A Day on the Deck

Yesterday, today and tomorrow the weather here in Oklahoma is and will be awesome. Low 70's, no wind and very clear blue skies.

A perfect day to spend on our screened-in porch. A tall ice cold root beer, magazines and soft music made for a very relaxing day. Even Rowdy enjoyed the warm sun.

Later today Rowdy and I took a walk in the neighborhood where we were met by another neighbor walking her Labradoodle.

Freezing rain and possibly snow is in the forcast for Tuesday through Thursday of next week, so for these few days I'm going to be out and about enjoying this beautiful reprieve from the cold weather we've had. Hope you all have a enjoyable weekend also.

Christine

Postnote: Ninny and her hubby are home from their long stay at the hospital and he is doing so much better. She will be posting on her blog soon.

The Story of Us

A few years ago my dad's sister, my Aunt Grace, made a scrapbook for my dad. She gave it to him a year before he died. She wanted him to know how much he meant to her. At the time they were the only siblings living out of five children. My dad was ten years older than my aunt and he was her "big" brother. My dad had two older sisters and one younger brother and one younger sister, my Aunt Grace. The scrapbook is about their life growing up together and the fun times they had. She made a point to visit him and give him the scrapbook in person. It really meant a lot to him that she would give him this meaningful gift because he knew a lot of work had gone into it.

My dad and Aunt Grace looking at the original scrapbook.

When my dad passed away I gave the scrapbook back to my Aunt Grace. After all, it was about her as much as it was about him. She promised somehow she would make copies for my sister and I. As it turned out we were able to get together with other cousins last summer and one of my cousins photocopied the whole scrapbook and put it on a DVD for each one of us. I had mine made into a photo scrapbook not to long ago. I plan to have another one made so both my sons will have a copy. This is so special to me and I hope someday my children will find it to be also.

All the stories are written in her own handwriting.

These are just a few of the pages in the scrapbook.

This scrapbook is full of family history and was a wonderful gift for my dad but little does she know that it was a special gift to all of his family and the generations to come.

Christine

  

Fun In The Snow

Last Thursday night we got a couple of inches of snow and the grandkids had fun this Saturday playing in it before it melted later in the day. After an hour of snow play they came in for hot chocolate while sitting by the fire in the fireplace. Fun memories for two cousins.

Christine

Postnote:  Nana was bombarded with snowballs while trying to take pictures.

Rowdy Says

                        Hey Ina, I'm keeping my eye out for a moose.

Baby Gown

Yesterday when I posted about our vintage bedroom I failed to mention this framed baby gown that my dad wore when he was a baby. He would have been 90 years old this coming summer if he were still alive. He had two older sisters and a younger brother and sister and they all had pictures made in their baby gowns. That must have been the thing to do way back then. The gown is rather plain with no lace or fancy trims. A gown for a baby boy probably wouldn't have been all that frilly. 

This is a copy of the picture of my dad in his baby gown. I don't know who has the original and I don't know who gave him the copy. When my mother was still alive she gave me the gown and I decided to frame it and put the picture of my dad in the same frame. I think it gives the gown more meaning. My dad looks to be about 12 to 15 months old in this picture. By the way, I also have my baby gown and a picture with me wearing it. Someday I might frame it too.

Christine

Vintage Bedroom

One of our guest bedrooms in our home is filled with antiques and collectibles. All the antique furniture came from my mother-in-law's estate after she passed away many years ago. The iron bed is from a hotel that his grandmother owned and sold to his parents in a small town that my husband is from and grew up in. (That's another interesting story.) The original color was light green but has been painted a couple of times. The bedspread was crocheted by my mother-in-law when she was pregnant with my husband. (He's 70 years old, so does that make him an antique?)

The antique desk below was in my mother-in-law's livingroom. The top picture on the right is the wedding picture of my husband's parents. The painting of roses is one my mother painted.  Below the desk is the top of my husband's high chair. I've placed all my Boyd's Bears that my daughter-in-law has given me over the years on it. To the right of it is a porcelain baby doll my mother made.

This antique pie safe above was in my mother-in-law's kitchen and she kept spices and canned goods in it. I have it in the guest bedroom because I don't have any other place to put it. I store decorative items in it that I'm not using at the moment. The tin in the doors are origninal to the piece. The mirror above it is also an antique that I bought many years ago in an antique store.

