Hidden Treasures - Little Surprises!

Throughout my home, I have little treasures and surprises hidden here & there. This photo is of a bird house my dad and I made together (actually, he did nearly every part of of the bird house and I tailgated). The rest of the stack is a pile of vintage jewelry boxes. Inside are lots of wonderful buttons laying on a bed of amber velvet.

This little tin medicine cabinet hangs in my powder room. When you turn the right side wooden knob a little mechanical slide allows the doors to open. Inside is delightful.

In this photo you can see my chunky little pitcher, a collapsible tin cup, little Miss Beauty and a wonderful pink box.

The second shelf has just as many goodies. I love this kitten, it reminds me of the same molded plaster kitten my sister, Shelly painted grey when we were kids. She had a grey cat named Mitten. Aren't these little baskets wonderful? And, just as you suspected, there is a treasure inside the little present box. When you come and visit my home, feel free to look inside!
I hope this has inspired you to tuck treasures & surprises around your home!

Prayer Pins

I've always loved pins and brooches. I have little boxes of them tucked in my top dresser drawer, pinned on other lovelies and here, in a beautiful hobnail candy dish. Can you see the cute little Avon girl? Her face opens and there is perfume inside. My mom gave my sisters and I each one of these pins when we were little girls. She always makes me smile when I open the candy dish to grab a brooch.

Pins and brooches are more than an accessory to me. In my busy day, I hate to admit it, but I often times forget to pray. I use these beauties to remind me to pray for a specific person. If someone is going through a tough time or I'm just so thankful that person is in my life; I'll don the pin or brooch I associate with that person. Every time someone comments on the pin, I see it reflected in a mirror or I brush my had against it, it reminds me to lift my special person up in prayer.

Blessings!

When you see me wearing
this beautiful booch,
I am praying for my sister,
Cathe and her family.

My dear, sweet friend,
Sue gave me this wonderful pin.
I pray for her everytime I wear it.
It's such a delicate rose.

This is my 'Rose' brooch.
Whenever I wear this sweetness,
I am praying for my dear friend, Rose.

Potato Soup

Nothing warms the soul like thick, hardy bowl of potato soup. I love to make this dish because every ingredient is normally already around the kitchen. It's not important how much of each ingredient is used; only that the process and type of ingredients are considered. This is a very non-intimidating recipe. Enjoy!

What you'll need:

Large pot

Big spoon to stir with

Potato masher

Small bowl

Wisk

~

Bacon

Onion

Garlic

Butter

Flour

Cream

Chicken broth

Potatoes

~

To taste; shredded cheese, salt and pepper

As you can tell, I don't have fancy kitchen equipment. I like the feel of cooking the way my grandmother did; use what you have. (I would not be opposed to a new stove though!)

To get started, cut bacon in to about one inch pieces. I used a pound of smoked bacon. In a large pot, brown bacon until crisp. Do not cook too fast, you want to avoid any burning. Once crisp, scoop out bacon and drain on paper towel. Cut onion (I used sweet yellow and green onions) in coarse pieces, mince garlic (I ran out so I used garlic powder), and add a couple of table spoons of butter to bacon grease. Cook just until onion is soft. Be careful, garlic burns easily. Once your onion mixture is cooked, add some flour; I use enough to absorb most of the grease while maintaining a fluid consistancy. Stir until completely blended.

Cut potatoes in large cubes. Place potatoes in onion mixture and stir to coat potatoes with the wonderful flavors. Add chicken broth (or make broth by following the directions on the chicken bullion jar) enough to just cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil stirring as to not allow ingredients to stick to the bottom of the pot. Cook until potatoes are soft. Once potatoes are done, use your potato masher and mash one time around the pot to add to the wonderful thickness of the broth.

