Quiet

Quiet is the word today at 5 Minute Friday where we write for 5 minutes straight on a topic that Lisa Jo provides. 

No hard thinking.  No grammar worries.  Actually really no worries just writing.   Set a timer
and write. 

Quiet . . . start
Just over 4 years ago it was a different kind of quiet that our daughter prayed for.  The kind of quiet that you seek when the newborn is finally peacefully resting usually in his crank up swing.  Where were those things when she was an infant?  Quiet was what you wanted for the house.  But not too much quiet because then when the neighbor kids played outside or someone started mowing the grass the sound would break the quiet and all would be lost.
Now 4 years laught the quiet is continually broken with laughter and silliness.  The quiet is broken with questions.  A million.  One every 30 seconds it seems.  The only time once again there is true
Quiet is when he is asleep.  And bless his sweet little heart he still take a 2 hour nap.  He is a house a fire and he works hard at being a boy.  Quiet comes usually as soon as his head hits the pillow.  No scratch that it isn't Quiet...it is snoring.  His sweet snores and breathing breaks the Quiet and there is Peace all around.  And we are thankful.  We are grateful. 
The Quiet is broken . . .

 A few of my favorite photo's some Quiet some not so much . . .

Enjoy your day.  And please don't forget to leave a comment the not so Quiet one will draw this afternoon when he comes home from school.

Click here to join 5 Minute Friday

On a Blessed Journey . . .

Random Thankfulness/Give a Way

Don't forget the Give a Way . . .

I am giving a way this wallhanging.  It is hard to read but it says
Let Our Hearts Be Thankful. I know the winner will love it.  I will be drawing on Friday night.  There's still time to enter. 

On with my Thankfulness . . .

I am thankful that my kitchen does not look like this.  There have been times that it has.  But today it is clean and I am enjoying it!

I said it was random.   I am thankful for my favorite Mexican resturant.  I love their chips!  The resturant is called Mexican Inn. I grew up going there.  My kids grew up going there.  And I suspect that I'll be there on Saturday with my daughter and grandson.  (more on that in a minute)

I am thankful I have gotten to sew this week.  This is the machine I am using now that was donated to our ministry.  I am very thankful for this machine!

Just a random photo I thought it was cool.  I am not a fan of pumpkin so can't really say I am Thankful for it but it is a really neat photo!

I am thankful for my sweet grandson.  He loves to help his mommy around the barn. 

Just some more randomness.   A photo I saved for Blue Monday.  Come see me on Monday for more Blue photo's and my weekly Horse Mosaic. 

And I am thankful that I am spending the night with my daughter and grandson on Friday night and we're going to a horse show on Saturday.  And if I am lucky there will be lots of horse photo's for my Monday Mosaic. 

Linking today with Thriving on Thursday because sometimes the best way to really Thrive is to remember what your Thankful for even if it is random. 
In case you've had a week that was less than Thankful or Thriving I hope my fun photo's cheer you up. 
Have you been one of the lucky ones and had an amazing week?  Why not show a little Jesus and visit a few bloggy friends and give them some encouragement. 

Click here to visit Thriving on Thursdays

Thanks for visiting.  I am back to the sewing machine.   Don't forget to comment I want to pick your name!

On a Blessed Journey . . .

Words on Wednesday

Wednesday . . . Wordfilled . . . Today . . .

I have tried all day . . .

I have just not been able . . .

To find the words.  They seem locked inside me . . .
And so I  need to . . .

You Bless me with your visits.  You Bless me with your encouragement.  I hope I Bless you. 

Please forgive me for being quiet today . . .

Why I Use Cloth Napkins

What makes a house a home? Is your home a sanctuary? Are there small touches you do around your house or for your family to make them feel special?

Today I was thinking about simple touches that make a big impact.  I was also thinking about simple things that are very thrifty and frugal. 

One thing that came to mind was cloth napkins.  I got to thinking about when I started using cloth napkins.  It would have been when we were first married.  In our first house I began using cloth napkins and have ever since. 

The first set of cloth napkins I bought was waaaaaay back when I was a teenager.  I bought them for my mommy.  I have them now and I still use them daily.   Well I don't actually use them daily.  They are part of the sets of napkins that I have that I use daily.

So why do I use napkins everyday?  I just love the look of napkins on a table set ready for a nice meal.   Even if it is as simple meal . . .   Re-using a few photo's from previous posts.

He is a table setting I did last fall.  My daughter and I were having a lunch and we were planning our holiday meals.  The little navy blue napkins I always use with these blue plates and with these soup bowls. They saw Barbque to me and I always use them when we have ribs.  Which we have a lot because Cowboy loves them.  They were not expensive.  And they have held up very well to all that Barbque sauce.  There are no stains on them at all.