This is one of three washstands that my mother-in-law had in her home. As you can see she loved antique furniture and when she passed away my husband and his two sisters each inherited their share of them. We have a few more but they are located in other rooms of our home. I'll show those some other time in another post. I'd like to paint this bedroom sometime in the future but haven't decided what color. Any suggestions.

Christine

Another Snow Day

We woke up this morning with snow on the ground and it was still snowing. The weatherman predicted one to three inches of it in our area. I haven't heard the official total but I'd say at least an inch or two.

Birds at one of our birdfeeders.

Our screened in deck.

Our front porch.

View from the front door.

The snow quit falling by the middle of the morning and the sun is out. The snow will not melt today because temps will be below freezing all day and into the night. If children home from school want to get out and play in the snow today they will have to bundle up in layers to keep warm. As for me, the only time I plan to get out is to refill the birdfeeder. More snow is predicted for this Sunday and school may be out a few days next week unless the sand trucks get out into the neighborhoods. You won't see many snowplows in Oklahoma. It doesn't snow enough in Oklahoma to warrant that. Most school systems schedule snow days built into their school calendars, so school will let out for summer break on time.

All in all, I like Oklahoma weather. We don't have severe winters like they do up north and extreme heat in summer like they do down south. As Goldilocks would say, "It's just right!"

Christine

Rowdy Says

Every guy has to have his mancave. Welcome to mine.

My American Dolls

Our seven year old granddaughter had a great Christmas. Santa brought her an American Girl Doll and her great grandmother bought her one also. Her nana (moi) bought her the Samatha set of books and DVD. Not having girls of my own I didn't know to much about these dolls. However, I've learned a lot about them in the last few months. They are very well made dolls and will last forever if taken care of. They are high dollar too. Each doll is $95.00 and the assessories are expensive too. Looking through the catalog I noticed one of the doll beds was $125.00 and a horse for one of the dolls was $85.00. There are clothes, books, DVD's, pets, beds, etc. that go with each doll. BTW, the DVD's are awesome. The acting is great and they are very well produced. I've watched one with my granddaughter and was really impressed with the quality.

I had a lot of dolls growing up during my childhood. Baby dolls, a ballerina doll, Barbie dolls and my favorite was a Madame Alexander doll. I still have a couple of my Barbies and a Ken and the Madame Alexander doll. Below are pictures of my real American Girl dolls.

I just love playing with them. I know you are thinking that I'm too old to be playing with dolls, but I just can't help myself. They are so much fun. The baby doll wets, cries, laughs and walks. The older doll sings, dances and loves clothes. Perfect for someone like me. These dolls are so special I won't loan them out to anybody. Not even my sister. Besides, she has her own dolls to play with.

Christine

Ancient Words

"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."

Psalm 40:5

Something Sinister This Way Comes

Since most of us here in the U.S. is experiencing frigid temperatures I thought I'd share one of my mother's oil paintings that she painted about six or seven years ago. I loved it the minute I saw it.

At first glance it's a beautiful snow scene with mountains and aspens and little snow bunnies huddled between the trees. But upon closer inspection you can see something sinister lurking close by. That shocked me when I realized what was about to happen to those poor little bunnies.

My mother not only had artistic talent but a little bit of mischievousness about her. When I asked her why she painted a wolf in the background she just smiled and said, "All of God's creatures have to eat." You have to admit, it does make the painting more interesting.

Christine

Rowdy Says

"You want me to do what?"

"Do you know how cold it is out there?"

Signs of Winter

As I've been blog hopping I have seen some beautiful pictures of this winter season. Oklahoma has been fortunate so far to have had some nice weather so far. Yesterday we saw our first dusting of snow in the northeastern part of the state. Uusally, we have our first snow before Christmas, but not this year. If this is all we get this round I'll be one happy snowbunny.

The temps are in the twenties and the wind makes the air feel even colder. The streets aren't to bad during the daylight hours but once it starts getting dark the streets get slick. School is out today for fear the school buses will slide off the road and children get hurt trying to get to school. Days are added to the school calendar for misssed days, so unless more days are canceled, school will end on schedule.  Speaking of snowbunnies...

