I have a follower!! And I did manage to get one project finished...

I am soooo Happy!!!

I have my first follower listed to my blog...

I know many of you follow, and I LOVE YOU for it!!

Everyone makes little ole me feel so special

by following my blog...

and just in case I have forgotten

to say so...

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!

:D

I had discovered a new blog belonging to Esther, of Charmed Era...

It was her first post.

You should all drop by some time...

give her some encouragement too!!!

Next of all I would love to show you some

of my wonderful Autum decorations...

unfortunately I have not gotten much of

my outside done...

so here are a couple from last year!!

I will show you some of the others

as I get them done..

THIS WEEK!!!

Inside and Out! ;-)

Here are my pumpkin decorations in the yard...

and at the end of the driveway... mailbox!

Now for my finished project...

You all helped me to get it done...

I took a poll on which ones you all liked

I had several that voted...

(And once again THANK YOU!!!)

The finally votes were for:

The following Hummingbirds...

Allen, Ana, Blue-throated,

Pennant-tailed, and Ruby -throated!!

Well, it wasn't easy but I studied the pics...

decided on some of your choices...

It was between 3 choices...

and after much thought...

Here are the winners!!!

I hope you like them as much as I do... and here is the finished bench!!

It sets on my front porch with a command sitting spot to watch all of the Hummingbirds fight over my two feeders!!! Between the grandchildren, my hubby and myself we spend quite a bit of time on this wonderful bench!! I am just soooooo Ecstatic to have it finished!!!

I also have been working on other projects... some I cant show... (Sue's) and so I will show you one that I have been trying to figure out what to do with... I haven't finished it yet... but hopefully tomorrow!! Here it is as is... the old Silverware box...

I took undone three wallpaper books...
and now I am using it to line this box.
The next thing is to figure out if it will hold
my youngest daughter's laptop.
If it will, it will become her case for it.
If not... then I will put some dividers into it
and it will become my lap desk.
It will hold paper, pens,
after I compartmentalize it!!

So stay tuned to see what the out come is!!

I do have one question for either Robin of Robin's Nest, or Sue of Cotton Patch...

Do we have to wait until November 18th to mail our Christmas Stocking Swaps...or can we do them as soon as we are finished???????? Let me know... I am almost there!!! By the way Robin, in case I haven't said so, I would like to THANK YOU, so much for all the fun that you are giving me, letting me participate in the swap!!! I believe it is a wonderful idea!! And in the process I am getting some Christmas projects done for my family thanks to the spirit hitting me earlier!!! (I have to be one of the BIGGEST procrastinators in the world... so maybe there is hope for me yet!!! ;-D ) I hope everyone else is having as much fun as I am!!

Well for now I hope everyone has an absolutely wonderful day!!
I know I have!!!! :D

Also don't forget to SMILE...
You will get on in return!!!
Remember to Live well, Laugh often,
and to LOVE much!!

Day 2...400 mile yard sale trek... and project already started... :D

Well as you can tell... I am back online!!! Thank the good lord!!

I have been having withdrawal!!

I finally get to finish my 400 mile trek for you all!!!

So here goes... we pick it up in Marysville the next morning...

I did get the finials!!! for a whopping $3.00 for 35 of them!!

I have already started picking out the ones for my next projects.

We went back to the store where we got directions so I could take pictures of the laundry mat... I thought they had the neatest pictures painted on the front of the building... The top half of the windows... Check them out...

They were on either side of the door!! Aren't they just really quaint.

At our first yard sale outside of Marysville on the way to Washington... we stopped to check out several along a gravel road... I found all kinds of wood peices... for really cheap $1. each!! You can see the pics in a bit. :D The next stop... I liked this fountain... put it was sold :( and not to me. But I am going to use this pic for a referrence on how to make one for me... out of my washtub!
We didn't see anything in Washington that caught our fancy... so off we went...

Then along the way... I seen this rocker at another sale along the highway out side of town. Our next town was Belleville....
We made some stops in Belleville... found some goodies... I found my jewelery there for $3.00 for two pieces... and some pumpkin glass pieces. I didn't think to take pics as we went along today... sorry for not thing!! We stopped at a Habitat Restore Flea Market place... I found a costume for the grandson... and some vynal tablecloths... as you can see a couple of them are for the upcoming holidays!!!