Here's another table setting I did in the fall.  I have napkins with acorns on them that I use in the fall.

I was playing around and setting the table one day for a linky party.  Here I pulled out some vintage napkins.  I bought these on a vacation trip in Colorado at an antique shop.  There is a matching tablecloth somewhere in storage.  I am careful when I use them no Barbque Sauce with them. 

A little shabby and a little Cowboy at the same time.  These My Cowboy does not touch.  Again I am very careful when I get these out and what I am serving. 

Most of my napkins are very colorful and sturdy.  So they can be used everyday.  

Remember I said napkins are frugal.  Well they are not expensive to buy.  And they last a long time.  I always buy sets of 8 at least.  That way if we have a huge accident and have to use some for a huge nasty spill I always have enough for a family meal.  I rarely throw them away.  Usually I can find a use as a dust rag or something. 

I have a basket in my kitchen that the napkins get tossed into and then on washing day I just throw them in with my towels.  I only wash once a week so I have a lot of napkins.  The wash and dry very well.  Even if I end up tossing them in a basket they are usually not very wrinkled at all.  If they are too wrinkled I throw them back in the dryer with a wet washcloth for a few minutes.  They tumble  and all the wrinkles go away.  Then I take them out and lay them across the dryer door.  When they are all out I fold and put away. 

I love the look of napkins.  I just think they make a meal special. 

Personally I really dislike those cheap paper napkins.  Do you use paper napkins.  Why not think about buying a few cloth napkins and give it a whirl? 

Or maybe pull out those holiday napkins you rarely use.  Do you have fall napkins for Thanksgiving. 
Why not start using them now?   You can start using Christmas napkins on December 1.  

Our family has a tradition that we begin on December 1.  I'll share that tradition in another post.

I would love to share the ways I make my House a Home with you.  

Thanks for coming by and don't forget to leave a comment if you want to be entered in the drawing!
I will be drawing on Thursday night.  Good Luck!

On a Journey to Making My Home a Sanctuary . . .

Please let me know if you decide to use cloth napkins.  Take some photo's and blog about it!

Linking with . . .  Click Here to Join and Visit Darlene at Titus 2sdays

Linking with . .  Jacinda at Growing Home.  Clicke Here to visit Teach Me Tuesdays

Blue Mosaic Monday

Welcome I love sharing a few favorite Blue photos on Monday and my weekly Horse Mosaic.  

Enjoy and Thanks for visiting.  For an update on The Shop click on tab at the top of the page. 

All photo's from Pinterest

From Mary at Dear Little Red House . . . Greetings From Sandy
As a result of Hurricane Sandy, we are unfortunately still without Internet service and power. Compared with others in Sandy's path, we are blessed. My home state of New Jersey has been devastated in places, almost beyond belief. We are working to get our generator up and running, which will provide heat and running water here at out Little Red House. However, with only my phone to provide Internet service, I will have to cancel Mosaic Monday this week. Please say a prayer or send some good vibes our way.

This week I am starting something new.  I am sharing my mosaic via email with my daughter and grandson.  Seems like a beautiful way to stay in touch and let them know I am thinking about them.

Do you have friends or family you don't see often? Or out of town?Maybe they would enjoy a special email from you.  I know when I received a special email with pictures from a blogging from this weekend it made my day. 

Thanks for Joining Me on The Journey . . .


Linking with Sally at Blue Monday.  Click Here to visit and Join.
Linking with Mary at Mosaic Monday.  Click Here to visit and Join  Mary next week.

Simple Sunday and My Soul Sings

Yesterday was so consumed with Quilts and Shops and Daisy's post that I never posted my  Then Sings My Soul post. 

Then Sings My Soul is a Saturday tradition for me.  Lately I have been posting the favorite song from our previous Sunday. 

My Cowby and I are volunteer chaplains at a teenage boy prison unit.  Yes I go to church with a bunch of boys you probably don't want to meet on the street. 

And, I have to agree I probably woudn't either.  I don't think I would want to meet them in 'their' home environment.  But as I step back and I think about it everyday I am around them I realize more and more that it is that 'home environment' that molded them into what they are. 

Just like those of us that have raised our children and prayed that they would know Jesus, these kids have been raised and molded in a much different way. 

There isn't much difference.  Our kids could have chosen to rebel.  And I realize that many do but I think you'll agree with me even if they do rebel most are always welcomed back many more times than the probably deserve. 

But with 'my boys' that is not the case.  The stories are sadly very different.   We get normally about 11 months with these guys.  And during this time we spend as much time as possible sharing God with them. 

We pray for them. We pray with them.   And, I hope that you as my friend will pray for them too.  I hope that you'll pray for them because after all they are God's children.  And I hope you'll pray for them because I love them.  They are just like my kids.   Oh how I wish that like my own kids I could show you special pictures of them.  But because of the rules that we deal with we cannot show pictures of them nor can we share their names. 

