Answered Prayers

Answered prayers sometimes escape me....or so I used to think. Early last year, a fervent prayer of mine was for patience. With a graduation approaching and my mom's health at a turning point, I needed a patient heart post-haste. The days turned to weeks and then months....and then the other day, after a *cough* very stressful day, I realized I was dealing with everything patiently. Alone in the car, I stopped right then and there and thanked God. My prayer had been answered, it just took me a little while to realize it.

As I've said before, I never was much for thrifting. Then along comes my daughter, Emily, who appreciates anything old and treasured. So, every now and then I accompany Emily on her treasure hunts. Last week we had good luck...

...a covered candy dish, cake stand and open candy dish, which I want to use for soap in my bathroom.
A few teacups to add to the collection...
...we found the saucer for this one at an estate sale a couple of months ago for ten cents. The cup was a "must have" for a dollar.
I love teacups with flowers...the little spoon is one from a whole slew that Emily collected as a little girl when we traveled, most found at Cracker Barrel.
And...the best find of the day...a Nikko cup and saucer with a matching bread and butter plate, all for $2.50. I am partial to the ivy design.
Em spied this little magazine table, so technically it's hers...but is staying cozy in my living room for now. Thanks for getting me interested in yet another way to spend money, Honey. I'm sure Daddy really appreciates it.
I didn't need to start another project, but I did. Timothy has asked for a sweater vest. I bought some yarn, and then came across this pattern in a book I've had for many moons. It is a 1930's pattern that calls for Patons Classic Wool. Guess what kind of yarn I had picked up?
I picked a charcoal color....and I'm looking forward to the cables. When I told Tim this is a slow knit, he said "that's ok, I'll have it for next winter, right?" My kinda guy...patient.
Not much news in these parts...I'm working every day next week and have several appointments scheduled for my mom the next. Before we know it, Valentines Day will be here! It's one of my favorite days...one in which I tend to spoil all the women in my life. I have a couple of simple gift ideas, but can't show them until after the *heart* day.

We are in the midst of a deep freeze here, complete with below zero temperatures and more snow. I'm thankful for a warm home and plenty of work & play to keep me busy. I hope you are all finding peace and, once in a while, an answered prayer.

"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go."

~Abraham Lincoln

As The Snow Flies

"If I know what love is, it is because of you." ~ Herman Hesse

Another snowy day here in Michigan. I have been a little under the weather again with the same allergy problem I had last month. I have since been to the doctor and will undergo more testing to find some relief. It's funny, really....I never had one allergy problem until my early 40's. Go figure.

Anywho, here's a picture I just took looking out the back. It's still coming down....but I haven't paid attention to how much we are supposed to get. I guess when the snow stops, I'll know : )

I wanted to share a couple of special items I received for my birthday. My friend, Sherry, made me the cute cup and saucer pin cushion...

...and gifted me four fabulous books. One for everything, crochet, knitting, sewing and scrapbooking. Thanks for your love and friendship, Sherry.

My sweet Emily found this vintage key chain....she knows her mom pretty well.
It really opens!

Thank you Emily for your gift of love. I'm so blessed that you're my girl.
My son Timothy got me a favorite gift...the perfume and shower gel that I absolutely love. Tim's best gift was for Christmas....can you believe he and a buddy went to Joann Fabrics, got me a gift card, and actually picked out a knitting magazine for me? I wish I could have been a fly on the wall watching them pick out the magazine.

Emily and I did a little "thrifting" yesterday. I plan to post on that booty tomorrow. For now, I hope to get three pairs of pants cut out while the snow flies.

Busy Hands, Happy Heart

This New Year Bring Joy to Your Heart

Greetings and salutations. After enjoying the busy holiday season, it feels so good to get back here....it brings joy to my heart.

My hands have surely been busy. First, a hat I finished for the hubby. I used Patons Classic Wool held together with Patons Decor, which made for a very cushy, soft hat....he likes it.

One half of a pair of knitted slippers, part of the after-Christmas gifts I need to finish. The color on this picture isn't true, in real life it's a little brighter...this was also made holding two strands together.

The gang from work came up with the idea for a Progressive Party. Since that's happening this Saturday, I got busy with some inexpensive hostess gifts. My busom buddy Sherry gave me the idea. You use tumbled tiles, a paper image of your choosing, and decoupage glue. This was a very fun and easy project. I will be making more.

Here they are all wrapped in little checked bags...I made the cards, but I could use a class in cardmaking. The other little bags are filled with candy for placecard favors.

My heart is especially happy these days...it's heavenly to be home and tending to my loved ones. I haven't put my Christmas things away yet...I toyed with the idea of leaving them up until Epiphany, but I don't think I can hold out. Once the party is over on Saturday, I know I'll be eager to put away and organize. I have decided to move my sewing to the basement...it's too tight a squeeze in our bedroom. More on that later. For now, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year, filled with much love, happiness, good health and blessings.

"Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto man His Son hath given; While angels sing with tender mirth, A glad new year to all the earth." ~Martin Luther