Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A few of my favorite White Wednesday things....

Oh my , it's soon to be Wednesday again... wow has time been flying! First off, Hi and Welcomed to all of my new followers!!!! Thank you for signing on to check into my little corner of the world. That means soooo much to me!!! Thank you and please come back often!!

Todays pictures are just a random collection of some of my favorites from this past year or so. Some of you may recognize the pictures, but hopefully they'll present themselves as being renewed in some way to you all. 

As we hop through the pictures, I thought I'd answer a couple, few of the most asked questions I received last week in comments and in the sweet emails.

Yep, that profile picture of me is current as of last August. I really am a Nana. My daughter and I have, all her life, been mistaken as sisters. I thank God for giving me my mothers excellent genes!!

Our little fur face, Tuffy is 11 years old this past November. She came to us as a tiny little puff ball of cuteness when she was rescued at the age of 8 weeks old. She's my constant companion. Don't know what I'd do without her!

Oh, now how did that picture of her slide in here?  Oh well, That's a face you gotta love!

yes, I miss my booth- some days. After I closed back at Thanksgiving, I narrowed down the singular aspects I most liked and was successful in by way of my booth. Now that I have a more defined picture, I am aiming more specifically in "that direction".. More to come on that later ;)




Yep, I'm still fasting. This is the last week and well, I'm not entirely sure I'll be stopping with everyone else as I have a great need for an even greater breakthrough in a few areas of my life... 


My latest project?? Wellllll...... It's been really small stuff as I have not physically felt up to the task of the bigger projects that I've completed in years past and I'm actually out of room here in the house to show anymore of my carpentry skills. :o



 Yes, I feel some what better and have been in and out of the doctors office since the fall. My final diagnosis is due next week as I have officially finished all my tests. My kidneys are still screaming as is my heart and lungs from all the inflammation. Turns out, my doctor has been looking to confirm SLE Lupus. It's pretty much a confirmed deal.

But no tears here. I've been in this rodeo more than a few times. It's time to saddle up and strap in!! Besides, I've got waayyy to much to do! My precious GrandBaby is coming! 



I've gotta pack, plan, buy a gorgeous girls dress and a boys suit. No, she's not having twins. She's just a smart Girl who listened to her Mama with the first child and is repeating with the second, to wait until Baby is born to find out the sex. She and her husband so enjoyed the pregnancy journey with Jackson, they wanted to repeat with the 2nd Baby. So we don't know what she's having!! YEAH!!! 

So if I seem a little slow getting around to you all, forgive me. I'm just a little side tracked with much to do ;0      Later this week, I'll probably post the Baby Memory Box that I've been working on for the past week. It's something that I need your opinion about in regard to the final details. I make these boxes all the time for clients, but this one, well it's such a special one that I can't seem to finish it. Tune back in and vote later this week ok?

xoxo,
Ellen

This post will be linking to Faded Charm White Wednesday, French Country Cottage, No Minimalist Here, Vintage Inspiration FridayShow and Tell Friday.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

First White Wednesday

It's still snowing.....

Well, at least Tuffy is having some fun in it! She actually does like to play in this wet, cold stuff.
I tried to make a little snowman for you, but the snow is to powdery. Great for skiing, not so much for making snow people.  So I got busy with the camera to take pictures so I could play along with Kathleen's White Wednesday party.  After yesterdays rather lengthy post, I'm a bit talked out so today I'll be your quiet tour guide and let you just browse. 








 This frame is purposely empty. Isn't it gorgeous!! It has stunning Austrian Crystals and pearls all around and even in the clips on the back. It's waiting to be filled with the picture of my new Grandbaby due in March !!! Nana is trying to contain herself as she writes this, really!!

 Speaking of Grandbabies, the new Baby's Big Brother, Jackson (1 year old at the time), painted this picture for my birthday last year. See the creative talent he has!! It runs in the family I tell ya'.




And just for fun, how about a look back to last spring and summer to remember what is yet to come...






ah, can't you just feel that fragrant spring breeze..... 
The End! 

xoxo,
Ellen

Linking up for Linky parties with Frugalicious Friday and Vintage Inspiration Friday, Show and Tell Friday and Feathered Nest Friday. So be sure to go and mingle with these other creative ladies as well!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Spring Fever and More!


Good Day my Best-est Girls! I pray ya'll had a great weekend. I've much to tell today and could hardly wait for Mr. to leave and go back to work so I could have the computer back... anyway, I've much to show.
First off, here is one of the projects I tinkered with over the weekend. As Marty so accurately put it recently, I've got cabin fever, spring fever, some kind-of-get-me-outta-here fever! So I've been daydreaming of spring days. Remember those days?
I found some left over silk flowers from another project that I'll show you on another day and played around with them trying to figure out something useful to do with them.
Just so happened to be an empty paper towel roll ready for the recycle bin, so I snagged that and cut it to size around the way to skinny stems of the flowers. Something to really grab a hold of, ya' know?

Then I hot glued burlap fabric to the very end of the tube to cover the opening.


