Trash to Treasure

The Tuesday post I forget...it's so good to forget!
There are a few reasons I love living in an apartment. 

One being I love a good dumpster dig!  I usually don't even need to dig.  Most of the time treasures are found just sitting outside the dumpster. 

Lookie what I found Saturday morning!

 

I can't wait to set a table like this...

 

A great display of coordinating patterns. . .

Just  part of the treasure

A complete set of 12

Noritake Raindance

It complements perfectly with the Boulder Ridge pattern I already have!

I love the creamers I use them for gravy.  Or salsa and queso.  Now I can serve both at the same time in complementing pitchers.

The mugs are big.  They are great for a cup of soup.  I used them Sunday when I served bean soup.  A new recipe I tried from a cookbook from the library.  Click Here to read the review.

I have to say that's a true Trash to Treasure
Linking my Trash to Treasure with Kammy's linky.  Click Here to visit and join the party. 
Linking with Linda for Show and Share Nifty Thrifty Tues....I'd says this was Thrifty.  Click Here
to join her linky.

Wednesday Filled With Words

Wednesdays the day I've been setting aside to write.  Most of my posts are about homemaking, cooking, book reviews, or photo's.

On Wednesday I've either been posting illustrated scripture . . .

Or writing a post about something I've been thinking about. 

The other day a topic that Lisa Jo suggested hit me close to home.   The topic was "Close".
I thought about what I would say if someone said.  Who are your close friends. 

It makes me sad to say but I don't have any close friends.  There are people I know at work.  But I wouldn't really consider them my friends.  They don't even have my phone number. 



I got to thinking about that word and what it means to me in respect to my blog.   I started My Journey Back at a time that I was
really lonely.  I've used this photo for my header and in my posts a lot.  It represents how I feel a lot. 

It's not what I want but it is what it is.  I don't have a closeness with
anyone.  No girlfriends to call up and meet for lunch. 


That's why my blog is important to me.  Meeting people through my blog gives me a chance to find new friends. 


Sometimes I need a shoulder to cry on. 

Sometimes I just need a sounding board.

Sometimes I need someone to ask 'How was your day.'

 

I've been thinking about this post and how to write it for awhile. 

How to share my heart without being whiney and at the same time express how I feel.  

                                 My blog is important to me.  .
The sweet friends that visit and leave a comment bright my day.

My visitors.  My followers.  You are my

                                             Close

                        Happy Trails

Today I wanted to see what elements I could pull together to make the breakfast bar in our apartment look a little more pulled together. So, what do you think?


I used most of the same pieces you've seen before. The blue plates, the red soup crocks which are actually small fondue pots. And the star glasses and flatware. And I moved the lamp that I had on the dining table last week. It really cozy ups this area.
I reused the blue glass candle holders from pier one. And the kind of fancy brown and rusty looking ones too.

I love to incorporate different textures. And I love to use different themes elegant or fancy, primitive or homespun. I love combining different themes. The place mats are some kind of shiny fabric with some embroidery on them and little gold beads on the corners. The napkins add texture and a fallish theme. They are actually just a piece of upholstery fabric.


And for one more texture or theme I left the Cowboy rustic kind of Mexican theme bar stools.

I love that you came by to see my eclectic kind of decorating. I hope you enjoy the visit. Come back soon.  Until Next

Happy Trails . . .

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Blue Monday

Don't fence me in...unless their Blue . . .

Love the flowers peeking through . . .

I've always wanted a little white farm house with a picket fence. Why not Blue?




Bordering a beautiful garden filled with cutting flowers. So I can carry the blooms inside. 

And of course a pretty blue gate . . .

And them maybe a little whimsy

Of course there would have to be a fence on the edge of the property to hold in . . .


                          Joining Sally for Blue Monday. Click Here.
                                   Happy Trails
                                                                              
                                                                           
                                                                   Sherry            

Hear It On Sunday...Use It On Monday

The message was about the Proverbs 31 Woman.
A message to a group of  incarcerated boys 15-18.
A message encouraging them to pray about the woman that God has planned for them.
Most of them have already had a woman girl.  Most already have a child or children.
But, with Gods grace and forgiveness they can be a new person.
A new creation. 
Sweet words we heard almost 4 years ago from a young lady that
made the decision to follow Christ and give up her old life . . .
"I am a new version!"  With excitement she said these words.
She meant to say "I am a new virgin!"  Today I was reminded of these sweet words. 
As I sat and listened to the message I couldn't help but feel unworthy.  As My Cowboy talked about how good a wife I am. 
How God blessed him.    I am grateful for God's grace.  I am humbled.
And, I was reminded of this little joke I saw the other day.

