Along the Way

Remember yesterday started like this for me.

What a great surprise!!!

Well, somewhere along the way this happend! Another little surprise........

Now in case you are wondering exactly what this is, this is what a portion of my car now looks like.

While sitting at a stop sign on my way home, ready to make a left turn toward home this happened. A little red SUV was coming around the curve slightly on the fast side, as she went to make the turn she lost control and came straight into the side of my car.

Needless to say it was a little scary. I saw that she had lost control and was coming straight for me. I was afraid she was going to hit my door. I had put the car in park and was trying get out of my seatbelt to move to the other side and avoid the hit, when her vehicle hit towards the tire and just above my door .

Afterwards I came home and had to have a few of these. One a day is usually my limit, but not today!

As I wait for the insurance adjuster to call today, I am clearly reminded of God's protection for me. It could have been much worse and instead was just a fender bender. Please pray that our car is not totalled. I know it looks minor, but where it hit has caused the car to drive a little odd and because we drive a vehicle forever it is not worth much. The insurance could end up totalling it because that might be their cheapest way out, but not for us. My husband has reminded me that this did not catch God by surprise and He has a plan for us, as a matter of fact it is a good one.......Jeremiah 29:11.

I have rambled long enough today. I hope each and every one of you has a blessed day!

Jackie

Surprise, Surprise!!!!!!

Today started with this little surprise. Kim from The Hancock Family sent this little award over my way. She was so sweet and kind to think of me, since I am not a seasoned blogger and I am still in the learning stages. I hope you will please be patient, and hopefully you will begin to see some improvement. About Kim, you will love her. From what I see she is down to earth, an encourager and wants to spread some sunshine to others. Give her a visit and you'll be glad you did! There are specific instructions that must be followed in order to maintain such status in blog world though, so here they are:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.
The best of the best... check them out...


1. Susie Harris at Bienvenue would be one of my inspirations to begin my blog. Not only does she have a beautiful home, make the greatest tassels you'll ever see, but she is REAL and it shows!

2. Shannon at Bless our Nest is a full time nanny to the most adorable little guy, and you will not want to miss her great decorating ideas.

3. Joys of Home is just that a joy and inspiration to vist.

4. Dawn at Gahan Girls made a most kind offer to after my first visit. You will want to run over for a visit, kick your shoes off and stay a while.

5. Liz at Mabels House is someone you will definitely want to meet. I visit daily. She is a talented writer, has the cutest home and an adorable sidekick...Mabel.

6. Lipstick and Laundry has a cute little etsy shop. She will share some great ideas with you, but most of all has a love for family and friends.

7. V & Co is a truly amazing mom and wife! or at least I think so. She makes some of the most beautiful quilts, cares for her family all while her husband is deployed in Afghanistan(I think this is correct). Send some encouragement and prayers her way.

Kim thanks again for the award!It was such an encougagement for day I have had. Details later, I will just say God's protection for me was evident today.

Thanks for all the encouragement that you ladies have been to me. I had planned on doing this much earlier, but circumstances did not allow.

Blessings,

Jackie

Collections...

Some of you were asking about hanging a collection of white or cream plates so today I am showing a couple of collections. Please forgive the quality of the photos. A new camera is moving up on the list .

Below are the plates in what we call "The Room". It used to be our garage. Please overlook the lack of window treatments. In this room we have our TV, our computer, a table where most sewing projects take place. More room to spread out. When our little company (aka Chloe )leaves I will try to show a little more.

This is just a collection of creamers hanging on a shelf in my dining room. As you can see I like the white and cream china. Oops that one on the bottom shelf is a little out of place.

Again the quality of this picture does not do it justice, but this is an iris that my son did when he was taking art classes in high school that hangs over a bench in my living room. One of these days I will get everything fluffed for a full house tour.

Have a blessed day!

Jackie

Seeing Double?

No, you are not seeing double. For those of you who guessed I would be switching my son for a four legged creature, you were correct. This is not the best picture but Chloe is on the left, my daughters mininature schnauzer, and Stella, my little girl is on the right. This should be an interesting two weeks. You see Chloe is about 6 or 7 months old, and Stella is about 7 years old. Chloe likes to play and be a little bully non stop, but Stella on the other hand is more laid back and likes to have her rest. Stella usually gives in and lets Chloe take over. I will actually have to put Chloe up a few times a day just to give little Stella a break.
Wrestling
Stella Resting.
Chloe and her stick.

By the way, this is resting for Chloe.

Have a great day. I'll be busy!

Jackie

Quick Switch......

I am making a quick switch in more ways than one. I started an earlier post today, while I was holding on the phone for quite some time. After I received an answer to a somewhat frustrating situation, I decided that bringing in the day with such a negative post was not the greeting to start the day with, so I am making a switch.

The second switch will be tomorrow when I travel to my daughters . I will be switching my boy and a packed car of items to be used for renovating the home they have just purchased. I will be bringing a little something back with me when I return Saturday. I will be sure to post some pictures but until I am back on Monday, I'll let you guess what I will be bringing home with me. What do you think it might be? Until then have a blessed and safe weekend.

Jackie

Busy Kitchen!

There has not been a kitchen explosion , I promise!

Just a few more preserves being made.
I am off to pick a few more figs this morning so I will have one more double batch. I also have some peaches that I will be working on a little later today.

Yesterday I had some help from my sweet son. We picked more blueberries for the freezer. You can guess what kind of dessert I will be making more of.

Next will be the pears, since they are not quite ready yet. Thank goodness!

I am enjoying all of this, since it has been quite some time since I made large quantities of jellies. This will make great gifts for Christmas with a loaf of homemade bread?

What are you getting ready for Christmas? Hope you will share lots of ideas.

Hope you are having fun in the kitchen!

