I have been playing with accessories on top of the chest. I will tweak and tweak again! I am still unpacking boxes. We painted another piece that goes in this room also and I love it too. I will share it next ... it went from drab to fab too!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch - Met Monday and

Linda at Coastal Charm for their linky parties.

Antique Dress Potholders

2011-08-15T17:18:00.000-05:00

Back in the Spring I found these adorable antique crocheted dress potholders at a thrift store. I imagined they would be pricey but to my excitement they were just $2 each!

This one is adorable with the little butterfly sleeves and colored border at the hem. I can only imagine some lady sitting and making this cutie!

And another precious little dress with red trim! This one laces up the back.

I knew immediately my potholders would go in my sewing room.

I really don't know how they were ever used as potholders ... they are not lined with anything. They must have been used for decoration in the kitchen. Imagine the work in these little treasures. It makes me think back to when I crocheted years ago.

I have been organizing and moving things around in my sewing room. I moved my grandmother's treadle sewing machine in my sewing room and here it is where I am tweaking the decor! The lamp was a makeover I posted here.

I have my complete house in chaos due to the makeover of another room where the sewing machine was located.

Oh ... let me honest here ... my house is always chaos! I have to admit I am a clutterbug! But you know if I didn't have my hobbies I would be a crazy woman for sure :) My sweet hubby has just learned to live with it!

I did get Jennifer's drapes made and hung last week ... one more thing off my list of things to do! She said I could share her master bedroom soon. I still have to make a couple of pillows.

I am joining Linda at Coastal Charm for her Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

Thank you for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Tessellating Pinwheels Quilt Top

2011-08-11T05:56:00.009-05:00

This is a quilt top I made a couple of years ago and it was fun to make to see how it would look when completed. You begin by making a quilt top with square blocks sewn together and once the quilt top is sewn you use a template and cut it up ... the entire quilt! Then you take those quilt blocks sew them together to make the pinwheels and this is the result.

It was fun to make! I used Thimbleberry fabrics I had left over from projects so it is a scrap quilt!

My friend Donna of Donna's Lavender Nest just sent me a large box of Thimbleberry fabrics! Now I know what I will do with the pieces she sent me! ... Thank you Donna!

The quilt top above is the size of a perfect table topper. It would be great for Fall!

Speaking of Fall ... I am so ready! The days feel like there is Fall in the air with slightly cooler temps! I am ready for cooler and less humid weather!

Thanks for stopping to visit!

Hugs,

Donna

Ruling the Roost

2011-08-08T15:29:00.000-05:00

Sheila at Note Songs is hosting a Roosters and Chicken party ... yard birds as she calls them.

I didn't realize I had so many roosters until I looked around my kitchen and dining area. Roosters really do rule the roost around here!

In the pantry ...

Roosters and sunflowers go so well together.

Tin rooster sign...

On top of the kitchen hutch ...

Cookie jar even has a rooster!

Teapots ...

I recently purchased the rooster dishes that match the platter, sugar and creamer ... love them!

Another rooster platter with salt and pepper shakers. Love the sunflowers on the checked border :)

Roosters on top of the dining room china cabinet. My dining room connects with the kitchen ...

More salt and pepper shakers.

And finally a small rooster lamp behind a chair in the family room. It adds a soft glow in the evenings.

Love the feather trim on the lamp.

I hope you enjoyed my rooster collection. Can you tell I am a country girl?

Thank you Sheila for hosting the party and thank YOU for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Old Sheets ...What Was I Thinking?

2011-08-05T15:22:00.000-05:00

After joining Pinterest and seeing quilts made from sheets from the 70's and older ...I thought I have some of the same sheets! We had used them for dropclothes for painting! Just a few weeks ago I used them for covering the piano and furniture while we painted a room. What was I thinking?

Found on Pinterest

This one is from Pinterest too. See what I am talking about? I never would have thought in a million years I would want to make a quilt from old sheets!

After doing a quick look in my linen closet I found these sheets. I even have the pillow cases to match.

I know I have more in the basement and another closet. My aunt says she has some too and I could have them. I never knew I could get so excited over old sheets! LOL

Now I am on a mission .... looking for old sheets!

Sorry I didn't press this one ... forgive the wrinkles. It is a sheet I used on my girls baby bed :) I adore it and I know I have more packed away.

I know what I am doing this weekend ... searching my house for old sheets! My husband will really think I have lost my mind!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Donna

My Baby is 30!

2011-08-03T07:02:00.002-05:00

My little girl is 30 years old today! Makes me feel so old :) I am lucky to have this adorable young lady as my daughter.

The happy couple ... they are still newlyweds after all! LOL

They came to our house on Saturday and we took her out to dinner and had birthday cake afterwards. She insisted on not having a party!

Her daddy and I are so blessed to have Jennifer as our daughter! She has been such a comfort to us the past couple of years even though she misses her "Sissy" so much too! She always has the right words to say or the perfect Bible verse to quote me when I need it most. She is a wonderful Christian girl.

I don't write about Jennifer too much on my blog due to the fact that she had her own blog for awhile. With her long hours of working she gave it up for now.

She has made me and her daddy so proud! She was the valedictorian of her high school class, a magna cum laude graduate in college with all kinds of honors and a magna cum laude graduate of the pharmacy school she attended with honors! You know I should really call her Dr. Jennifer ... ! After four years of college and four years of pharmacy school I was so glad when she graduated from school with her doctorate!! She is a perfectionist ... she didn't get that from me!

I kept asking her what she wanted for her birthday. I thought something sentimental like a piece of jewelry and she said she just wanted me to make drapes for their bedroom. A couple of months ago I made pillow shams, a comforter, and bed skirt for her. Now she wants drapes to match! So we purchased the fabric and I will be making them in the next few days. She has no interest in learning to sew!! Maybe she will let me share their master bedroom in a post. Her house is beautiful!