We went to Cuba, Kansas and stopped found all kinds of stuff...
Here is a pic outside the Cuba Flea Market... Antique store...
Here is a window idea I found... I have a bunch...
If I would have bought this one... hubby would have shot me!! lol

So they got keep it... besides they wanted $30.00 for it!!! They wanted it more than I did!

Next door to the Antique store was this Statue... telling about the Checz that started the town... Ali read it... while I took the pic. :D

On our way to Scandia... which happened to be our last town for the day...
We stopped at many more sales... and see these hay bales stacks!!
Thought hubby would get a kick out of these... he was home haying while I went...
and he was baling big round bales...

We made many stops in Scandia... and my favorite was the very last one!!! The lady and her granddaughter had been there all day... and were not going to be set up for Sunday... so they were practically giving everything away!!! I found material... plates... which happen to be made in the 1925's according to the marks ( which I found out after I got them home)
Anyway here is my hall. I have taken lots of pics... except I forgot to take ones of my cookie cutters, finials, and the metal bed frame. (Go figure... so I will have them for a later day!!)

Here is my silverware box... two perfume bottles ( I loved the stoppers)... some candles holders (4).. some of my glass bowls (8)... and some of my insulators... (all in the first pic) then a shadow box... with doilies and lace... an odd jar... with marbles (for a friend)... and my bottles again lol... some of the necklaces I got for my candlier.

Here is a candle holder I found in Scandia for a $1. and I have one to match already... So I had to have this one too... along with a pair of old gloves... (I seem to collect them... more about that later) ;-D .... a wood sugar scoop... Actually a set of them... and some dishes... some more bowls... and more lace.... a set of canisters.... (that I found each one seperately... I have some more of these already... we use for candy... I HAD TO HAVE MORE!!! lolol)

More dishes... and lace... the Kitchen saying I have one of my grandmothers... but both of my children want it when I am gone... so now... they can both have one!!! A hen dish... in white... cup and saucer which match a set of my youngest daughters!!! Then the bowl with one of the marks from 1935... and the dish with the flowers in the middle is the one for 1925... and then another one from about 40's.... I love them all!!

My two platters that I bought to make into pedestal plates.... one is another 1925 piece... the one with the flowers in the middle.... But the other one is already a pedestal plate!!! All of these plates and up aboves... were a $.50 each from the last stop!! And then my sieve??? it will become a cover for food when camping :D

My find of Pumpkins... the clear glass one will be what I dish candy out of for Halloween!!! Cant wait!! Grandson is going to be Superman!! and Granddaughter is going to be a witch!!

I found her a caldren for candy... on this trek!!!

Here is my material from the last stop...

there is more but I can't take pics... (gifts)

and a blanket that I found in Marysville...

It is one that folds up... into a purse type...

Granddaughter says this one is Brocks... I have to make one for her in PINK!!!

Here is a pillow case I got from Hilda... in Beattie on the first day... and a sign I found somewhere along the way... I had to have it... for $.10!!! And here is all the jewerly I found... three pairs of earrings... all clip ons.... two broches... and a magnet!!! (On the top right hand side)
We got so tired the that day... neither one of slept very well... different beds.... soooooo we decided to call it a day... and turned around and headed for home!!! On the way back... we found gas for $3.27!!!!! The cheapest!!!!! We filled up... and made it home only using 1/4 of a tank!! Turns out we only drove about a total of 190 miles!!! From home to finish line!!! lolol. But we had a blast... and have decided that next year....

We are leaving on Thursday... going as far as we plan on going....

then turning around and doing our yard saling on the way home!!!

FRIDAY.... SATURDAY.... AND SUNDAY!!!

And we are taking our own pillows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But still leaving hubby's home!!! lol ;-)

Now for my first project as soon as we got home... I took the silverware box.... ripped the inside out!!! Then scrapped as much of the velvet that was glued out!! (Got scraped knuckles out of the deal!) And this is what it looked like....

But you will have to come back to see how it turned out!!!

I started three other projects...

but I can't show you pics... they are for Sue!!!

You have no idea how hard it is not to show and tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So everyone will have to wait till Sue gets them!!!

Now it is time to close.... I will leave you with this thought....
The Lord prefers common looking people.

That is the reason he makes so many of them.

