Memorial Day Church Camp Out 2013

Here is a sample of the great weekend

I just spent with my big church family!

I felt soooo relaxed and happy 

through the whole weekend, even

when it poured rain.

I had hours of visiting and laughing

uproariously, seeing my very dearest friends

all around, joining in with the fun and

 singing around the bonfire late into 

the night.

I felt all my troubles of the past year

retreat and was able to just be.

 dear Edna, boys at play, goofy friends, falls, my

camping gals....

finding an old ladder, good friend, Tom cooking up a storm,

 Telling stories-wait for it- the big laughs are coming!

 The parade begins, niece and great nieces, exploring

The parade ends, fellowship, quiet river, Gwennie,

Tea/over the hill 50th party surprise!

It was a delight in every way and I'm already looking

forward to next year.

Just Lookin' Like Summer

We've had such a marvelous May with

sunny, warm days and balmy nights

that I got inspired to add a few new pillows

on my bed to give it that summer feel.

Also the patchwork pillow was all

made from a little bundle of fabric I got 

at a G-sale for $1...

Gotta say whoever bought those fabrics is

my sewing sister!

The other new cases are all thrift finds too:)

Hope you are all looking forward to some

summer joy also!

Spring Look at Rusty Glamour

I've been working hard to get my booth

freshened up for the beautiful spring

we are having...

Beautiful Motherhood

This is my daughter

who is expecting my 3rd grandchild 

in July.

I'm so glad that moms these days are

proud of their pregnant bodies,

not trying to hide them under tents

like we did in years past.

Babies are still the greatest miracle this sad

world has ever known!

I thank God every day for them.

For the Roses....

"For the roses that I gather,

for the thorns their stems contain,

thanks for both dear heavenly Father,

though the thorns have brought me pain."

 "For the trials on the journey,

for the cross that I must bear,

thank you God and stay beside me,

lifting me from dark despair."

photos's taken at 

Rose Gardens, Portland Or

by Karen

1940's Picnic for Mother's Day and Birthday 2013

My blog was the inspiration

for the ideas my kids came up with

for this celebration...

from my favorite recipes to

vintage clothes to picnics to hikes...

They did a wonderful job of all

of it and it was a glorious perfect day

with the sun pouring through the trees

onto our picnic place.

My family including spouses and grand kids

 They are truly wonderful adults who love me

and support me and make sure I know 

that I'm special...

I am blessed!

From Nothing to a Cottage Garden

Since moving to small house

in town I have been trying to make

the best of it...the lack of privacy 

has been different and the idea of

a long summer spent in a sad side yard

made ME sad, so...

I began with this

And after lots of hard work on many sunny

glorious days with sweat pouring down my face, 

I have something I have always wanted-

A Cottage Garden

 The ladder above was my Dad's and I treasure

it knowing that his feet climbed up and down

it many times through the years.

The potting bench was a free item that 

a thrift store owner begged me to take when I 

bought a few other things.

I finished it with a faux galvanized metal top 

and used a upside down shelf for the top.

What is a True Man of God?

My brother-in-law Mike

passed away from brain cancer a month 

ago and was laid in his final resting place today.

I have thought often of how I might give a tribute

to him here.

Today it came to me...

A true man of God trusts his Savior for his full salvation

and rejoices in it.

He cares for his family

loves his wife,

disciplines his children with love.

He helps others quietly without

seeking any acclaim for himself.

He carefully stays out of peoples lives and

does not gossip or speak ill of them.

He gently goes about doing good

and never asks for recompense.

He serves the church because the church 

is his family also.

When the end of his life comes

he faces it with strength and dignity

and goes to meet His Lord with an open 

heart and open arms.

That is a true man of God.

In memory of Mike

with much love and prayers to 

my sister Kathy

Clothing Sale

I have a few items left of my line 

of Kids clothes...

click on this link to go to the page

Polka-dots & Posies

Spring Bazaar

The attendance at the Spring Bazaar

was not very good so I didn't sell

as much as I had hoped.

However I thought my booth set up

 turned out really fun

and that's important too:)

I will be having a blog sale shortly

with my remaining items.