I wanted to do something a little more personal for her and decided to make her a scrapbook of her bridesmaids luncheon and bridal showers from last year. I finally got the bridesmaids luncheon pages completed and she was thrilled with it! I will continue to work on the bridal showers as well. There are sooo many pictures! I love to scrapbook but I miss my scrapbooking buddy ... Amber!

These are a couple of pics from her bridesmaids luncheon ...

And I LOVE her shoes! I did a really cute page with these shoes! I have a Silhouette digital craft cutter and I cut little shoes out and decorated them. I wish I had good pics of the scrapbook pages to share.

And this is a bouquet of flowers I picked from my garden and gave her for her b'day! I love having flowers in my garden!

Well I need to get busy on those drapes! Gotta make the birthday girl happy!

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

Love you,

Mommy

Hardanger Embroidery

2011-08-01T15:29:00.000-05:00

As I was clearing out the room we are giving a makeover I came across this little pincushion I made years ago ... close to 20 years ago!

It's called hardanger embroidery and originated in Norway. It is counted thread stitches, drawn threadwork and pulled thread embroidery. You stitch and then clip the little "windows" as I call them. It looks difficult but it really is simple. You have to be very precise!

Here is a closeup view of the center of the little "windows". I forget what you call them :)

Here is the pincushion in front of a teacup. It is about three inches square! This was back when I could see well up close!

I have never used it as a pincushion ... I wonder why?

I have my books and materials packed away somewhere and I would really love to try it again. Right now I just don't need another project.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Thank You!

2011-07-27T18:07:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your comments and emails the past few days! I appreciate them all so much :) Amber continues to live on in our hearts and always will!

Amber's best friend Will came to visit and brought food. He is so kind and he can cook! He came before lunch and brought quiche, homemade banana nut muffins and fruit salad. Oh it was so good!

We later went to the cemetery and released balloons ... of course they were purple! We watched them float into the beautiful blue sky! Jennifer had to work all weekend so she couldn't be with us.

Of course we tied balloons to her vase of flowers! The wind was really blowing them in all directions.

Sunflowers will go in her vase for her birthday :) You all know she loved sunflowers!

Will and his family sent us this beautiful vase of flowers the day before ... aren't they gorgeous! His dad was the pastor who baptized Amber and Jennifer, officiated at Amber's funeral and married Jennifer and Jeremy. We have quite a connection. Will's mother and I are very good friends also.

Had to have a closeup of the roses. They are a lavender color and gorgeous!

I promise my next post will be more upbeat. I have been working all day on putting my room back together that we have updated. I am trying to decide whether to paint a couple of older pieces of furniture. Gotta keep my mind busy!

Hugs,

Donna

Amber ... Two Years in Heaven

2011-07-23T08:12:00.000-05:00

Amber ... I can't believe it has been two years since I held your hand in mine and kissed you goodnight. Two long years of missing you. I walk by your room a hundred times a day and oh how I wish you were in there watching television or reading. Your DVR is still set with the shows you recorded. I sometimes go in there to see what is recording. We haven't had it in our heart to disconnect it.

I know you are in Heaven and one day I will see you again. My faith is what gets me through the days. God had a plan for you before you were born. I can clearly see that now. You touched so many lives in your nearly 30 years here on earth. Everyone said you always had a smile on your face. I know you have a huge smile now that you are walking again and out of the wheelchair :) Oh to see you walk again and one day I will! In the meantime I have to stay here until God calls me home and keep your sister and your Daddy going. Someone has to keep them in line :)

I thanked God when you were born and so perfect! Big blue eyes and long dark hair. Oh and those long eyelashes ... I was so jealous!! You looked like a china doll.

When you were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy I feared our time with you on earth would be cut short. We always made the most of our time. I always said I would have no regrets and I spoiled you rotten!! You knew you had me wrapped around your little finger (and your daddy too).

Someone told me once that God gives special kids to special parents. I don't consider myself special ... he just knew you would be very well taken care of by your daddy and me. I go to your Facebook account to "farm" your farm and see your friends post about being married and having babies. I can't help think about how it could have been had you not had this horrible disease. All I wanted was for you to be healthy and to live a normal life. Things don't always go as planned. But none of us are promised tomorrow. That's the way I always tried to look at life. We could be gone in the blink of an eye.

So many people say they think of you when they see sunflowers or the color purple! It makes me happy to know that people who didn't even know you think of you when they spot a sunflower. It's like you are shining down on us with a huge smile.

This week I was purchasing pinwheels to put on your gravesite to tie balloons to and a lady asked me if I was having a party. I told her no that I was putting one on my daughter's headstone and she was so touched. I know she was thinking she shouldn't have asked me what I was doing with them. She was touched by my story.

Of course the pinwheels are purple!

I still cry every day and I probably always will ... it's just a "mommy" thing. As parents we are not supposed to have to bury our children. Believe me it was the hardest and most heartbreaking thing in my life.

You once told me that if you could have a job it would be rocking babies in a nursery. I read other parents blogs who have lost babies and I imagine you rocking babies in Heaven :)

As I said above it is my faith in God that keeps me going. Heaven is not far away at all!

Keep on smiling down on us! We will see you again one day :)

Love you sweet girl!

Mommy

Pinterest ... Are You Pinning?

2011-07-21T13:47:00.000-05:00

I jumped into the latest craze ... I have joined Pinterest!

If you need inspiration for anything and I mean anything you should join Pinterest.

I have five invites available so if you would like to join just send me an email.

A warning ... it might be addictive!

