another shot

Here's another shot of the new mailbox mentioned in the previous post.......

In Love with TJ Max

Today while in desperation mode trying to find a dress for Life at Homes (Sue) son's wedding this sat. , I went to our local TJ Max store. I tried my darn-dest to stay out of the housewares dept. but was once again unsuccessful - thank - goodness. I found this adorable mailbox which was just made for my home and it was only 19.95! Now really, how could I possibly resist!!!!
Even though I have a mailslot above the box, somethings just don't fit through the slot. (I did find a dress (or 2) also!)

Sun Room

With the dry weather I'm afraid fall is going to come early here and my view out my sunroom windows will not be as lovely. Decided to take a photo to remember it by - though I see now that none of my hanging basket nor the garden along the fence are showing..... To tell the truth they aren't looking all that great at this point anyway, so maybe it's just as well! This is the room that put my decision to buy my home over the top. I just love daylight. The sofa is a cozy place to nestle on a cold winters day when the sun is shining through. The sofa itself is an antique covered with antique quilts (tho I do believe I have the gingham side up on the cushion so the cats don't soil it:) This room is a favorite gathering spot for family and friends!

Nice Matters

Thank - you to Toni at Rabbit Hill Creations for awarding me this honor. I would pass this on to all of you I've "met" in blog land. So many creative and "nice" women - it is such a treat to share a slice of life with each of you.

The Move

My friends moved over the week-end from this big beautiful home to their adorable cottage.
What you can't see in this photo of the cottage is the huge pole barn which now houses much of what came from their home! I helped on fri with the move and was truly amazed when I went back yesterday. Cheryl had already gotten the house put together and decorated! Our job yesterday was to sort through and organize the pole barn, which we did a fine job of, I must say! Yes, that is a Tiki Bar which sits on the lakes edge. Her husband built it himself and it is the gathering spot for all their "lake" friends.

cousins party

This last week-end was one of my favorite events of the year - "the cousins party". We have been getting together for the last 28 yrs on the first Sat in Aug. I have 18 first cousins along with their spouses, children and now grandchildren. It is such a special day to share with family and catch up on each others lives. It is held each year at my cousin Tom and his wife Lynn's home, which use to be our grandparents home. Lot's of dancing.
Our DJ Dan married to cousin Libby. He spins the tunes that keep us moving and even has a "miners lamp" on his hat to carry out his work!
One of the many dance moves we partake in.... Cousin Michael is in black & red and he is our Fred Astaire! He takes all of us for a twirl on the dance floor before the night is over.
Cousin Steve is "Dr Fire". Every year he makes the most amazing fires in the pit and then roasts corn on the cob which is the best! By the end of the night, after we've danced ourselves silly, we sit around his fire and talk. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to be a part of this amazing family!

tag

Sue

this is the best I could come up with while Miss Emma is napping....Sue, Life at Home was with me when I bought this 5 or 6 yrs ago at the local antique store.

After A While

After A While
by Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn
that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child
and you learn
to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for some one
to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn.....


I discovered this poem while reading the book "Ice Bound". (It seems to have resonated with the author Jerri Nielsen, as it did with me.) I find it's words quite profound and inspiring. I hope you enjoy it too... Sheryl