To the very top of the tube, I added a strip of lace to cover the not so pretty plastic holder things for the leaves and to cover the little gaps at the top of the tube.

Then I covered the entire tube with burlap and added another strip of lace around the middle.

I also added some of the decorative filler ( that was part of the floral bunch) to the top of the tube to fill in there as it looked kinda' missing something. Looked ok, but overall kinda "blah". So I added a few lengths of lace and 3 rhinestones to the front top.

Once I was done, I was almost content with it, but something about it just did not set well with me and thee against my decor. The flowers were to white. Now, around here, everything is aged,  old, classic and timeless. This newbie was too new. Sooooo....

Tea Bath Time...  What do you think about it now?!! Huh - Huh?? Yeah, mucho' better!! 

Who'd uh thought Dollar Tree silk flowers could look so lovely?
This little beaut is going on display over at  Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays and the Happy Happy Housewife  and Trash to Treasure Tuesday linky parties. 

Now for the news to be shared, (I'm so excited and blushing too) -
See this award:  

Sweet and thoughtful Heather over at The Other White House gave this to me! I almost fell out when I received this from her!  What an honor! Thank you Sweet Girl!

 Now I am to pass it along to some more stylish bloggers as well.  Rules to play along.. 

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Ok, 7 things about me-self....hummm...here goes:

1.) I'm an organizational spaz - gotta have everything in place or else my world is out of order. I think it goes back to my corporate days as a VP of my company and had to  juggle, juggle and juggle and juggle my staffs stuff too... so don't miss that.

2.) I can not sit still- my poor Mother! in looking back at my childhood, it's no wonder she kept me busy with soooo many extracurricular activities when I was little. 

3.) don't tell anyone, but I thrive on change - I get really bored with the same-as-as-same- does routine. I have to have foundational routine, but in the grand scheme of life, I actually like "planned, purposeful, positive change". I detest negative, unplanned life changes. I really like "new". Maybe that's why I'm always moving stuff around in my decor, giving things away and bringing stuff in.....

4.) Speaking of bringing in - my "new" desire is less is more. I am really tired of living under the weight of stuff, so I've let go of lots and lots of things - and I LIKE it!

5.) I love meeting new people and keeping up with old friends - not so easy these days, but you Girls make it easier through Blogworld - thank you , thank you  and thank you!!

6.)  I'm an old black and white movie addict - Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracey, love them!

7.) Last but not least - I'm not and I actually refuse to give way to being on a strict schedule. I'm not a set in stone kinda person. I'll get there when I get there, know what I mean? Sure I abide by appointments and the time that Church starts, but otherwise, unless it's life or death -forget it, if I don't feel like blogging, cleaning, going - it ain't happen'. Life's a journey, not a race, mean't to be enjoyed and appreciated.

Now, for the Passing of the Award. This was REALLY challenging as I've met so MANY awesome and amazing Blog Girls out there and you all deserve an award just for being you!
Ok, Blog Roll please....

Karen at Glass of Sweet Tea -  Karen has been an unquestionable confirming word direct from Daddy every time I've needed to hear from Him. She's my real life Bloggy Friend too, who has lifted many peoples spirits with her realness and humor.

Laura Lynn at Enjoying the Simple Things - Laura Lynn makes me wish I was related to her just so I could hang out with her family 'cause they're always up to something. Humor and her real life self = her way of combining the two is endearing. She has an amazing photogenic eye too!

Sandi at Wayside Treasures - Sandi has this incredible way of giving the warmest hugs over the web... I dunno' how she does it, but she does! I love, love, love her decorating style of mixing the old much loved with the functional everyday pieces.

Kay Ellen at Kay Ellen Design - You've heard me talk about this amazing, decorating multi-talented woman before, but I have to nominate her as well. She has that perfected balance of mixing the mediums in the homes of her clients. And she is so generous, she lets us in on her family life too!

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life - Marty has such unique and inspiring decorating tips and how to's. Her home is soooo warm and inviting the way that she has it all pulled together. Not only does she invite you into her home, but her life happenings too. 

Sandy at Farmhouse Chicks - Sandy is another woman of faith that keeps me encouraged as she takes us all on her journey of life whether it be the inspiring book she is reading or the healthy food plan she is on. She's also got humor!

Kim at Cheap Chic Home - What can I say about Kim?! She literally stole my heart when I found her blog back before Christmas with her realness and humor. She lets us in on everything from what's for dinner to what the glue gun has she done now!

Rondell at Something Nice and Pretty - Rondell is alive with enthusiasm and creativity all throughout her home and life. She'll take you on the journey of her home in its transformation and her amazing thrifty finds.

Julie at Saltbox Treasures - Julie has a beautiful family and home of whom I just discovered a few weeks ago as well. She too, lets you know whats for dinner and keeps you in the know of her decorating achievements and thrifty smart craftiness. 

Ok, that's it! Wow what a post! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Now Go Visit These Amazing People and have a Wonderful day!!

xoxo,
Ellen