Hugs,

Donna

Wet Paint!

2011-07-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks working on a room in our house that is the last room to be updated. Let's just say after this room I do not want to makeover any more rooms for a very long time!

Chair rail with a new coat of paint. I love this chair rail with the detail. I have the same kind in my dining room.

The walls have been painted and crown molding has been installed by my hubby and his assistant .... ME!

Yesterday and today we have been installing hardwood flooring and my body just aches all over! I am feeling so old at this very moment! LOL Hopefully tomorrow we will be finished with the flooring.

I can't wait until I have this room finished and get my dining room back in order. We call this room we are redoing our piano room for lack of a better name. It does have the piano in it that I played as a young girl! There is no television, no phone jack and no computer area! Just a room to go to for quiet time. This room is all about ME!!!

I have a couple of chairs that were my mothers that I want to have upholstered and then there are drapes to make and pillows to make and the list goes on!!!

Sorry I haven't had time to respond to many comments and visiting other blogs! I just want this room done!!

Now I am curling up with my heating pad on my back and going to bed!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Baby Quilt and Embroidered Towels

2011-07-16T01:22:00.000-05:00

Recently I needed a couple of quick projects for gifts ... one for a baby boy and a quick wedding gift.

Here is the baby quilt with the fun fabrics. It was very quick to sew. I made it in a few hours.

I used the polka dots on the back and stripped pieced the binding with leftover fabrics. Inexpensive to make! I had the batting so I just had to buy a few fabrics. The mother loved it for her little one :)

I also needed a quick wedding gift for a friend so I went to Belk (a local dept store here in the South) and purchased handtowels. I embroidered a "B" for the brides last name. Most ladies here in the South love something monogramed! It's a Southern thing :) The simples towels were a hit with the bride and groom.

These projects goes to show you that you don't have to spend a ton of money on gifts that people will love. I actually got the handtowels on sale and for the babies quilt most of the supplies I had in my sewing room.

I am joining up with Susan at Blackberry Creek for her weekly UFO update. Thank you Susan for hosting this weekly party!

We have been very busy around here redoing a room and it has been very time consuming. My dining room is overflowing with stuff from the room that is getting a makeover. I will be glad when our project is done and I can show pics!

Thank you for stopping in!

Hugs,

Donna

Yummy Peach Pie

2011-07-11T06:27:00.001-05:00

I love fresh peaches! My son-in-law grew up in "peach country" here in Alabama and was sweet enough to bring me a basket of fresh peaches last week. I had just read the July issue of Southern Living magazine and on the front cover was this peach pie that was calling for me to make it!

This was right after I took it out of the oven!

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Peach Pie

8 large fresh, firm, ripe peaches (about 4 lb.)

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
Pie crust
*This calls for a homemade pie crust ... but I really like Mrs. Smith's pie crust. I don't seem to have the patience to make my own crust when Mrs. Smith's does a great job! I use the second crust in the package to make the lattice top.

Preheat oven to 425º.
Peel peaches, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; cut slices in half. Stir together brown sugar and next 4 ingredients. Add peaches, stirring to coat. Immediately spoon peach mixture into piecrust and dot with 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter. (Do not make mixture ahead or it will become too juicy.)

Freeze pie 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a jelly-roll pan in oven 10 minutes. Place pie on hot jelly-roll pan.

Bake at 425° on lower oven rack 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°; bake 40 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning, and bake 25 more minutes or until juices are thick and bubbly (juices will bubble through top). Transfer to a wire rack; cool 2 hours before serving.

*Definitely bake this on a jelly-roll pan ... or you will have a mess in your oven! Thank goodness I followed directions and placed mine on one!

I served it with vanilla ice cream and it is yummy!

If you have fresh peaches you should really give this recipe a try!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Sweet Tea Quilt Update

2011-07-08T15:03:00.000-05:00

I am joining Susan at Blackberry Creek for her weekly UFO quilt update.
I have slowly been working on my Sweet Tea quilt I began a LONG time ago!

I love teapots, teacups and sweet tea. Living in the South you gotta have your sweet tea!

Just one of the teapots.

I finally have the handles on my teacups and one border on my quilt. I love how the ribbon border is made when sewing the teacups together.

Now I just have to decide on placement of my teacups around the border. I am moving really slow and working on other projects too. I have such a mess in my sewing room!

We have started a new project in our house and I have a huge mess right now. I went this morning to pick out paint for the room we are redoing. Now I get to think about curtains and pillows and all kinds of pretties!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Donna

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T09:34:00.000-05:00

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Hugs,

Donna

Quilt Update

2011-07-01T05:01:00.001-05:00

I am joining Susan at Blackberry Creek for the Little Green Quilts UFO Bust. Susan always has some kind of quilting project in progress and is very inspiring. I love her blog header with the bunny quilt ... love me some bunnies!

This week I am sharing a quilt top that is now completed and another quilt I began cutting yesterday.

Hold your eyes ... here's my BRIGHT watermelon quilt. I took these pics at night so the color is not the greatest.

This was my first ever paper piecing project. I began this quilt top several years ago. I made all of the watermelon blocks and accidentally cut off one of the edges ... GRR! I had to take it apart and remake it. You only do it once and then you LEARN to NEVER do it again!

This is more of the "true" color of the watermelon slices ... bright.

Those little pinwheels were a pain to make! They are not perfect by any means! If I could redo them I probably would. No second thought ... I could redo them but I am not going to! LOL Now just to get it quilted.

I always have "help" when I am working! What is about cats and quilts?

They just go together!

Here's my new project ... like I need another one! I love the new Sew Cherry line of fabrics by Riley Blake. I love cherries and this fabric begged me to purchase it!

