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Monday, May 31, 2010

Happy Memorial Day


The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.
Benjamin Disraeli



And I am proud to be American, where at least I know I am free,
and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
and I’ll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today,
‘cuz there ain’t no doubt that I love this land, god bless the USA.
Lee Greenwood

On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation! 
 Thomas William Parsons

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sunday Thoughts


“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”- Psalm 56:4

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Saturday Adventures













This weekend is the Lavender Ridge Farms Lavender Festival. It will run for the Memorial Day Weekend May 29-31, 2010 9am-5pm.  Click on the link to read the flyer and find directions.  If you're in the Gainesville area, stop by!
We headed out from home about 9:00 am.  My sister and brother-in-law came along for the full day adventure.  As you know, we don't really plan out our day or trip route...just however the spirit leads...which always means a good time!
 
  The fields were full of flowers ready to cut.  You can buy plants ready to take home, purchase dried lavender or you can cut your own fresh from the fields.

 The smell of lavender was strong. Just brushing past them as I walked the field emitted their soothing fragrance.
 Lavender Ridge Farm was decked out and ready for all the visitors.

 I loved these little birds.
 There were a lot of vendors this year.  I think there were an over abundance of vintage tablecloths...but I loved looking through every table full!
 More than in years past. 

There were a lot of items, both old and new, 
 and so many cute things to "make a decision about purchasing..."
 and plenty of  herbs and other plant materials to purchase.
Once we left the Farm (Gainesville) we headed to Muenster via a new route. Peter wanted to check out an old saw mill that was in the area.
 Who knew these guys were along the road. The guy on the mower kept waving for us to come on over.  Not sure why I would need his services.  I haven't found a need for any large people on my property.
 Not sure what her deal is!  Why is she with these guys?  Why is she so short?  Why does she have a calf?
 What is with her hand?
Hmmm...this looks familiar! Maybe she knows why the lady is waving.
 
We stopped in Muenster at the Antique Mall along Hwy 82.
 
 From there we headed to Nocona to the Two Blonde's Antique Mall....then on to Bowie.
We saw these windmills along the road and, of course, had to stop and take a picture.  But while, Peter was taking a picture from his side of the car...
 we spotted wild plums from our side of the car.  He headed toward the windmills, and we  headed into the bar ditch to pick plums. 
 Good pickers are hard to come by!

We arrived in Bowie and headed straight to the Red Barn to rummage through the treasures there (and there were plenty!) We didn't have a lot of time in downtown Bowie.  I think the town rolls up the sidewalks at 4:30 on Saturday's.  The whole downtown area was pretty deserted.
 
However, there was time to look through the one shop that was still open.  The owner was very kind and kept her shop open past the five o'clock hour to let us finish shopping.  My sister and I finished looking and left our purchases for the guys to pay for.  We headed outside for a little rocking on the porch.  They guys were still inside digging through some typesetter letters...but we were able to enjoy the afternoon breeze and the quiet streets of Bowie.
 
My favorite sites for the day were this great floor in the back area of the Two Blonds Antique Store.
 
This chair can be found in Bowie at the Red Barn.  Don't think I've ever seen one covered in cowboy boots!
 And'...there's just something about a lamp that has a dress.  I love how these look like ballerinas.
  
 We ended the day at the Prairie House in Little Elm.  We knew they had music on the porch on Saturday nights...but did not know there was karaoke!  Needless to say...some sings better than others!
  
 We had a full day, a lot of fun, and so much laughter. Nothing beats a "gypsy" kind of day!
Till tomorrow...debi

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Blackberries & Figs

Today is our water day.  I like to go out early (before the sun comes up) and get the hose set to where I want to begin watering.  Once the sun is up I enjoy a walk around the yard to see what's happening in the garden. 
The wild roses are almost finished with their blooms.  I love when the bush is loaded with blooms.  This small bush is the last to bloom since it sits closest to the shade.  The large bushes are pretty well finished blooming. I wish they would last all summer...especially the smells!
This is my favorite time year...blackberries are ripening.
We have SO MANY this year.  I've already begun gathering new blackberry recipes to try.

It also looks like there will be a large bonus of figs this year.

But, I'll be able to enjoy them if I can keep that crazy Mockingbird from eating them all!
Guess I'll have to start a Fig recipe file (Mom...I'll need the fig jelly recipe!)
Till tomorrow...debi

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Cushion Sewing

At it again...or still! I'm back to recovering cushions.  Seems to be the never ending job - torecover Emily's cushions.  They appear to be multiplying upstairs!  Originally she had the two love seats and I recovered the cushions to complete one love seat and the seat cushions to the second love seat - then I ran out of material  I was using a "sample bolt" from my friend and actually had enough to do quite a bit with the amount of fabric on the bolt.  Unfortunately...we had to order the second bolt to complete the back cushions of the love seat.   Then...miracle of all miracles...Emily was given the matching couch to go with the incomplete love seat.  Now there were three more backs and there more seat cushions to recover...and more material to order!