Thankfully, there is no ice to contend with this time. Just a brush with the broom and the windshield is clear to go.

I am keeping the bird feeder full of birdseed so my birds will have plenty of nourishment and keeping water in the birdbath. I don't have a heater for my birdbath so I have to break the ice from time to time.


                                                       More signs of winter

The hubs and I are staying home close to the fire and keeping warm and cozy. I have lots of books on hand to read, and of course, I can always blog. Winter weather is a good excuse for staying home and relaxing. Bring it on!

Christine

                                                                            

Sleepy Head

My sister (Ninny's Notes) and her husband came for a quick visit this weekend. We always have so much fun when we get together going to thrift shops and junkin. Didn't get much of that done though, but did make quick trips to Hobby Lobby, Salvation Army Thrift Shop, and a neat little shop called Two Friends. After a few hours of shopping we ate lunch out and then went home. This is what she did as soon as we arrived. She didn't know I took this picture and will see it on this post. Ha! This will teach her to shut her eyes when I'm around.

I must come to her defense however. She suffers from dry eye and her left eye was really bothering her as well as her ears. She also complained of not having any energy. Sounds like she might be coming down with something. Her grandchildren have been sick so she might be coming down with whatever they had.

On another note, we did find some good buys. She will probably post her fantastic buy on her blog, so check there sometime this week. My great buy of the day was this cut crystal bowl with stand. It is beautiful and very heavy, so I know it's of good quality. I bought it for $6.00!

I couldn't believe the price and I ask my sister if I was reading the sales tag correctly. Yes, just six dollars. Thrifting is so much fun. I know what you are thinking. She'll end up storing it in her newly cleaned out closet! I don't think so.

Snow is in the forcast for tomorrrow and Monday. Possibly up to three inches. I can deal with that as long as there is no ice. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Restful anyway.

Christine

THE Closet

We have a hall closet that is a catch all for all the junk we own. Actually, truth be known, it's all my stuff. Decor items, things I don't use everyday, stuff we haven't used in years but can't part with, and hobby supplies (glitter, glue guns, etc.). You get the picture. About three times a year I get in the mood to clean it. This week I felt like it was time to tackle it once again. I mean, I couldn't even walk into it, that's how bad it was. Also, there are a lot of TV shows this month on HGTV that are giving out ideas on how to be more organized in your home.

First thing on the agenda of cleaning was to clear everything out of it. And I mean everything. What a mess. Secondly, I decided that if I haven't used it in a year it goes, eccept for heirlooms. I filled one box with garage sale items and a garbage bag with the rest. As I was refilling the shelves I had to decide once again if I really wanted to keep each item that I had decided to keep.  If not, it went into the garage sale box.

Deco items went back on the top and middle shelf along with hobby supplies. Tablecloths and bath and kitchen paper supplies on the bottom shelf along with odds and ends. On the floor of the closet is my sewing machine, and more deco items  in boxes.

top shelf

                                          second shelf

                                             bottom shelf

I'm really proud of myself for getting this done. Last summer was the last time I cleaned it out and boy did it need it. I know this isn't a very interesting post and you're thinking that I must be really hard up for anything news worthy. You're right. But maybe, just maybe, I've inspired you to clean out one of your closets. I know one thing, I wouldn't want to clean out closets for a living.  

Christine

The Loves of My Life

There are a lot of things in my life that I absolutely love and these are my favorite four.

My grandchildren. These four kiddos make my world go round.

If you are a grandparent then you know the feeling. It's like no other. When I was a young mother I thought I couldn't love anyone more than my two sons. Well, let me tell you, you can. I am so glad that God has blessed me with these little sweethearts.

                                           first grandchild

second grandchild

third grandchild

(notice the halo)

                                                         fourth grandchild

It was so much fun to have them all here for Christmas. I loved watching them open their presents and the surprised looks on their faces. So comical. I recently saw an old friend the other day and she told me she was a great-grandmother. I asked her if she loved the great-grandchild as much as she does her grandchildren.  Her answer, " Even more."  Can you belive it? I can't wait.

Rowdy Says

                            OU pillow...check.
                            Remote...check.
                            Fiesta Bowl...check.
                            Snacks... ???????...Mama, bring me some snacks!
                            Pleeease.


footnote:  Thanks Dawn Marie for the idea.