I am going to make dresden plate quilt blocks. I may embroider cherries in the middle of the "plate".

Love the cherries ... makes me happy! I love the colors of this fabric line with the reds, pinks, greens, blues and yellows.

Told you I always have "help". Here's my other furbaby! She can't see well and she always has to check out what I am doing. That will be one of my future posts ... about my kitties.

Now I am off to my sewing room to do some sewing. I am sure one of my "helpers" will join me :)

If you live here in the US I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Thank you for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

Sunflowers

2011-06-27T23:22:00.000-05:00

Amber and I both loved sunflowers. I planted some last year but they were not as pretty and tall as the ones this year.

I love this picture with the beautiful blue sky.

They have really grown since we had rain last week. I think they are just a beautiful flower!

They stand very tall in our backyard. They have grown more since I took this picture the other day. We had rain and high winds and the sunflowers were leaning. We had to use rope to tie them to fence poles ... they are so large!

I cut a couple of the smaller sunflowers and zinnias to make a simple flower arrangement. Jennifer had purchased these cute jars in a set of three here in town for $6.97. They can be hung ... they have a handle around the top of the jars. Preserves is written on the front of the jars. Very cute!

Jennifer just wanted one jar so she gave me the other two ...love them! They could actually be hung with votives in them for outside at night. So many uses for cute jars ... especially with handles!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Donna

It's Raining!!

2011-06-21T17:29:00.000-05:00

As I type this I hear rain pouring down outside the windows and thunder in the distance ... just good old fashioned rain. We have needed rain for weeks! The heat and humidity has been about unbearable for me with pulmonary fibrosis. I have kept my inhaler close by! Thank the Lord for the much needed rain! I have watered and watered our vegetable garden and tried to keep my flowers alive during the heat wave.

Here's Honey my little watering buddy! I have to drag the hose around her! Where we live in the country we are not lucky enough to have a sprinkler system :) You know I am a country girl!

Here are some of the flowers I have tried to keep alive.

Love this lily ...

An old tea kettle filled with impatiens. Hopefully it will be full of blooms with the rain.

A kitty sitting on a fence post in the backyard. I love animals! They can bring a smile to my face when nothing else can :)

Now that I don't have to water this evening I am going in my sewing room and hopefully do a little sewing. I haven't touched my sewing machine in a couple of weeks!

Thanks for visiting!
Donna

Two Dollar Table

2011-06-13T13:33:00.001-05:00

Another one of our neighbors passed away a few months ago and her daughters held an estate sale. They had pulled a few items out from under her house. A plastic wicker looking table that was white and dirty caught my attention. I looked it over and saw that it was well made just needed a good washing. I asked how much they wanted for it and said $2. After I paid for it one of the daughters asked me what I was going to do with the table. I told them I was going to clean it up and paint it. They said they wished they had thought of it. I had been looking for something just like it.

Here is my little table with a couple of coats of blue paint. My husband had already cleaned it up and spray painted it before I could take a before picture! Sweet hubby I have :)

This is why I wanted blue ... I placed it between my two red chairs with bright pots on top. My back yard is where I spend my time when I am outside. You can see my gardening angel in the background with sunflower stakes.

The weather has been just about unbearable here and we wish for rain. I am barely keeping my flowers and plants alive with lots of water.

This little sunflower watering can is not hardly big enough for all the water I need for my flowers!

Thanks for visiting!

Donna

I am linking up to Linda at Coastal Charm for NTT.

Their One Year Anniversary ...

2011-06-10T06:25:00.000-05:00

How time flies! It will be one year this weekend ... June 12, that my baby girl was married. At times it seems only yesterday her daddy walked her down the aisle. Here are just a tiny bit of the pics that were taken.

One of my favorites ...

She has her daddy's dimples!

Notice the color of the bridesmaids dresses ... Amber's favorite color!

Amber walked down in the aisle with us. I had a charm on my bouquet too. I made these special keepsakes.

Mr. and Mrs ...

Adorable couple ...

Mommy's little girl ...yes she still calls me mommy.

Daddy's girl ... always :)

The twelth bridesmaid .... yes there was twelve including Amber. A special song was played for our girl in Heaven. Love my two gals!!

There was so much food! We ate beef tenderloin, chicken salad, veggies, cheeses, etc for a week after the wedding ... wish I had some now! The mashed potato station was the favorite!

Tables alternated with low and high arrangements.

Jennifer loves green apples!

We ate and ate green apples after the wedding!

Changed into "cupcake dress" ... everyone thought Jennifer looked like a cupcake in this dress!

Leaving for the honeymoon.

Away in the Rolls Royce ...

The couple is away on their 1st year anniversary.

Happy Anniversary ... Jennifer and Jeremy!

Thanks for visiting!

Donna

Sewing Basket Turned Planter

2011-06-05T21:46:00.000-05:00

When the neighbors had an estate sale last summer so many items were not purchased. The lady who passed away had always sewn. She had a room full of sewing supplies and a couple of baskets packed with sewing items. This was one of them, nothing fancy, just a plain basket.

The lady's family knew I sewed and asked me if I wanted any of the items before they threw them away or gave them to a thrift store. I brought this basket and a larger one filled with all kinds of sewing goodies home with me. Made me happy :)

When I purchased the Flea Market Garden magazine (I posted about here) it had a basket filled with plants and flowers. I remembered my free baskets from last summer. I brought this one out of the basement last week and went to work.

My husband helped me line the basket to hold the soil. This is what my free basket looks like.

I filled it with an assortment of plants I had purchased and had not yet planted.

Small zinnias, creeping Jenny, Mexican heather, a small fern and other flowering plants. I spaced the plants with room to grow and filled in with moss.

I love my basket now!