We spent a full evening pulling apart the seat cushions so I could begin the sewing process (still have the backs to rip apart!)  We saved the zippers, but the old cording was in bad shape to try and reuse.
I covered them with new batting to stabilize the foam and give a little bit of firmness to the seats.
Then comes the "diggly" work (as my mother-in-law is fond of calling it.)
Creating the zippers

and more zippers....
and creating miles and miles of cording.
and half way through...more cording.

Oh...and more cording!

AND...I still think I will need to make more! HA!
Till tomorrow...debi

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Out of the box...my box!

I've laid out some plans for this summer to step out of my box.  My first "outing" from the box was to enter a quilt challenge sponsored by our local quilt shop and the downtown merchants called
Small Town Summer.

The Quilts were to reflect what summer in a small town means to me – picnics, family, food, ants, whatever comes to mind!
The Quilts will be on display in our downtown shops for voting, and prizes will be awarded to the top 10 quilts as voted by the public.
Here is my entry...
Porches with Flags
I love porches decked out with flags! The Flags (and colorful bunting) go up for Memorial Day and stay up for Flag Day, 4th of July and on through Labor Day!

This picture of the Faires House at Chestnut Square Historic Park was my inspiration piece.  Of course, I did take some artistic liberties, but that's the fun of creating! (I needed a chair to sit on to enjoy my drink!)


If you're in the area, I hope you'll vote for my quilt.  So many wonderful goodies to win!

Until tomorrow,
debi

Monday, May 17, 2010

Reading List



Put Your Dream To The Test by John Maxwell is a challenging and encouraging title for anyone who is wondering about whether or not their specific dream should be pursued.


Maxwell will help you evaluate your dream/goal with systematic questions which form the foundation for each chapter's focus. The 10 questions are:


1. The Ownership Question: Is my dream really my dream?
2. The Clarity Question: Do I clearly see my dream?
3. The Reality Question: Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?
4. The Passion Question: Does my dream compel me to follow it?
5. The Pathway Question: Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?
6. The People Question: Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?
7. The Cost Question: Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?
8. The Tenacity Question: Am I moving closer to my dream?
9. The Fulfillment Question: Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?
10. The Significance Question: Does my dream benefit others?

Dr. Maxwell helps you to create and clarify the right answers, giving you principles and tips so you can make good decisions and maximize every moment to attain your dream.
 
So, whether you've lost sight of an old dream or you are searching for a new one within you, Put Your Dream to the Test provides a step-by-step action plan that you can start using today to recognize, own, and reach your dream.
 
Read, enjoy, and be encouraged! Most importantly...be challenged to study and reflect on your dream and to follow it with all your passion!


I have heard that a good follow up to this book is Andy Stanley's Visioneering.  I think I'll have to "slip it in" to my reading list.
 
 
Till tomorrow...
debi

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunday Thoughts

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”- Ecclesiastes 11:5

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Mt. Dora, Florida - continued

I loved this little studio, The Painter's Daughter.  There was an art gallery upstairs, and downstairs there were antiques intermixed with new clothes and accessories.
The outside of the gallery had some very interesting plants along the sidewalk area...


metal corn in the garden...
and a beautiful basket on the entry steps.

This sign also greeted us as we entered the gallery.
"She" was right inside the door...and upon further investigation I noted a quote on her hat.
Interesting, don't you think?

There are many wonderful shops jammed full of gift items
You hardly know where to look!
...this room was full of "beach" stuff!
The shop owners are happy and helpful!  Makes it easy to spend your money! HA!!
One of the things I find most "odd" in Florida is the amount of shells for sale in many of the antique malls.  Really?  Antique shells?
I thought this cute little "vignette" was very "beachy"! 

There is a wonderful clock repair shop in the old hotel downtown.  So many to choose from, along with watches and other table top clocks.

This was one of the only antique stores open on a Tuesday afternoon. 

I think this lampshade was my favorite find of the day.  I took a picture of the three images on the shade.

Too bad it was so large...
Just knew I couldn't stuff it into an already full suitcase!

All in all...we had a great day in Mount Dora.  RT was able to join us for the day, so not only did Peter enjoy taking pictures of all the great old architecture in the town, RT and I were able to roam in and out of all the shops and look as long as we liked.  
 So...if you are in the "region" be sure and make a trip to Mount Dora, Florida.  Great "small town" with friendly people!