(Abraham Lincoln)

Hope everyone has a really wonderful weekend!!
I know I did :D

Also don't forget to SMILE...
You will get on in return!!!
Remember to Live well, Laugh often,
and to LOVE much!!

As for day 2... I am now posting from the library...and Fat Friday!!!!

Hello All… I have to apologize…
I my Internet at home is down…
until Oct. 1st!!!!
Boo----Hooooooo!!!!!!
I am having to do my blog from the library…
So any pictures will have to be from
the Internet….
Unfortunately that means the I can’t
show you the rest of the Yard Sale trek…
yet…..
So I will finish that on the first!!!

So many of the blogs I have been following are
showing pics of fall… so I am joining the band wagon!!
This picture is from the http://photo.accuweather.com/.
I thought it was very fitting of these fall days!!

There is not much going on at our house today…
I am having to bug bomb the whole house…
we got fleas!!! Silly cats!!!
So I have four hours… I am trying to catch
up with you all…
I have been working on my basement…
getting it cleaned up… and getting my wood
supplies into order… I am going to make
some shelves out of old core doors… and give
them legs!! I will show you all when the net is
back to running at home!!

Anyway I only have about 10 minutes left before
I have to get off here!! SO I have to make it
quick!!! The last pic I will leave you with is one
of my temper yesterday… I waited for the
repair man (Internet) for the fourth time… from 8-Noon…
no show… no call again!!! So when I talked to them
this is how I looked!!! (UNFORTUNATELY!!!!!!)
I try very hard not to get frustrated… but there are days
when… it just seems that it has to get like that!!

I will leave you all with this recipe…
hope you love it too… Enjoy!!

Blueberry Muffins

1/2 c. butter 1 c. sugar

2 eggs 2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp salt

2 c. blueberries 1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla Sugar for topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees...

Cream butter, sugar... add eggs, one at a time...

Mix till well blended....

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt...

add to butter mixture...alternating with milk

and vanilla...

Mash 1/2 c. blueberries...stir into batter

Coat remaining blueberries with flour...

(to keep from sinking to the bottom of the bowl)

add to mixture .

Grease muffin tins... (or use paper cups)

fill muffin tins to 3/4 full...

top with sugar...

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes...

Makes 12 muffins.

Enjoy while hot... or cool!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!
Don't forget to SMILE!! You will get one in return!

Remember to Live well, Laugh often,
and to LOVE much!!

Day 1 of the 400 mile yard saleing trek...Drawing at Stitches by the Lake...

I have to apologize to everyone...
I have been busy unloading my Rendezvous...
from all the "GOOD" BUYS this last weekend!!

Then I got busy doing some of the projects...
I JUST COULDN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED!!
So I have sooooooo much to tell everyone...
and where to start....

And here is a drawing at Stitches by the Lake

for her early birthday... and 100 posts

http://stitchinbythelake.blogspot.com/

Day 1
We started out at Fairview, Kansas...
straight up 75 hwy...
we stopped at the fairgrounds... I believe it was... lol
I found all kinds of telephone insulators...
I found blue... and clear ones.
I want them for votives for my outside candles.
And all kinds of different glassware's too.
From there we hit Senaca...
Yes we skipped two towns... ;)

At Seneca we stopped at almost all of the sales
finding all kinds of goodies.

I found sugar scoop candle holders...

and some other glass items I got...

and don't forget the Blueberry Muffins!!

two sewing machine drawers...
some jewelery pieces...
baby clothes...
My nephew and his wife are having a baby...
(YEAH!!!!!)
a baby blanket....

One the way to Beattie we seen this yard sale

along the hwy...

They had all kinds of quilts

and Hallmark Christmas ornaments.

The Blue one with the Roses is the one Ali wanted!!!

By the way.. that is her looking at all the quilts.

We then trekked on to Beattie...
and that was where we found our BEST BUY!!! We found a little set of lawn chairs...
four of them...
We both wanted it...
so we split them!!!
We each paid $5.oo for two chairs...

The table went with it... my daughter got it!!

This is a heater the same lady had...

she wanted $20.00 for it...

I left it for someone else to find...

I already had one!