I like to garden and this can easily be moved from the backyard to the front porch or anywhere I want to place it!

I love taking old things and reusing them. I still have a larger basket that I will eventually fill with flowers.

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Linda at Coastal Charm for their weekly parties.

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

Hummingbirds and Lilies

2011-06-03T10:50:00.000-05:00

It has been so hot and humid here for May and the first few days of June. I don't even want to think about the temps in July and August :(

My aunt has hummingbirds that nest every year on top of a windchime on her front porch. I am so jealous! I love hummingbirds! This little nest is about 1-1/2 inches in diameter ... just tiny. I watched the eggs until they hatched and as they have grown. Now they are about ready to fly! Just look at those babies ... precious!! I will be sad to see the nest empty.

-----------------------------------------------------

I took some pictures last evening of some lilies I just planted this Spring. They are gorgeous!

This morning I have yellow and orange ones blooming too. I may pick me a bouquet this weekend and enjoy them in the house. I love fresh flowers from the garden. There is just something about growing them myself.

Gorgeous shade of pink ...

A deep crimson color ...

And a beautiful off white color.

I will have to keep them watered in this heat!

I have a busy weekend ahead ... a girlfriend of mine that I have known since 4th grade is getting married this evening. Her first husband passed away from cancer several years ago. I am happy that she has found someone to make her happy again. I always love a wedding.

I am going tomorrow to a quilt show in Birmingham. Going to quilt shows always makes me want to come home and sew away!

Have a good weekend!

God Bless!

Donna

A Butterfly in the Ballpark ...

2011-06-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

I couldn't get anywhere with blogger issues last week so I just gave up on posting. Everything seems to be back up and running smoothly now ... thank goodness!

We spent Memorial Day at the ballpark and it was very hot!

Amber was a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves. She began watching baseball as a teenager just to pass the time in the summer. We have been to many games at Turner Field in Atlanta over the years, but it just isn't the same without Amber.

I came across a photo album the other day of Amber when she met some of her favorite players. She was so excited that day in May when we went to the Braves Clubhouse where many people never get to go. She had the biggest smile on her face when she met Chipper Jones ... her favorite player. I will always cherish the memories.

The strangest thing happened while we were watching the ballgame. Amber always loved butterflies. (I try to keep a butterfly in her vase of flowers and she has one engraved in her headstone.) I was thinking about her when out of the blue a butterfly flew right in front of us in the middle of this huge stadium with no flowers around. I asked Jennifer if she saw the butterfly and of course she did too. It was like Amber was sending us a message that she was there with us :) I know she is always watching over us! We miss that sassy gal!

Here's the two of us sitting in the huge adirondack chairs at the top of the stadium overlooking Atlanta. We had room for a couple of more people ... huge chairs! I look huge beside Jennifer a size 0! We had a great time even though they lost.

Actually that is something I have never shared with people who read my blog. I always watch the Braves on television when they are playing. It's just something Amber passed on to me :)

Have a good day!

Hugs,

Donna

Jennifer (Mini Me) Makes Dessert

2011-05-25T09:35:00.000-05:00

My mini me, Jennifer has become quite a cook since she was married last year. She doesn't get to cook every night for dinner due to her work schedule. She works 13 hour days as a pharmacist - 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Long days!! She does have a couple of days off in the week and this is when she gets a chance to try a recipe. She has shared some great recipes with me that I have enjoyed cooking and eating! She becomes more like her mother everyday!! :)

She made this for us recently and it was yummy!

Chocolate Chip Strawberry Bars

Roll of cookie dough
1- 8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup powder sugar
2 squares of white choc or vanilla almond bark
2 Tbsp of milk
1 cup Cool Whip
Strawberries
1 square of chocolate almond bark

Bake cookie dough in 9x13 pan, let cool. Mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Melt 2 squares of white choc or vanilla almond bark in 2 Tbsp of milk....about 40 sec in microwave. Stir it well so all bar is melted. Slowly add to cream cheese mixture while mixing on low speed. Add Cool Whip and stir together well. Spread onto cooled cookie dough. Add sliced fruit to top and then drizzle with the melted chocolate almond bark.

This is really delicious!

I love the saying ... "Mirror mirror on the wall I have become my mother after all".

I gave Jennifer a pillow one time with this saying and she hid it! It is so true now!

Now if I could only get her to sew :)

Thanks for visiting!

Donna

Living in Alabama

2011-05-22T02:09:00.000-05:00

I saw this posted on Facebook from friends here in Alabama and it suits me to a tee!

I was raised in Alabama where summer starts in April, we don't have fireflies, we have lightnin' bugs, rice and beans are vegetables, pecan pie, sweet potato pie & banana puddin is mandatory, y'all is a proper noun, chicken is always fried, biscuits come with gravy, sweet tea is the house wine, & someone is always getting their heart blessed.

It is so true ... I am always blessing someone's heart! I catch myself saying it all the time with my Southern drawl! LOL

We do drink sweet tea around here by the gallons. We have it with every meal.

As far as fireflies go I grew up calling them lightning bugs! We would catch them in a jar with holes punched in the lid and release them when it was time to get a bath for bed. It was just a sort of entertainment!

I used to fry all my chicken but in the last 10 years I mostly bake or grill our chicken. But gracious it is so good fried!!! I only changed to baking or grilling for health reasons.

We don't just have pecan pies during the holidays ... I make them all the time ...actually 2 weeks ago! And it was GOOD! Today I made banana pudding from scratch and it was so yummy!

And yes I do say Y'all all the time! It is just a southern thing!

