Tying Up Loose Ends

Okay, so I've had a few questions about "the hair." I'm going to prove what a generous soul I can be by posting a pic of the back and front. (Gotta love dull Saturdays when no one is around to see this.) I LOVE the back — it's the front that's a concern. I've already been whacking at the bangs and I'm turning so gray and it's frizzy and, well, nothing makes me happy anymore with my hair.

At least I appear to be happy with the one taking the picture. That would be true and leads to the next question: Who is he?

Ever take a photo and find that you've captured something very special? I do quite often...a raindrop, a bee, Marilyn Monroe in the moon (and you think that I'm kidding!)

Do you see what I've caught?

Stay tuned, there'll be more to share on this in the days ahead, which will answer the question "Why have you been shopping so much?"

Hope that everybody is enjoying a wonderful weekend!

ETA: I wasn't kidding!

Happy Independence Day!

The winds that blow through the wide sky in these mounts, the winds that sweep from Canada to Mexico, from the Pacific to the Atlantic — have always blown on free men. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt


The 4th of July has dawned blue and glorious here. I enjoyed being out early this morning decorating and, of course, have taken some photos to share. Even the breakfast table looked so pleasant that I took a photo of that. A lone turkey vulture soared above my flag this morning and I tried to talk him into pretending to be an American eagle, but he was having none of it.











For more scenes of Americana, please visit Kari and Kijsa for their Fabulous Flag Flying Fourth!

To those who live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, I wish you a joyful, blessed holiday!

Day Three of Shopping and Counting

Yesterday, the one who matters most and I headed off for the entire day to find the perfect outfit. We gathered many things, but there isn't an outfit in the lot. At least he understands what I am up against given the styles and colors and my figure challenges. So now I'm off for yet another day of shopping on my own. This is the last day that I am devoting to this particular challenge. The. last. day.

Leaving you with a photo of a rose. How very Mary of Little Red House of me! :D

Old Love Letters

Kathi of Lavender, Lace and Thyme has generously passed on the Arte Y Pico award to four wonderful Bloggers and me. I really loved how Kathi described my blog, especially the part about my love for nostalgia. Thank you, Kathi! (I'll be passing this award along soon.)

It's true, I wax nostalgic a lot. This may be because, even though I am a woman in my 50s, my grandmother is alive and doing well. She binds me strongly to the past I believe.

Which reminds me, yesterday was my afternoon with my grandmother. It's when I do her nails and her hair, play a game of cards, the little things. I noticed that there was a stack of letters sitting on her dresser tied neatly with a string. There was a bold message written across the top letter that said "TO BE DESTROYED." Curious and curiouser I became until I just couldn't help but ask.

Nan told me that they are all the love letters written to her by my grandfather and that they'll be destroyed because they are none of anyone's business. I think my heart nearly fell to the floor. On the one hand, I understand her thinking; on the other hand, I am thinking that all that family history now has a dreaded appointment with the shredder.

What do you think? Would you mind if future family members read your love letters?

Creative Concealment, Etc.

Although I'd really like to be participating in Melissa's event today, I am not doing anything unique to disguise the eyesores in my home. Lots of gals are so, if you want to check out some great ideas, visit Solving Flaws: Creative Concealment.

What I have been attempting to do is solve my figure flaws. I've been shopping and nearly wore myself into a frazzle yesterday afternoon trying on one outfit after another. I finally settled on a black skirt with a flowered hem and a black jacket plus an orange shell. Doesn't that sound heavenly? Apparently, my head was not in gear because the one for whom it matters most was not impressed. Definitely not. More shopping to ensue tomorrow.

Hoping to get it right, I went shopping again last night after supper out. Still couldn't find any clothes to wear so I switched tacks — who can't find something wonderful for the house at T.J. Maxx? I found another apothecary jar! I'm so excited about it, too, because it's heavy, uniquely shaped, and a great price. Still can't find a good cloche, but a good apothecary jar is not to be despised.



Enjoy your Tuesday, Everyone!

I Remember Laura Week 5

This will wind up the blog-a-thon with one last link up featuring your cherished family heirlooms. Ma Ingalls most prized possession was her little china shepherdess which rested upon a hand carved bracket made by Pa Ingalls as a gift. Show us something or more than one thing that has been handed down to you that you cherish and plan to hand down to the next generation. Tell us the story of how it came to be in your family, why it is special, and who you plan to gift it to. Anyone is welcome to join in, linking instructions are as listed below.

Oops! And I thought last week was the final entry. I know that I have discussed family treasures over the past eleven months. One of my favorites is the cocoa pot that my great-grandmother gave me when I was a teenager. That story along with a picture of her and the pot is located right *here* on October 5, 2007.

However, I do have an old violin that I cherish as well...a gift from my grandfather who was a self-taught fiddler. I am able to play simple pieces by ear. Discovering that, my grandfather hoped that, if I just had a violin, I would be able to duplicate what I was doing on the piano and the harmonica with it. It never worked out that way. These days I display the violin even though its strings are long gone and the horse hairs of the bow are few. I display it and remember the music and the love of my grandfather. Here's a reenactment...use your imagination as I must now, though I have added some music to the top right for a bit of help with imagining fiddle music, if you'd like to click there.



Treasures of former days fill my home from photographs to old high-top boots. Tea cups, an odd assortment of dishes, old linens — all the things that most women have in their homes. I hope to visit all of you to see your treasures before week's end. Please join the tour by clicking on the description of this week's event above.

Also, I just want to take this opportunity to thank Miss Sandy so much for all of her hard work and all the enjoyment and education that this blog-a-thon has provided us.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

~Thomas Chisholm

For this is God, Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide even to death. ~Psalm 48:14