Thoughts On A Sunday

Here it is the Sunday after Thanksgiving and I hope all of you had a great holiday weekend.

Mom and I enjoyed a good meal at Cracker Barrel Thursday.  No cooking & no cleaning this year!  Worked for us!  I did buy a pecan pie and have been eating a piece now and then!  

The kids went to the mountains and had a great time.  Here are some great photos they shared!

Diggin in the dirt

Excitement at a waterfall!

I love this photo!  She is so cute!

Shopping for Thanksgiving dinner!

Family photo!!

I am getting better but I am still having this pesky cough.  It woke me up last night and took awhile to get back to sleep.  It has made today a long one.  I have worked on the Christmas decorations today...

A little sneak peek at one of the cubbies!  I have lots more tweaking to do before I share it all with you.  I'm hoping to go simpler this year.  It is honestly getting harder and harder to get all the bins out, put up the decorations and then after Christmas take it all down.  I will continue to decorate, but maybe less will be more for me.  

Of course my 'less' is still a lot to some people! 

I want to try to really relax and enjoy this Christmas season with an emphasis on Faith, Family and Friends.  I have a few get together's and some church activities already on the calendar.  I've decided to keep gift giving simple this year.  Most of the purchases have been made.  I'm hoping to get my health back up to normal and to see Mom get better also.  Lots of things to look forward to and memories to look back on this year.

I hope to post more on my blog but sometimes it seems so hard, but I'll try.  I read your posts every day and enjoy my visits with you.  The friendships I've made through blogging are really precious to me.  Let the season begin! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

  

What's Up Wednesday

It is 1pm and I'm still in my robe and slippers drinking my 2nd cup of coffee.  It's been that kind of day (week, month), so allow me to whine..(and I don't mean the good kind with a corkscrew and glass).  
If you follow my blog you know that I hurt my back the end of October.  It really has put me out of commission.  Lots of rest and heating pad time.  So it's finally getting better and the pain migrates to my bad knee (hey I'm 65 I have a bad knee).  More heating pad time and FINALLY my body is doing better.  Maybe I can get out of this house for a bit.  So out I go and do a few errands.  Next thing I know I have a scratchy throat that has now turned into a full blown case of cough, hoarseness and fatigue.  I can't seem to feel better and darn it I'm tired of feeling icky! 
OK, Whine over...back to our regularly scheduled blog time...

This is all the Fall decor I have out.  I got it out in October before hurting my back and this is where I'm still at.  No pumpkins or my cute Publix Pilgrims.  This will just have to do!

I'm not even sure of our Thanksgiving plans right now but there will be turkey!!

So the good things are as follows:

Scout turned 7 mos old!

Got a cute winter hat 

and met Santa for the first time and looked terrified!
(she was really OK...lol)

Tiger helps keep Scout from going where she shouldn't

Saw a Nascar Race at Talladega with his Dad

Camped and Explored at Bald Rock, AL

Went to the family farm in So Ga

and enjoyed some time quiet time

and also saw Santa but wasn't terrified at all...love the squint eyes on both of them!  Oh and broken candy cane...

So if you are still with me through the whine and the  pics of the Grands, I have a question.

I found this at a thrift store and was intrigued and bought it for .50  I thought it might be an egg cup of some sort, but can't find anything like it on the web.

What do you think?

These are the markings and they haven't helped me one bit.  I'm just curious, so if anyone knows will you please leave a comment! 

I can't end this post without mentioning how sad I am about the events in Paris last week.  You know Paris has a special place in my heart and the terror there and all over the world is such a horrible and heartbreaking thing.  I pray not only for Paris but for all of us.  

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Z is for Zoo

This is a post from 2012 when Sara and I took Tiger to the 

Zoo.  He was only 18 months old! I love looking

back at photos of when he was little.

It was so much fun. 

I can't wait until Spring when we can

take Tiger and Scout!

This is a very small zoo in Athens, GA

It's part of one of the many parks in Athens and free.  

So much to do in this awesome town!

He is very good about staying on the sidewalk

Two alligators sunning themselves...this one was looking at me I swear!

A pheasant....looking through glass

Mama helped him to see the pheasant better

Looking at the turkeys...none would gobble for us on this day!  

Let's Go!!  His attention span is not bad for a wee one,

 but he does like to keep on the move!

These guys were my favorite animal at the zoo

They were busy resting on this hot afternoon

Tiger liked the bears as they were pretty close and easy to see!

Time to go!  We saw several other animals but it was hard to get photos.  Lots of kids everywhere and Tiger kept joining them.  He loves other children!  

I have to share this more recent series of photos of Tiger with you.  He is such
a Joy and full of fun and laughter!

Joining Alphabe-Thur 
this is the last round of Alphabe-Thur for Jenny.  At first she was going to 
stop blogging but I think she is going to try to host another party and at least stay in touch.  Those of us who love her are so glad! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Who Won The Wreath??

Thank you to all who entered this great giveaway from

Tree Classics! 

I used the random number generator and the winner is

Carol of Art and Sand

Carol's response to winning...

Wow!

I am so excited! I have never had a wreath on our front door, but I am also thinking that it would look great hanging in the house in front of the center window in the dining room.

Thanks so much for doing the Giveaway!.