I do know one thing you can take the girl out of the South but you can't take the South out of the girl!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend. Yesterday we worked in our veggie garden, flower garden and spreading bags of mulch in flower beds! It is May and our Alabama summer began in April. LOL

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!
Hugs,
Donna

Almond Cream Cheese Pound Cake

2011-05-17T06:34:00.003-05:00

I wanted something sweet last week so I went searching for a recipe that was quick and easy. I reached for the Cake Mix Doctor cookbook and decided to make this simple cake. I ate a piece of it warm from the oven. It would be great served with fruit and whipped cream.

Ingredients:

1 (18 ounce) box butter recipe cake mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temp
4 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Bring cream cheese to room temperature. Place all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Mix with electric mixer on low for one minute until all combined. Mix at medium for two minutes. Bake in a greased and floured 10 inch tube pan at 350°F for about 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.

I will definitely make this cake again. It was light tasting, super easy and quick!

Thank you for visiting!
Hugs,
Donna

Biltmore in the Spring

2011-05-10T13:34:00.000-05:00

We visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC last week for a couple of days. We had toured the house before so we did not take the tour again. We went to the Festival of Flowers. The tulips had bloomed but there were flowers galore. The rhododendrons were blooming and they were purple. I took so many pics but only chose a few to share.

Iris blooming in all colors.

I think they have every rose imaginable and so fragrant!

We were taking a walk and came across this waterfall spilling over the spillway. It was so high my hands were sweating crossing it! I don't like heights!

In the Conservatory this old suitcase ws filled with greenery and flowers. I am on a search for an old suitcase!

Small sunflowers ...

Birdcage overflowing with ivy.

Hydrangeas in every color. I really liked this purple one ...

On the pedestal the cosmetic case is filled with greenery. Loved this also! Creative ways to use old luggage.

The Biltmore Inn is perched on a hill overlooking the mountains and countryside. A wonderful place to stay and everyone is so friendly.

Leaving the Biltmore Estate on Saturday morning. It is a wonderful place to visit. I can't imagine living in such an enormous house with grounds that extend for miles.

Oh well ... I came home to my house and although it is not a mansion with flowers galore it is filled with so many memories and lots of love!

Thanks for visiting!

Donna

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-07T21:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers.

My husband and I have been away a couple of days on a getaway. We arrived back home a few hours ago. Where we went had so many beautiful flowers and this rose was among them.

Thanks for visiting ... Donna

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

2011-05-04T14:07:00.000-05:00

I love buttons especially old ones. I was so surprised when a friend of mine Mary Ann came by yesterday and said she had something from her son Will. Will was Amber's best friend from high school. She had lots of friends but Will was the best! He was the only boy that we would ever let Amber go anywhere with. He has a special sister and he knew how he it was for Amber and her disability. I have always thought of Will like a son and like a brother to Amber and Jennifer. He comes and visits us often.

This is what he sent me. Buttons galore!! The large jar is huge! There are all shapes and sizes of buttons. Baby ones to large ones that are at least two inches. His mother said he saw them in an antique shop and he thought of me.

Needless to say I spent last night looking at buttons! I will use these in all kinds of projects for sure.

You know it's the little things in life that just make me happy!

Thanks for visiting!

Donna

*Thank you all for your comments and emails about the tornadoes here in Alabama.

Tornado Devastation ...

2011-05-03T06:24:00.000-05:00

The devastation from the tornadoes last week is just heartbreaking. I have seen some of the destruction myself and it is so sad. I always have my camera in my purse but I could not bring myself to take pictures of such horrible scenes. I have never seen anything like it in my life. In the past I've seen where tornadoes had hit homes but nothing like the damage the monster tornadoes did last week.

I've found receipts, newspapers, magazine covers with addresses in our yard from Tuscaloosa an hour and a half away. Pieces of window blinds, insulation and roof material in our yard.

Just miles from my house lives are forever changed. People lost or still missing. Near my cousin's home a little 6 year old boy was found passed away in a tree. He lived 30 miles away. Friends are fortunate to be alive with trees down all around their house with minor damage to their home. They were in the bathtub as the tornado passed through.

Near the river there is even more devastation. Nothing left ... people missing. A family of five has yet to be found. Story after story ... such sadness.

Seeing people at our local Walmart buying necessities to get by for a few days at a time makes what I needed to purchase so insignificant.

Again story after story. People picking up the pieces and looking for just a picture of the past ...

Please keep the people of Alabama and surrounding states in your thoughts and prayers.

I hope to have more upbeat posts this week!

Thanks for visiting!
Donna

Tragic Day in Alabama

2011-04-28T13:44:00.000-05:00

In my last post I mentioned we were expecting bad weather this week. Well it hit Alabama yesterday. There have been numerous tornadoes in our state ...one after the other. Storm sirens going off ... the weather people were on television all day long warning of the storms. So many people do not have power or water. We are so lucky to have power and survive the brunt of any of the tornadoes. We have found debris from houses in our yard. The huge tornado that tore across the state was south of us by several miles. Tornadoes were north of us also.
Dozens of people are dead ... people missing. The last count I heard was at least 162 dead here in Alabama, more I am sure to be found. So many more injuries. Homes and entire towns destroyed. In Tuscaloosa where The University of Alabama is located, businesses, homes and apartments destroyed. Students killed and missing. So sad. I watched the tornado on TV as it made its way through homes and businesses. Twisted metal everywhere and cars tossed upside down. Some towns no longer exist.

We were so lucky here in my town. People are coming from surrounding towns to our local gas stations. Walmart is packed with people buying water and food.

Yesterday morning my husband and I received a call from my aunt (who has been like a mother to me since my mother went to Heaven years ago) that my sweet precious uncle (who was like my dad) was not doing well in a Birmingham hospital. He had fallen last week and broke his hip. He passed away as tornado warnings were going off in the hospital. We were standing over his bed in ICU as the first of the storms passed through. Another of my family members gone to Heaven with Amber. I can just see my Amber and uncle reunited again!