In a small bowl, sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of flour. Pour enough cream to keep a liquid consistency. To prevent curdling, dip out a couple of cups of hot soup broth and gradually pour flour & cream mixture into the broth. Now, pour entire mixture back in the pot and gently stir. Your potato soup is now done. Add the crisp bacon, graded cheese, fresh cracked black pepper and salt to taste. Voila!

I Won!

That's the way I feel every time I am with my granddaughter, Lillian Marie. She is so lovable and lets me smooch and smooch her chub-cheeks as much as I want without a budge. She holds her hand out to me so I'll kiss her palm. For the past 9 months I have had liquid delight flow through my veins because of her sweetness. The greatest prize; being a grandma!

Until Next Year

Whoever came up with the idea to decorate the drab winter months with tinsel, glitter and lights was brilliant. For years I have been collecting vintage ornaments and Christmas decorations. I hold them in my hands as if they are new born chick precious, delicate, and all mine! I often wonder when I find these treasures at tag sales and thrift store who could have possibly have parted with them. I feel blessed to be the rescuer of these magnificent thrill makers.

Each year I treat myself to a new-to-me vintage ornament. Okay, you busted me...I treat myself anytime I find one, but each year I do go scrounging to the depths of what others might call trash to find (rescue) a vintage holiday ANYTHING.

This year I found the most lovely of lovelies, a velvet vintage bell music box with wonderful ornate trim. You can see it here in my bedroom on my loveseat with the sweet baby deer. The vintage wool felt and sequence candle pillow I also purchased this holiday season at a nearby thrift store for $2. She looks so happy to be at my house!

How can I possibly think of putting these diamonds of the past away until next year? Below are Christmas items I leave on display inside a curio cabinet in my living room all year.

These next photos are of my bathroom. Again, I keep these goodies out all year...can't help it.

The cutie-pie with the feather skirt is a find from this season. Isn't she adorable?

I love my flour sack Santa, he's so friendly. I probably won't keep him out all year but he is a nice surprise every late November when I unpack him. So, until next year.

Romantic Homes!

What an honor it is to be one the 'romantics that inspire' in February's edition of Romantic Homes. My all time favorite magazine is more than just a periodical; it's a resource for anyone that loves the softer side of life. The Shopkeeper's section is a must for small business owners.

The beautiful photographs are by Heidi & Matt Giles of Freedom Photography (their business card with their adorable son is clipped to the open page in photo). Freedom is located just down the street on historic Commercial Street, Springfield, MO. I'm blessed to have so much talent near by!

I hope you will rush out and purchase the February edition of Romantic Homes and if you live in the area stop by for a cover price discount at Red Books & Chairs located at 215 W. Commercial Street.

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What Are You Waiting For?

Each year around this time, most people set a New Year's Resolution. Those little somethings we've been meaning to take care of and keep putting off until the new year.

All year we collect and push our goals until the all mighty January rolls around. I'm the worst! I have never been good at a New Year's Resolution. Now that I think about it; I'm not so sure I've been good at a resolution at any time of the year. Maybe it's the fear of failure, humiliation, self (or other's) disappointment. I honestly can't say.

A few months ago while thinking out loud about something I wanted, a friend piped in and asked, "What are you waiting for?" I'm not sure she really intended to get an answer but those words resonated in my head. What AM I waiting for? The stars to finally align, the Farmer's Almanac to give a hint, a burning bush perhaps? Truth is...I'm waiting for courage.

Trusting yourself is difficult when the territory is unchartered. Oh, I know. That's the excitement, the risk, the thrill of it all. But somehow, more often than not, the lack of self trust wins out.

Not this year! What's different? That little voice that kept whispering, "What are you waiting for?" is now starting to shout.

I already have used it to do cleaning that I put off until the proverbial Spring. I quit waiting to purchase healthy foods since they are located right next to the other kind. I have begun to put things I want to do ahead of things that I feel should be done (I'm sewing more!). I hope the list will continue to those things that take self trust and courage.

So, if you struggle with a resolution and need changes in your life then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?