Then we went to the next one there...
It was belonged to an elderly lady...
her named was Hilda...
she was the highlight of our saleing!!!
She had lots of stuff...
she sold me a steamer for veggies...
and had a metal head and foot boards twin bed...

and a walnut full size head and foot boards...
She wanted $10. for the walnut set...
and $4. for the metal set...
My hubby would have KILLED me if I cut up the walnut set...
so I left it!
But I really wanted the metal set...
(He told me before I left...
If I CAME HOME WITH ANYMORE
BED FRAMES I MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE!)
So I was trying really hard... not to buy.
Ali got a table cloth with the napkins...
that Hilda helped us search for!!!
And the was only 5, so she gave her another one...
Hilda let her have the napkins...
and before it was over...
she gave Ali a cake plate too!!
When we left...
she asked us if we had a place to stay yet...
when we told her no...
Hilda told us that we could come back...
she had beds we could sleep in!! We thought that was sooooo sweet!!
(We must not act of look like homicidal maniacs!!!) lol :D
I don't know if that said something about our
character... or hers!!
But she was such a sweet lady.
I told her if the bed was still there on Sat...
on our way home...
then I would get it.

We went onto the next sale...
while we were looking...
we kept talking...
AND I JUST COULDN'T NOT GET THE BED!!
So we WENT BACK!!!

I bought the bed...
we unloaded... repacked...
and gave Hilda hugs...
took this picture!!!

Hilda and me... in front of the walnut set.

(Boy... I have decided I like being behind the camera better!!)

Then we went to Marysville!! And we hit a couple of sales there...
One was at C & C autos
Sue the lady there had old metal cookie cutters...
I bought the whole box...
for $3.00!!

(All of the others I have ever seen they wanted $1.00 each!!)
Sue and I got to talking...
she said she had finials a whole bunch!!
I got excited!!
But they were at her house...
we discussed what to do with them...
After much talking she said she
would bring them in the morning...
I could stop by and see them...
We walked the parking lot... found some more items...
and then Ali and I decided to call it a day!!

(It was after 5 pm... and we were both worn out)
We went in search of a hotel...
Ali stopped at grocery store... I got out...

talked to some people outside the store...
trying to find out what motels they would recommend...
and low and behold...
one of the gentleman I talked to...
was the brother -in-law of a guy my hubby works with!!
Kinda neat huh?


Anyway they were kind enough to recommend one...
we found it... they had a room... and we were in business!!
We went to pizza hut to eat...
which just happened to right across the street!!

(Did I mention... that I fought a headache all day...
and my eyes were getting wavy lines in them....

So Ali and had to do alot of the driving!!)

Anyhoo... here are some of the pictures of what I got...
and I will post more tomorrow for day 2.

Oh yea, I have been working on projects
for my partner in the Christmas Stocking Swap!!!

Boy Sue... of Cotton Patch, http://sue-thecottonpatch.blogspot.com/

I am loving trying to figure out
what to make for you!! I have two more project to do...
Then I have to make the stocking to fit!!! lol
But everyone will have to wait to see pics from Sue...
I didn't take any...
That way I am not tempted to show you before
she gets to see them...
and they are all wrapped already so I can't!

I can hardly wait for her to get them!!!
I will take a pic of all the packages after I have them all done.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day...
and don't forget to SMILE!! :D

Remember to Live well, Laugh often,
and to LOVE much!!

400 mile Yard Sale...Flunked Pay It forward...

Hello again. I am sorry to Stacey... of This Blessed Nest. I have tried twice to do a Pay it forward... and have only been able to give away two. Please forgive me... not sure what I am doing wrong...

I am getting ready to leave on Friday for the 400 mile Yard Sale on Highway 36!!! I am soooooooooo excited!!!! My best friend and I are going to spend two days checking out the sales!! I will take pictures of things we see... and our buys... some of our wants... and some of the peeps, to share with y'all. I am looking forward to the weekend! So tomorrow... I will do my recipe for Friday, so please don't think I have lost my marbles... even thou I may have... lol.

Here is my latest project... a table with glass top... and four chairs. All metal... this is the color it was to begin with... (it was in a fire... and not very pretty...)

I have cleaned... soaped, scrubed, and think I got all of the smoke damage I am going to get off. I have taken the cushions of the chairs... gotten the foam and material off the seats. Now I am getting ready to spray paint all the metal pieces black gloss. When I am ready for the cushions to be recovered I want to use black toile... but I have a question for everyone...
Can I use Thompson Water Seal on the material to seal it for use outside???? Help??