The sun is shining here today as I help my aunt with funeral arrangements for my uncle. It has been a sad couple of days. A sad day for my family and other families who have lost their loved ones from the tornadoes.

Please pray for the families of our state and surrounding states.

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!
Donna

Pink Blooms ...

2011-04-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

Spring has "sprung" around here! We've had beautiful weather the last few days with temps in the 80's. Severe weather is predicted for tomorrow and Wednesday :( April showers does bring May flowers! I just don't like the tornado warnings we have here in the South.

Easter Sunday was quiet around here. It was just me and my hubby. We went to church services on Friday evening with Jennifer and Jeremy. The church is so large they had nine Easter services ... we went to the first one held Friday.

Saturday evening Jennifer and Jeremy came here and we had an early dinner. I prepared our traditional meal and later in the evening we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores.

I had to show Jennifer my first peony of the year! I actually remembered to take a picture of my first pink bloom from this bush. It's special to me ... the bulbs were transplanted from my mother's peony bush. My mother passed away 30 years ago this year.

And speaking of pink blooms ... this is just one of twelve pink rose bushes I have at the lower end of our driveway. They are full of blooms and buds. I can look out our bedroom window to a sea of pink!

And finally my clematis. I snapped this picture before dark and the storms pass through. It is a purple-pinkish color. I planted it last year and was afraid it would not survive the cold winter we had ... thankfully it did.

Well gotta go and open up a package I received from the Fat Quarter Shop today ... that's exciting!

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T23:01:00.000-05:00

May you have a blessed day!

Hugs,

Donna

Burlap Easter Egg

2011-04-17T20:20:00.000-05:00

I have seen these painted burlap Easter eggs

around area gift shops for at least $40.

I thought to myself when I saw the price tag .... I will make my own. I had everything I needed to make one ... the burlap, paint and brushes. If I had to go buy everything it would have just cost a few dollars. It's just the time involved that raises the cost.

I am not sure how the eggs in gift shops are made but here is how I made mine.

First I made a pattern out of newspaper in an egg shape. I cut out two burlap pieces so that when it is painted the egg stiffens and holds its shape. The burlap does soak up the paint! I basecoated the entire egg and let it dry overnight. I hung it from a clothes hanger to dry quicker. The next day I freehanded the design and painted the other colors. I love polka dots so I used my old stenciling brush for the dots. After the paint was completely dry I took a black Sharpie and outlined everything. I was afraid the edges would fray so I took Elmer's glue and mixed it with a little water. I went all around the edges to seal the burlap.

It was a fun project.

I only made one but you could make a couple at a time ... the one I made is hanging in Jennifer's house :)

I am joining Susan for Met Monday and Linda at Coastal Charm for NTT.

Thank you for visiting!

Donna

Callaway Gardens

2011-04-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

My husband and I met Jennifer and Jeremy in Pine Mountain, Georgia this past weekend at Callaway Gardens. It is a beautiful place to visit. We have been there a couple of times before in the Spring. These are just a few pictures I took while there.

I wish I could say this was my garden!

I love bunny rabbits and this one is just the cutest with his Easter basket. If only I could have brought him home with me :)

Chicks covered with some type of moss ... adorable!

Not sure what this flower is ... it was labeled but forgot!

The chapel...

Inside the chapel.

Beautiful azaleas everywhere you look. They were past the peak during our visit ... but beautiful.

Camelia ... it is Alabama's state flower. I really need to plant one in my yard. Think I will look for one to plant.

We had a wonderful day trip. I love gardening and it is such a beautiful place for inspiration.

We have had a tragic death in my family this week. On Tuesday my nephew (my oldest brother's son) who was nine months older than Amber passed away. He has two little girls and my heart breaks for them.

Please pray for his family.

God Bless...

Donna

Milk Glass and Glass Buttons

2011-04-11T19:37:00.000-05:00

I am joining Linda at Coastal Charm for NTT. Go by and visit her and see what she is giving away this week. I won an adorable apron last week and received it in the mail today! I will have to get my hubby to take my pic with it on ... minus the headshot!!

I found this milk glass candy dish at an estate sale for $2.50. It has the grape and leaf design on it.

I needed something to put a small bouquet of flowers in so I decided it would work. I rarely use anything intended for what it was made to be used.

Here is a better picture of my tiny little roses and little snowballs. The roses smell so good!

I adore old buttons! I found these glass ones in a flea/antique store in Marietta for $3. I am not sure what I will use them for ... it will be something special. I have seen beautiful jewelry made from old buttons.

We had a beautiful weekend and now we have severe thunderstorms passing through. One good thing is ... April showers bring May flowers!

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

I Have to Make This Egg Before Easter!

2011-04-08T07:16:00.001-05:00

I have been so busy this week making new bedding for Jennifer and her husband's master bedroom. Oh what a chore! I have made my share of bedding over the years but I have never made a king size coverlet and bed skirt with pleats. I don't know how many hours I have worked on it but has been so time consuming! It is finally finished with the exception of pillow shams. She still has to decide on her fabric choice. But they will be very simple ... thank goodness! I am delivering it to her house today!!!

Now I really want to do something fun and this is what I want to make before Easter! It is an egg runner for the table. When I was in a quilt shop in Marietta, Georgia a few weeks ago quilters were making these and they were adorable! They were making them with all colors of fabric and rick rack of every color! So cute!

This is the pattern by Pieced Tree Patterns.

I posted this carrot last year I made and love it. It was fun to make.

I have lots of scraps I can use from my stash to make the Easter egg!