But I can share stories; happy positive stories.  And I can share thier prayer requests. 

And so following the video you'll find a couple of prayer requests from them.  I hope that you'll join me this week and pray for them. 

When you see this video I think you'll be as amazed as I am that they would choose this video.  Their hearts seek God.  I pray that
my Cowboy and I and the other volunters always to do all we can to allow God to be a precense in all the activities we provide. 




A Few of Today's Prayer Requests . . .

• Lord I want to ask you to forgirve me for telling people that my case manager doesn't help me when she really does.
• Lord please forgive me for everything.  For all my sins Especially putting my through all this.
• Pray that my brother turns his life to the Lord that my cousin gets her place by the end of the month.  I pray that the Lord will give me spiritual wisdom and insight.

Thank you for Joining me on this Journey and being a part of the ministry that God has called us to.  Thank you for praying for my kids. 

Daisy's Bloggie Doggie Award

We didn't forget Daisy's post with all the Shop Talk going on!

Before we share her sweet friend I wanted to share the new Blog award Button we made for her.  The recipient each week will receive the award to post on their blog. 

We have such fun visiting other bloggers especially those with dogs that we came up with this little way to share our friends!

And let them know we love and appreciate them. 

This weeks pick . . . Drum Roll

 Woof    Woof    Woof

 

 

 

 

The darling and really, really sweet Boots from

Heart of a Cowgirl.  I have to admit their blog name is what drew me over to visit originally.  We were happy to see that Boots is featured every Wednesday.  Click here to visit and be sure and tell them Daisy sent you!

 

 

We love visiting so if you have a dog that you blog about invite us over!

 

 

 Alittle Shop News before we go . . .

The giveway is posted on the sidebar be sure and comment on any post . . .

 

Enjoying the Journey w/ Daisy,  



It's HUGE The Announcement

So here it is.  I know you've all been on pins and needles . . .
interestig choice of words because this announcement
includes the use of Pins and Needles yep . . .

Here it is I am opening a Shop right here on the blog and on Etsy

What will you find you ask Quilts and lots and lots more

This is a family endeavor I am joining my 87 year old mother who has been doing craft fairs for the last 20 years.  She is getting past able to do the travel.

So instead of travel we'll be setting up shop in my living room and hers occassionally. 

Mommy specializes in aprons and baby things like bibs and receiving blankets. And Christmas stockings.

She has some quilted wall hangings.  She hand quilts. 

I don't I am more of the modern kinda girl with a little vintage thrown in.   The quilts I make are all sizes from baby to bed size quilts.  

Today is the day we are doing the photo shoot so I am off and running this morning.  I'll be back throughout the day with some sneak peaks. 

And to announce the first give a way.  I think you'll enjoy it just in time for Thanksgiving.  That's all the hint you get.  

Here's the skinny on the 1st give a way just leave a comment.  Nothing hard like leaving links all over or coming back with extra comments.  But please come by as often as you want.  Now if you leave a sweet litte message to Mommy then I'll enter you again but other than that it's simple. 

Come by ofter but please spread the word.  And just as another little tease Friday is sale day.  We're calling it $5.00 Friday you'll find some great buys.

See ya Soon I told you It is Huge Don't forget leave a comment here tally starts Now

5 Minute Friday Show and Tell

What a great topic for 5 Minute Friday today . . .

Roots Mine . . .

yep it is a great topic because I was planning to share my bedroom for Show and Tell so sit back and enjoy first my 5 minutes . .

Go
Roots . . . when I think about roots the first thing that popped into my head was flowers and planting.  I know you probably think well that is silly.  But just this week I got to dig in the dirt with a few flowers.  This has been my first time in about 3 years.  And I so missed it. 

I missed having flowers around my house and yard.  My neighbor upstairs has the prettiest patio and I get to see her plants.  And she is so sweet there is even a pot at the bottom of the stairs that I walk by everyday. 

So yes flower roots was my first thought.  Then my second thought was my roots where I came from and where I am.  I am rooted in Christ.   I am rooted in Christ because he knew me before I knew me.   He knew me way back when I was 9 years old and he started calling me softly.   

I am rooted in my family.  And my family is rooted in Christ also.   Jesus Christ called my Cowboy way back when he was a teenager. 

And as I think of my ancestory roots I think different thoughts.  I think of sadness.  I think of questions about my grandparents and great grandparents.  And even my parents and Cowboys. 


And I pray that their roots began with Christ.     Stop

                                             Show and Tell
My Bedroom reveal . . . Part One The Sneak Peak
Today I am sharing my bed.  Last week I gave you a little hint about it.  We had it custom made way back in about '98 I think.  We had moved into our house and were ready to start decorating.

