A gift from nature...

My sweet friend Teresa blessed me with a large bag of

"horse apples" from her field...

I just LOVE "horse apples"!

look at their color!

and the texture!

aren't they glorious!!?

I decided to fill one of my large glass hurricanes with them...

I then added some fabric strips, a bow, and a few "recycled" tags...
(the "recycled" tags are from the amazing packaging
from one of my favorite shops! visit Jeanne,
order something delightful and then "recycle"
the packaging in your decorating too!)

I placed the hurricane next to a little table in the entry...

just inside the front doors...

It makes me smile each time I walk by and see my

"gift from nature!"

Have a lovely day!

Many Blessings!

From the pumpkin patch...

the one in my little studio that is...

some of my favorite fabrics...
all patched up!


a nice "sugar" (a.k.a. glitter) coating...
for a little sparkle!


topped with a lovely ribbon...

so much fun to create!

and now to be enjoyed in the kitchen!

Happy Monday!

Many Blessings!

One, two...

pretty my shoe...

three, four...
Oh, what a bore!


five, six...
add a few tricks...

seven...

layers and layers with sparkles are heaven!

eight...

ruffles and rhinestones are great!

nine...

Oh, these would be fine...

ten...

but with these, I think I'll begin!

(note: the ballet flats are from Target...lots of colors to choose from!

and only $12.99! Happy embellishing!)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Many Blessings!

"The Thoughtful Gift"

For special occasions (and sometimes just because)

I like to give the children a "thoughtful gift".

It always consists of a special note along with a small gift.

Last week...

the night before his birthday, the prince said...

"I wonder what my 'thoughtful gift' is this year?"

I couldn't believe it!!!

just goes to show you-

it really is the little things that are the BIG things!

Have a happy day!

Many Blessings!

Welcome Fall!

It's official!

Now you may come in!

Slowly adding a little fall...

here and there around the house...

hope to do a little more this weekend!

How about you?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Many Blessings!

14 years ago...

on this very day...

I got the job I had always wanted!

the one I had hoped and dreamed of since

just a little girl...

the one I had spent years praying for...

to be a MOM!

This little guy stole my heart from the moment
I first saw him!

and forever he will hold it!

Happy Birthday dear Prince!

Thank you for giving me the greatest job on earth!

I feel so truly Blessed!

All my love- always!

Mom

Five little pumpkins...

all in a row...

created with lots of love and special details...

rich yummy fabrics...

and vintage jewels too!

all tied up and ready to go!

then placed on this tray...

where this Fall they will stay!

Happy Fall!

Many Blessings!

Let's face it...

there is truly nothing better than a delicious

made-from-scratch

melt-in-your-mouth

cookie!

even better when they're made with love...

to look just like your family...

(thanks to my kitchen helper Princess #2)

Quite possibly one of the best cookies I have ever enjoyed!

Cookies:

1 stick unsalted butter softened
1/3 cup superfine sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
few drops of vanilla extract

Glace' Icing:

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
about 1 1/2 Tbsp water- or until desired consistency

Mix butter and sugar together, sift together the flour and salt
and mix into the butter mixture, add the vanilla to form fairly stiff dough.
(if the dough is too dry, add a little water)
Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters in desired shapes.
Bake at 350' for 10-15 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

for the icing:
mix confectioners' sugar and water in bowl until desired consistency,
spread on cooled cookies- when set, decorate!

Enjoy!

Happy Monday!
Many Blessings!

Never forget...

Many thoughts and prayers

on this anniversary

of a day we should never forget!

September 11, 2001

"Mad for Plaid"!

Oh, yes it's true!

I simply had to create...

a fun little posie to add

a dash of plaid to the plain!

a more "fancy" festive version...

to create quite a stir...

Oh! and did I mention?

a necklace this one can be!

and why I couldn't forget!-

a little bit country this plaid posie prefers!

Each one different- yet somewhat the same...

for they all seem to say,

"I'm mad for plaid!"

Have a happy day!

Blessings!

Table for one!

The other day I lunched outside...

at our little bistro table on the patio...

I had just a simple lunch-

a sandwich and a few fresh strawberries.

I set the table with a cloth I love...

cut a few roses...

and even tied my napkin with a ribbon...

as I sat enjoying the sounds of the waterfall splashing

into the pool and the birds singing...

I thought- about nothing really...

just a few daydreams here and there...

it seemed that my simple lunch became so much more...

a gift- to myself...

a quiet moment...a time to be still...

a time to catch my breath and count my Blessings...

from such a simple moment came such a glorious time!

all at a "table for one"!

Have a lovely day!

Many Blessings!

LuLu says...

Happy September!!!

Fall is just "nipping" at summer's heels...

as the temperatures begin to cool...

why not embellish a plain scarf to enjoy?

(preferably one found on sale!- like I found -at Target...

for under $4.00!!)

so many ideas to add a little "happy" to a scarf!!!

ruffles,

polka-dots,

& of course posies!

all made from fun materials

and embellished with sequins and beads!


What a sweet gift idea too!

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!
Many Blessings!