As soon as I get it made I wll post it ...I can assure you it will have purple in it!

I am sorry I haven't gotten around to responding to all my comments this week. I've read them all but I have been so busy with sewing I have yet to respond to all of you ... thank you for being patient! I noticed I have new followers and thank you!

Thank you for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

Flowery Easter Eggs

2011-04-05T10:42:00.000-05:00

I was in PB recently and saw Easter eggs covered with flowers. They were adorable but I was not going to pay $6 for each egg.

I made my own version and I like them just as well.

I covered a styrofoam egg with small silk flowers. I took each flower apart and hot glued them to the styrofoam. Super easy! The little centers fell out of the flowers so I had pretty pins I put in the center of each flower.

Here are all the supplies I needed along with a hot glue gun.

Here is the finished product and I didn't pay $6 a piece!

I am joining Linda at Coastal Charm's NTT for her weekly party.

Thanks Linda for hosting this party!

Thank you for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

Quilts in Progress ...

2011-04-01T09:08:00.000-05:00

I have so many quilts that I have started and have yet to complete. Many of them I packed up and put away after Amber went to Heaven and I just didn't want to do anything. Now I am upacking some of them and here are just a few.

Mariner's Compass

BOM from my local quilt shop.

Another block that goes with the one above. There are several that goes with this quilt. It is all about a tea party.

Hand applique by Verna Mosquera ... it's called Amelia's Rose Garden. I have the overlay bunched up to see the roses.

Overlay back in position ... that's why the little blue dots.

Sorry about the bad pic ... it is gloomy here this morning.

Jacob's Ladder with machine applique border. It has been packed away and needs a really good pressing! I have to finish stitching down the applique.

These are just a few of my WIP's. I will post more next week.

I am linking up to Susan at Blackberry Creek for the UFO Challenge.

Thanks for visiting and God Bless,

Donna

Look What I Got in the Mail ...

2011-03-31T13:38:00.000-05:00

I received my Pay It Forward gift from Erin at Erin's Art and Gardens. She posted these beautiful doilies on her blog yesterday and how she made them as well. My photos do not do hers justice ... she is a wonderful photographer as well.

I opened my package today and guess what was inside! These cute little bowls or in this case they are nests filled with chocolate eggs!

She had the nests also filled with tissue from sewing patterns! What a great idea! I had already eaten an egg before I took the picture :) Yummy too!

Here are the nests turned upside down to see the beauty of the doilies.

Here they are turned upright.

I love doilies and these are just beautiful with all the handwork that was put into these cuties.

Erin also included a dried daffodil and copies of some of her gorgeous Spring photos. She sent me four and I want to have them framed. She captures nature at its best!

I tried to capture pics of her photos but they just don't do her work justice.

If you have never visited Erin's blog you really should just to see her beautiful photos and artwork.

Thank you Erin ... you made my day!

Thanks for visiting,

Donna

Thrift Store Silver Water Pitcher

2011-03-28T18:36:00.000-05:00

I stopped in at the local thrift store the other day and found this silver water pitcher. It was tarnished very badly and I wondered if I would ever be able to get it to shine. The lady was asking $20 for it but I wouldn't pay that much for it. She finally said she would take $11 and it came home with me!

I thought it was a really pretty piece. I don't know much about silver. After a little bit of silver cleaner and polish it is all pretty and shiny!
As I was polishing it I noticed it was stamped on the bottom by the Rogers Silver Co. I began my search on the internet and found the Rogers Silver Co. trademark. I began another search and found that it sold anywhere from $40 to $90!
I really like my thrifty find and I got a great deal!

I was so anxious to get the silver polish on it I forgot to take a picture before.

I now have it displayed on my kitchen countertop with gerber daisies for Spring.

See the little feet on it and it has a beautiful ornate handle.

It really perks up my countertop with my cloches filled with little green apples!

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

I am joining Linda at Coastal Charm for NTT and

Marty At A Stroll Thru Life for TT.

Pay it Forward ...

2011-03-25T07:00:00.004-05:00

My friend Erin from
http://erin-artandgardens.blogspot.com/
had this on her blog and I am participating.
It's always feels so good to pass something on handmade to maybe make someone's day a little brighter.

Here's how it works....
The first five people who comment on this blog post will receive a handmade gift from me.

In return, you must FIRST write a blog post explaining Pay It Forward 2011. Then.... send out a handmade gift to the first 5 visitors who leave a comment on your post. Take your time...you don't need to send them all today or tomorrow.

This is such a sweet way to connect with friends or meet new ones, by sharing things we create with our hearts.

"It's not the size of the gift that matters, but the spirit
of paying it forward."

I think this is a great way to share with others especially with the events that are happening in the world right now. Something handmade especially makes me happy. It doesn't have to be anything big ... just a small sweet gesture.

If you want to participate let me know by leaving me a comment!

I hope your weekend is great!
Hugs,
Donna

PB Basket and Mine

2011-03-24T12:43:00.000-05:00

I went to Pottery Barn in Birmingham on Saturday and loved all the Spring decor. I love to go there for inspiration. I love all their "pretties" this year. I love PB but the prices are so high for my budget.

I have a passion for baskets and they had beautiful ones but this one was $49.99! Now why don't they just say $50?? Too high priced for me!

I do love it though!

After looking at it I remembered about a month ago I purchased this basket at Cracker Barrel for $19.99! I am going to use it for Easter and then through the summer.

It's about the same size and good enough for me! I can take off the ivy and add some more moss.

Then the sky's the limit!

I have ideas for Easter and then for summer.

I have been extra busy this week so as soon as I decorate it for Easter I will post it!

In the meantime I can use that $30 for something else thrifty!

Thanks for visiting!

Donna