I am getting very fond of the table and chairs... orginally I was going to sell it... but now not so sure. I guess time will tell!

Well for now... I will catch you all later. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Remember to Live well, Laugh often,
and to LOVE much!!

Well, I promised a Pay It Forward Giveaway!!! And a blessed Thank You to KIM!! :D Also posting give away for Jo Anne's 100th.

Blessed Monday!!
Yes... the sun is shining here
for the second day in a row!! :D(It has been raining here for the last 10 days!!)
We got 7 1/2 inches in the last 6 days!!!!

Also I would like to post another drawing too...one from JoAnne's for her 100th Giveaway!!http://jo-anne-thecarterclan.blogspot.com/to check it out!!

I got my pay it forward form Kim...
THANK YOU KIM!!!I love it!!
Here is a pic for all to see!!

Now for the Pay IT Forward Give-a-way!!!!
I had won two of them!!
I gave away one for Kim's (simple-needs)
Now I am giving away for Stacey's
(http://theblessednest.blogspot.com/)
Good luck to everyone!!!

So here go the rules:
This is how it works, the first three people
who comment on this post I will send you a surprise!
Then you are to post it on your blog and
the first three people who respond you send a gift too
and you just keep it going that way.
The gift can be something you have,or made,
or bought.or flee market items.
Please keep your gifts small,
(maybe something you could fit into a
manila envelope or regular envelope).

I also have an extra one to give out...
so don't be shy... PLEASE ENTER!!


Now I need some help from everyone!!
I have a table that I have slid apart...
yes it will go back together!
But I need to know if it is an antique...
or if it would be OK to paint the top??
I don't want to ruin a good piece...
but it would fit my house better if it were painted.
And in two pieces.

Here is one side...

and here is the other side.
I love the legs... just as they are!!
So any info anyone can offer would help
a bunch!!!
Now here is my latest table...
It was blond wood... yuck!
So I painted it black... now
I am trying to decide...
should I paint flowers on it??
Or not...
what do you think??

All of your comments will be
greatly appreciated!!!

The beautiful table.

The top!!

I also made my first piece to go into my
Christmas stocking swap!!! A hint for Sue...
it has red on it!!! ;)
I can't wait to get it finished!! I am trying to find out from Sue's blog...
what style of Stocking???
(Any hints Sue???)


Hope everyone is having a really super wonderful day!!!
I know I am. :D

Smile!!!! Really BIG!!!!

Remember to Live well, Laugh often,
and to LOVE much!!

Pictures for the Survey...Fat Friday... getting ready for my pass it forward on Monday

Hello all!!
Here it is FRIDAY!!!
I am including some pictures
of the hummingbirds
that I would like to get your
opinion on which ones to paint on
my hummingbird bench.

There is a survey up above...
and here are the pics
to see what they look like.
Please feel free to help!!!

Allen's Ana's

Black-chinned Berylline

Blue-throated Broad-billed

Broad-tailed Buff-bellied

hummingbird? Lucifer

Magnificant Pennent-tailed

Ruby-throated Rufous

White-eared Xantus

I promised to have a recipe for you allHere it is!!!
My favorite Oatmeal Cookies...
It is my grandmother Fisher's recipe...
with one change....
when we were kids we went to grandma and grandpa's
for a week out of the summer to stay...
and of course on Sunday's
She would turn us lose in her kitchen...
(WHAT MEMORIES!!)
I would always make these oatmeal cookies...
one day she was out of vanilla extract...
and she said to use my imagination...
so my favorite flavor then was lemon...
and VOILA!!
My favorite cookie was born!!!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do...

Grandma Fisher's Oatmeal Cookies

1 c. softened shortening 2 eggs
1 c. sugar 1 t. lemon extract
1 c. brown sugar 1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. nutmeg 1/2 t. salt
1 c. sifted floor 1 t. cinnamon
3 c. old fashioned Oatmeal
Beat throughly shortening, eggs, sugar,
lemon extract, brown sugar.
Add baking powder, nutmeg, salt,
flour, cinnamon and oatmeal.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
(center should not be doughy)

I had hoped to have some pictures of
my cookies... but I didn't get them
made yet...
I am hoping to get them baked tonite.
So there could still be hope for pics.

I did get them bake and pics taken!!! :D

Remember to Live well,

Laugh often, and to LOVE much!!