We were a little ahead of our time then and we lived in a neighborhood and not on a ranch so we kind of didn't fit in.  But our Roots are in Texas and we are Cowboys and Girls at heart. 

Here's our bed . . .

I love it.  When I designed it I wanted ranch, rough but some fem too.  So I had it built like a shaker bed with the rod that goes around the top like a shaker bed.  I have always wanted to put sheer gauzy fabric curtins on but haven't had a chance yet.  Maybe soon.   Now don't look too close at the quilt blocks that's my work in progress. 

 Beside the bed on my side is a vintage little table.  I love it.  It is simple and white.  I love shabby chic but I live with a man so this is my little Shabby Chic area. 

 A close up.  I addded the pot of flowers for the photo shoot.  They will go back outside.   I have a girly lamp on my side.  I have a plan for another shade soon.  I'll keep the base but the shade will be a light blue matching the strip in the pillows on the bed. 

 Here's the lamp on Cowboys side.  It is a metal cut out of cowboys and a chuck wagon sitting around a fire.  I love this lamp.  It was a Christmas present for him one year. 

 Here's what it is sitting on.  This is his cigar humidor.  It is a replica of an old ice box.  And, I hate it.
Call me weird I just don't like old ice boxes.  This piece was originally in the den in the big house so it was kind of banished.  But since all the down sizing it has been everywhere.  In our main living area for one.  I have finally gotten to bansih it to the bedroom.  I am so happy. 

This is an upclose of some of the pillows on the bed.  The striped one at the back is a sham from Pottery Barn that is the entire start of the entire bedroom project.  The blue I was talking about for the lamp on my side is that little tiny stripe in the pillow. 

Here's one last shot of the layers of throws that are normally on the bed.  Now remember the first photo way at the top with the quilt blocks.  And, the blue strip in the Pottery Barn pillows.   Well all this is changing.

Yep the next time I show the bed I'll have all the new linens.  The quilt finished and I'll share the story behind it.   And a tour of the rest of the room. 

I hope you enjoyed this little tour.    Please come back soon.   Actually would you come back tomorrow because I have something Huge.   Yes I said Huge.

It really, really is Huge.  It is about quilts.  It is about shopping.

And it is really Huge

On A New Huge Journey . . .

Click Here to Join Lisa Jo for 5 Minute Friday

Click Here to Join Simple and Sweet Fridays with
Rooted in Thyme

Click Here to Join Show and Tell

Click Here to Join Feathered Nest Friday

 

 

 

 

 

Click Here to Join Heather and Vanessa at The Picket Fence

 

 

And I found a new Thursday linky  joining  . . .

 

 Click Here to join

 

 

 

My Cat Was Cat Napped

This is a Thankful Thursday post because I am Thankful that our cat came home. For over three weeks he has been gone. I have been having a hard time with his disapperance. I felt guilty for not bringing him in on Saturday night when a storm was expected. He didn't come to the patio door like he usually does but we didn't think too much about it. When he didn't come around all day on Sunday or Monday we began to wonder if he had ended up in someone elses apartment. He is a very friendly cat and has neighbor friends that he visits. But no one had seen him. Everyone was beginning to think the worst. Cowboy had told me he was old and maybe he had just crawled off and died. This bothered me too that I would run across him somewhere when I was walking Daisy.

Our grandson loves him. And he loves our grandson.

I was cherishing this pics taken the last time Zane spent the day.  They were so funny supposed to be taking a nap .  He kept telling me 'We not tired Gige."  I kept telling him He still needed to sleep. 

He never did.  I gave up and so began the photo shoot.   The cat does look tired here. 

 

 

 

I love the smile on Zanes face . . . 

 

Here is Rascal home and well. 

 

 

I guess your wondering why we think he was cat napped. 

 

Yesterday morning I was on the patio working on some plants.  We have covered parking just outside our door but it has latice on the back wall so you can see through.  As I was working I heard a car drive up.  There were no cars parked so I could see the car.  It stopped and a lady got out. 

 

That's when I saw Rascal coming to the patio.  He was walking down the sidewalk.  I didn't think anything about the lady because I was so happy to see him.  He was cautiously approaching the patio.    And she was walking toward to the lattice.    When I said his name she stopped.  She had not seen me.  I began calling him and he came to me and the lady got back in her car and drove away. 

 

When he came in the house he was cautious at first almost acted like he didn't recognize me.  But he went right to Daisy and rubbed against her. 

 

At lunch when Cowboy came home he was pretty much back to normal.   

 

Today he spent the afternoon sleeping on top of the quilt blocks I had on the bed. 

 

I am happy that Rascal is home. 

 

 

But I am sad that he was gone for so long and that someone kept him. 

 

 

Today I am having to learn forgiveness. 

 

 

It's a rough Journey . . .