Jackie

Simple Things

This morning I was thinking about what I should post. Not much creativity going on, this weekend. I want to be very real in my posts, so here it is, a few of the simple things that my sweet husband and I enjoyed this weekend. Hope you enjoy too!

A row of sunflowers that turned out not to be quite as large as the package indicated.

Up Close

A bucket of corn from two young salemen that a friend and I purchased which turned out to be quite interesting. I will just say what we ended up with tasted very good!

Last but not least the strawberry fig preserves that I made from the figs we picked. Sometimes for me it is the simple things that bring the most enjoyment. How about you?

Have a blessed day!

Jackie

Giveaway!

Dawn over at gahangirls.blogspot.com is having a giveaway in celebration of her 200th post. Hop on over if you would like to enter.

Temptation

Just thought I'd leave you with an easy tasty treat for the weekend. Actually this went to work with my sweet husband this morning. And believe me, I debated on whether or not to go ahead and cut it, so I could sneak a slice for me.
*Pour in greased bundt pan and

if desired.

Easy Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix

1 Small Box Instant Chocolate Pudding

1/2 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Oil

3/4 Cup Water

4 Eggs

8 Oz. Sour Cream

1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

*Combine first 3 ingredients

*Add everything else(except chocolate chips)

*Beat until smooth

*Stir in chocolate chips

bake 350 degrees for 1 hour. Actually mine was about 5o minutes, it will just depend on your oven.

*Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar

Have a great weekend and enjoy!

Jackie

"Pitcher" Perfect

Here are a few of the latest thrifted finds.

My sweet daughter brought home the pitcher and bowl on the left from their church yard sale, it reminds me of my great grandmothers . The pitcher on the right was one that I found recently. I would like to find a special place for the bowl and pitcher. Do you have any suggestions?

Here is another that she brought home for me. I don't know a lot about it other than it is old and she has a yellow one just like it. Does anyone know what kind of pottery this is? It unique and because I like pitchers it is a keeper.

Prop Up Your Feet!

I am pleased to announce, that I procrastinated no longer and finished the ottoman last night. Don't look to close cause it's definitely not perfect!

I don't know if anyone else out there struggles with this, but sometimes I have such a fear of goofing up a project, that I put off even starting on it, silly I know. I am such an amateaur seamstress, so sewing projects are the worst for me. My sweet husband and children say I just lack a little(lot of) confidence.

Now I am on to the next project, for today it will be a little cleaning and laundry. Have a blessed day!

Jackie

Creative Moment

While catching up on some blog reading this evening, I had a burst of creativity and thought I would share it with you. I was needing a unique gift for a sweet friends belated birthday, and here is what I came up with. My photography is not very good so please forgive me and don't look too close at the imperfections.

I took my thrift store fork and bent the prongs to make a stand for my verse, and there you have my customized birthday present. Total cost: Maybe $1.00. I have one of these that I use to display scripture, hold recipe cards, grocery list, etc. All you will need is a fork from the thrift store, scrapbook paper, double sided tape, ribbon and hot glue for the bow.

What easy birthday ideas do you have to share?

Have a blessed day! Jackie

Good Things

I will be away from posting for a while, since my son and daughter will both be home. When I return I hope to finallly have the ottoman finished and some pictures to share around the house. I thought I would leave you with a delicious and easy summer pie to try. The wonderful thing is this makes two.


Mandarin Orange Pie:


2 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1 Can Sweet Condensed Milk
1/2 Cup Lemon Juice
1 Large Cool Whip
1 Large Can Mandarin Oranges Cut into bits.

*Mix milk and lemon juice*Add Cool Whip & fold *Add Oranges * Pour into pie crust and refrigerate until firm. I usually do this in the AM to serve PM.
Hope you enjoy!

New LOOK!

Thanks to Lena @ Simply Fabulous Blog Templates I have a new look today. My effort to try to spruce things up around here.

Speaking of sprucing things up a bit, here is a picture of the ottoman update. Hopefully I will be able to figure out the top today. Air compressors and nail guns are wonderful friends until you make a mistake(which of course I did). Stay tuned for the finished project.

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th! My son is home for a few weeks so if my posting is not regular we are probably spending time together. He has promised to help greatly with the yard sale project, so we will be cleaning out the closets, attic, storage building ,etc. You get the idea. I still am amazed at how much STUFF I can accumulate. How much stuff do you have? What are your guidelines on what you keep and what you let go of. How many sets of dishes do you have and just when is enough, enough?

FABULOUS FLAG-FLYING FOURTH!

Yesterday I was thinking about what to post, since the ottoman project is going a little slower than expected, and I wandered upon Kari and Kijsa's fabulous flag flying fourth party and decided to join in.

The Lord also brought a verse to mind as I was thinking about our nation's birthday.It is my hope this will be our desire.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

Have a blessed and safe 4th!

Point of No Return

This is the ottoman I started working on today. Looking at this, I bet you are wondering why I would slipcover it. Well the picture does not show all of the loads of hot glue that are all over the fabric, from the former .........slipcover! The pictures improve the look drastically. I have never tackled a project like this, but with the help of my DH being my sounding board for ideas, I think I am ready. I would like to tell you that I will post the finished product tomorrow, but we will see. This will definitely be a learn as you go project, since I am an amateaur at best. It has reached the point of no return, since I have made some cuts to the skirt of the ottoman and unless I want an unfininshed project here, I will have to get with it. Stay Tuned For The Finished Product.

BEFORE

DURING

Sweet Addiction

I have been away the past few days visiting my son. We live in a small town, but he lives in a larger one, with more of a variety of places to visit. This could definitely become addicting for me(see above picture). Who ever knew bagels could taste so good. What's your favorite place to visit while you are away? Hope you all had a great weekend.