Sometimes you just have to go on.

Sometimes all you can do it Trust in Jesus.

Sometimes you just hold the umbrella.

 

May your Trails be Happy

                                                                   Sherry

The Texas Cowboy Cookbook by Robb Walsh

I am a cookbook lover.  And a Cowboy lover.  Opp's  scratch that . . . too much info right?  How about I love anything relating to horses and ranchin'!  That's better. 

Found this cool book at the library . . .

If have a love for ranchin' and Texas you'll love this book. 
I have a lot of cookbooks and read a lot of Texas Cookbooks.  I have to say this one is my favorite. 

The photos are great.  And it isn't just a cookbook it has a lot to read. 

The cover describes it as A History of Recipes and Photo's. 
And it is.   There are lots of photo's of horses and Cowboys, Chuck Wagons and ranching.

So far I have tested two recipes the Cowboy Beans and the Charro Beans (Mexican Bean Soup). 

My new favorite Pinto Bean recipes!

The recipes are simple without a bunch of ingredients. 


A few of the Chapter Titles include:
West of the Pecos: Sourdough and SOB
Chuck Wagon Cook-Offs: Biscuits,Beans and Cobbler
Powder Puffs and Spurs: Cowgirls in the Kitchen
Urban Cowboys: Honky Tonks and Hamburgers
The New Cowboy Cuisine: Dr. Pepper Tenderloin (I'll be trying this one)

From the back cover:
Home on the Range
Bring the spirit of the Wild West to your home kitchen with this easy to follow guide to hearty
cowboy cooking. . . .
. . . Through over 100 authentic recipes and 100 archival photo's, the food lore of Texas cowboys ( and cowgirls) is brought vividly to life. 

This one is a must get.  I'll be buying a copy at Amazon for myself and ours sons Christmas present. 

                                          Happy Trails





                                            Sherry

Great Buy at the market...Lobster Tails tonight!

Only problem.  Never cooked only the tails.
Usually we've bought the whole lobster and dumped in a pot of water.

So checked on Pinterest and found a couple of broiled recipes so
I am about to attempt broiling these guys. 

Serving with a Tilapia filet on a bed of . . .

Have you tried any of the one pot pasta recipes floating around
Pinterest.   Great easy cooking.  Tonight I am throwing in a zucchini,yellow squash and some spinach.   Delish and fast
and simple! 

I love bargains!  Gotta get that broiler going and pot simmerin'

Happy Trails . . .

Sherry

Five MInute Friday--Nothing

Five Minute Friday a topic,This is the place where once a week we take the chance to just write, and not worry if it’s just right or not. Five minutes flat. Here’s how the game works: you simply stop, drop and write. Set your words free. Don’t edit them, don’t fret over them, don’t try to make them perfect. Just plan simple writing.
Please note this topic/post is not my normal cheery, encouraging
post.  Today instead of being the encourager.  I need encouraging.

Go...Nothing it's always the same.  Nothing changes.
No phone call, no text.  Oh there's the occasional. . . 'Mom
will you babysit.' Beyond that nothing. 
It seems that I've cried so many tears that nothing would be left.  But there are always more. 
There more tears cried.  The more prayers are prayed it seems that the nothingless becomes bigger.  The chasm
gets wider.  When we're together there is nothing to talk about. 
I cry more.  My heart breaks. 
And then there is Peace.  It breaks through the nothingness.
It's a Peace that pass all understanding.  Because I don't
understand.
I can only trust.  Believe and hope. 
Stop.

Joining LisaJo for 5 Minute Friday.  Click here to join/visit.

Wishing You Many Happy Trails


Have a good day

Sherry

Don't Fence Me In

Fences and Gates . . . seen a few in my day . . . I actually love gates
especially if I don't have to open them. LOL.

When a Cowboy rides in the truck with friends he sits in the middle so he doesn't have to open the gate.  LOL.

Not so true anymore since everyone has 4 door trucks. 

