Grandma's Moss Roses

My Mother-in-law had planters around her pool full of flowers every summer. She liked to grow Moss Roses. We got one of her vintage planters, which I just love, except it has a nice big crack down the side of it. Oh well. It's still pretty and usable. Now mind you, it came to our house empty...just a plain old pot with a crack. I put one of the plants we received from her funeral in it, but it died this winter (ok, I probably killed it...ugh). If you want a house plant to live, don't give it to me. :)

It's been on the back porch this spring...just a pot with dirt...sitting there waiting for me to do something with it. A few weeks ago, something started growing in it. I thought it was a weed, although a pretty little weed and decided to let it grow to see what it would turn out to be.

Low and behold, I went outside Mother's Day morning and found a Moss Rose in bloom. Holy Cow...ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Mother's Day...of all the days of the year, it could bloom, it bloomed on Mother's Day?!!! The more I thought about it, the more impressed I was. I decided she came to see us, to tell us she loved us. Logically, she probably didn't...it was just God showing us a sweet bit of grace and tender love on this special, yet difficult day.

The facts are that the pot came to our home empty and out of no where, a year and a half later, a Moss Rose bloomed on Mother's Day. I figure maybe a seed was trapped in the crack or something and finally took root. Who knows....but I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. It was the sweetest thing that has happened to us in a long time.

 

I don't believe in coincidences.

Home from College

They move out - they move back in. They move out - they move back in.
Girl Child has returned from her first year in college. Um, sure she was only 30 minutes away but what's that to a Mother? She might as well be on Mars - cause she's my baby and the home was missing her light and presence. We're all going to enjoy the "friendship" she brings to our family. She's a delightful companion to have in your life. And did I mention she's a hard worker? We're kinda like tag-team home makers. Maybe that's not healthy, but she's been such a big help (a God send...thank God for my good daughter!!!!) to me all these years since my back was ruined 4 years ago in a fender bender. I'm so proud of the woman she has become...she's such a wonderful, happy, witty, faithful joy in our life.
3 months with her, then she'll move back out - hopefully to move back in, again and again....cuz it's gonna be hard to let her go. Awwww...as I type this, I hear her foot steps over head just waking up...what a sweet sound to hear the feet of your child creaking across the floor upstairs...   I just read this page on my Kindle, a free Grace Livingston Hill download, and it made me smile at this familiar feeling. The context is a Presbyterian minister watching his just returned daughter sweeping the front porch:   "...as he wrote an article..... he was more keenly alive to the song on the lips of his child, who had but lately returned from college life in one of the great universities for women. He smiled as he wrote, and a light came in his deep thoughtful eyes. She had gone and come, and she was still unspoiled, mentally, physically, or spiritually. That was a great deal to have kept out of life in these days of unbelief. He had been almost afraid to hope she would come back the same." "The City of Fire", 1922

Just thought it was interesting that parents were worried about the same things for their daughters back in 1922. As Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun.

 

Hooches and Smugs

(((group hug)))

My hero, Fred Sanford

At least I've got good taste...in trash. I know good trash when I see it and I'm not too proud to stop and pick it up. I love antiques and vintage things, but I'm super, super, super cheap. FREE from a generous trash can is the BEST price. Score!!

 

It was trash night over by Tom Daniels Elementary in Kerrville, Texas. I talked my friend into driving around with me. It was so much fun laughing with her (she's been my best friend since 6th grade), digging through "safe" trash. We didn't touch anything that looked scary....ewwww.

Funny thing about this fan. I have wanted one for years and years but was too cheap to buy one. I saw one at an estate sale last year and it was marked ridiculously low. Someone grabbed it before I could. Snap! (Look out....cat fight at the estate sale....no, not really, I would never do that...really!) A cheaper one will come my way, I just KNOW it. Hahaha...well I found this one. I'll make my husband clean it up. I doubt we can get it to work. Anyhoo...I was stoked when I found it.

 

 

No needlepoint goes to the landfill on my watch. This was on a chair and the chair was beyond salvageable, so I pulled the seat off. Don't know what I'll do with this yet, but it will become something pretty in our home, I'm thinking maybe a pillow or I'll frame it.

Big huge enamelware bowl. The apple in there is a large Granny Smith. It was filthy but cleaned up perfectly and sparkly and shiny. Yes!!

 

I love, love, love vintage garden stuff. I haven't figured out what I'm going to do with this rake piece yet. My immediate thought was to use it in a window treatment I need. Now I'm changing my mind. Hmmmm... Check out those cool pots in the background! One almost looks like a turnip. LOL I love the green one the most though. Pot with the green chipped paint....I LOVE YOU!!!

James 1: 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above

Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Psalm 34:10 …But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

Hooches and Smugs!!

(((Group Hug)))

Cathedral Window Quilt ~ Hand Piecing

Handwork is perfect for me and has been since I was about 5 years old when my grandma started teaching me all the domestic arts.   It forces me to sit still like a good girl, while yet still being able to keep my hands busy.
We live in a busy, overstimulated world. Hurry, hurry, hurry! Handwork is a disciplined patience trainer. It teaches you to respect time, rather than forcing the clock to respect you and your goals.   You are at the mercy of the slow pace set by your handwork. Any handwork I do centers me, helps my spirit focus on what I should be thinking or praying.    It's a literal mind sweep for me.   I'm really digging all the gorgeous, machine pieced, nicely pressed windows out there. I might give it a try. But I'm also a big fan (or maybe just lazy) of the humbled, muslin, primitive, less than perfect look. I hand pieced all my muslin squares and no matter how hard I tried, none of them were perfect.   I like it like that.   One nice little trick I'm using this time is I had a ton of Moda Petit Four sample collection I have 1,000's of 2 1/2 squares precut, but I thought it would be fun to use up my Moda sample squares.   Hyena-in-Petticoats I like how she pieced this with the machine and also stuck a tiny piece of batting under the 2 1/2 in square for extra warmth. Each little square becomes a tiny pillow. My Florida cathedral window quilt will not be including batting, however. :)   Making Ends Meet I love how she used colored background. Love, love, love the grey! My next cathedral window will use a colored background, when I finish this one in 20 years.   Sometimes Crafter A nice tutorial, lots of links and pretty pictures!! Oh my!   Warm In The North CW pillow tutelage!       Here is more of the Cathedral Window Story.       

Party Decorating idea

Here is a great way to decorate your table for a party. Buy a can of peanuts and set a candle on top. I hope you've been inspired in your visit to my blog today.
((((group hug))))

Such a great response. I never expected so many questions. As you can see, I purchased the peanuts at Publix and I believe I used salted, as salt adds to the glittery elegance. I also used a Party Lite candle purchased at a garage sale, so not only does this make a beautiful table display, it's economical as well...which means you'll have more money to spend on.......PEANUTS!!! A display for peanuts...or of peanuts.......

Please feel free to email me with any more questions. Blessings and Peace! Blessings and Peace!