Well here's a few fences and gates . . .

Worked many a gate this girl has.  She loves Horse Shows.
Her favorite class is Trail.  Horse and rider have to complete a pattern of obstacles.  Including opening a gate. 


One from the days in Colorado.  Looks like a greeting card I think.


Love boots on fences. Not sure exactly where I took this one.
Borrowed this one from Pinterest for a Blue Monday post. I love picket fences! Especially painted ones.

And ending with a special one . . .

I realized I love photo's of fences.  I need to get my camera out!

Happy Trails . . .

                                                  Just had to add this one!

Linking with Texas Wise Girl at Run Around Mountain.
Click Here for more fence posts!

What would your table say?

 What Would Your Table Say?

So, do you ever wonder if your dining room table could talk what it would say?

Crazy idea. But . . .

. . . stop and think about it?

How many family dinners have been set at your table?

Today I am sharing a special dining room table.  And boy if she could talk the stories she would tell!

This beautiful girl has had many dinners laid out on her.
Many, many prayers have been prayed.

This beauty was donated to the ministry that I founded back
in 2000.  This is one of the last photo's taken before our program ended. 

It is bittersweet to look at the photos from those days.  I remember
when we first added the dinner hour to our program.   Hearing the stories of girls that said they had never sat a table to eat a family meal. 

Well that got me off and running.  I made a few phone calls and the next week we had salads, casseroles, desserts and china to feed these sweet girls. 

It was a sweet and special time.  And then, things changed.
That beautiful table ended up at my home for awhile.





All set and waiting for my daughter to arrive so we could plan a holiday meal.


I enjoyed it while it was with me.  Although we didn't sit at it everyday.  There weren't as many prayers prayed around it. 
It was a beautiful blessing. 


During the time that beautiful table was with us I learned a lot about patience and waiting on the Lord. 

Now it is being used again at a boys home.  I haven't been able to visit.  But I know that once again God is using its beauty to share
and show his love to teenagers that need him desperately.

There are lots and lots of beautiful stories she can tell.
 
Wow I wonder what sweet stories it could tell now?
So what stories will your table tell

Sharing stories of Grace with Imparting Grace today. 
Click here to visit the linky.
Linking with Miz Helen at Full Plate Thursday
Click here to visit.
Linking with Katherine at Favorite Things.
Click here to visit.


Until next time. . . Happy Trails

Sherry

Hodge Podge Wednesday A New Linky

 

 

Saw this at my friend Denise's thought it looked like fun . . 

1.What news story are you following right now?

The weather.  We need ran.  Flooding in Houston.

2. What's the last thing you wanted but didn't get?

A different job at work.  I had an opportunity to take a new position. (PreK teacher I teach 3 year olds now).  The hours were different.  And not a raise right away.  I decided to stay where I am.

 3 28th is National Hamburger Day...when did you last have a hamburger? Other than your own kitchen or BBQ grill, where is your favorite place to go for a hamburger? And for all you non-meat eaters out there...when you're invited to a cookout what is one side dish you hope is on the menu?

 

 

 

A local small restaurant called Ernies.  They are a great sea food place.  We went for

lunch one day.  I was craving a burger.  So yummy.  If your ever in North Richland

Hills, Texas check out Ernies.

.
4. How have your priorities changed over time?

God and family.  But as family (children) leave or as elders go to be with the Lord it changes.  You make at least I do new priorities.  Hmmm....that sounds like a post topic.
     5. What's a favorite memory with your grandparents?

 

 

 

 

.

This was the one that caused me to join the Linky!  My grandfather had a really small vegetable garden.  A garden on blackberries and watermelons.  He was never successful with the melons.  Our summer treats ended up coming from the local Safeway.

But he could grow some blackberries!  My two favorite fruits.  Thanks to my grandparents

 

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being fantastic!), how good are you at multitasking? Share an example.
Well 10 of course aren't all women!

7. How would you summarize your highs and lows for the month of May?
High having a birthday lunch with our grandson.  He's turned 6.                                          Low. That was the only visit with him.
8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Vacations are to short.  I love my job.  And love that I get a week off every few months. It is so nice!
Thanks Denise for sharing this new Linky.  Click here to join Hodge Podge Wednesday
        Happy Trails

Smiles

Sherry