Again my thanks to Tree Classics and their fabulous 40 for 40 celebration! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

A Special Christmas Giveaway!

I know it's only November, but when Nick from Tree Classics contacted me to be a part of their 40th Anniversary Giveaway...well of course I said yes!   They are giving away 40 gifts from 40 different bloggers!  

Founded in 1976, they have a long history of making the worlds best artificial Christmas trees.  They have expanded their business to include many other Christmas items.  Check out their website and get into the spirit of the season!

I was given a choice of items for my giveaway and I chose the Classic Noble Fir Wreath
for one of you to win!

They have matching garlands and so many other gorgeous Christmas items to choose from.

To enter you must live in the USA (for shipping purposes).  Please leave a comment on my blog that you would like to be entered and tell me one item from their website that you would love to add to your Christmas decorating from Tree Classics!

I will draw a name on Thursday Nov 12th

The item will be shipped to you directly from the company.  I have not been compensated for this giveaway, but my name will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Tree Classics (fingers crossed for me).

I thank this wonderful company for asking me to join them in this great 40 year celebration and giveaway! 

Also this is my 1000 post and my 6 year anniversary of blogging!
Lots to celebrate!

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Rainy Day News!

How are all of you on this rainy Sunday? 

Well it's rainy here in GA and has been for a very long time.  I need some sunshine but will just have to wait it seems. 

The soggy view out my front door!

If you follow me on Facebook then you know that I hurt my back over a week ago.  I was watching Rosemary and we were on the floor playing.  I got up and picked her up and when I stood up straight...ding ding ding...pain.  Lower back.  I was able to hold her while I sat in my glider until her Dad picked her up.  I thought a few days and my back would be better, but it wasn't.  Sara and Blake found a friend to watch the baby the two days a week I've been doing it for the month of Nov.  I miss my sweet girl but I could not safely watch her.   It's been a about 10 days and I'm slowly getting better.  No lifting, bending or carrying anything the least bit heavy.  

Sara and Rosemary come over every few days to check on me and take care of anything I can't/shouldn't do.  (this photo is from Halloween, Sara doesn't always wear a wolf hat).  

I am so thankful for my sweet daughter as she has been here for me and made sure I had time to heal.  I haven't seen Tiger in over a week so Tue I am going over for supper.  Can't wait!

So what have I been doing?

A LOT of this...reading and I even felt up to a trip to the library yesterday...yay me! 

A whole LOT of this...I had to buy a heating pad!  I can't believe I didn't own one, but now I do!

and a bit more of this then I normally do also! 

Not just The Walking Dead of course, but they better let me know tonight is Glenn dead or not??

moving on...

Music of course helps and I can't tell you how much I LOVE this new CD from Don Sparks & Dan Bonis.  It is like you are sitting around with friends playing guitar and singing.  Truly awesome.  Don is the husband of Claudia who blogs at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.  They are two of the most awesome folks I've come to know through blogging.  Claudia recently lost her Father and has been dealing with a lot, but is home now and I hope starting to heal.  Anyway, check out this CD HERE.  You can listen to some tracks and judge for yourself, but its awesome!  (Say It Twice is my favorite track right now).  If you love James Taylor, Lyle Lovett or Tom Rush you will love this!  Don is also a wonderful actor and was recently on The Good Wife. 

As my back has been feeling better I've done a little work on some pocket letters.  

This one is for a swap on Facebook Pocket Pals.

I was thinking of hosting a pocket letter swap for Christmas but because of my back, I didn't feel like I could commit to it right now.  My good friend Deb at Garage Sale Gal is hosting one and I would love it if you would check it out and join in!  Here is the link to the swap post...you have until Nov 11th to sign up.  First timers are welcome! 

I just found some Christmas washi tape at Dollar Tree and some great stickers, so I'll be working on a few Christmas pl's this week.  

photo by Deb Hogan

Deb's inspiration PL on her blog! 

Mom has been doing well and healing up from her oral surgery.  I was able to drive her to the Dr last Monday and if she needs anything Sara has offered to help.  I think we will make a short trip to the store tomorrow, but no buying anything heavy!

So what have you been up too? 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Still Thrifting?? YES!!

I haven't shared a thrifty finds post in a very long time.  I am still visiting my favorite thrift stores, but not as frequently and I'm buying much much less.  One reason is that I'm downsizing my collections so buying less and also trying to only buy things I need or really love!

This sweet little transferware dish falls into the LOVE category!  Its a tiny little thing and it was only .50!!  Unmarked but maybe a nut dish? 

I'll drop rings or earrings in it on my dresser.

Also in the love category, is this shelf sitter.  This little girl's face is priceless and for .25 she had to come to my house for Christmas! 

This haul includes a few loves, some useful items and yes something for one of my collections! 

The white planter was a bargain so joined the others I recently shared with you here

Sometimes pretty things just need to be saved.  This pottery leaf was too nice to leave at the thrift shop and those cookie cutters will be great for crafting.  Under $1 for both...score.

I love the soup bowls with the little handles.  I recently bought one at Big Lots for $4 but got both of these for $1 total..score.  I love Tervis Tumblers and when I find them in good shape and cheap I buy.  The glass spoon and the ceramic shoe...ok so these might have been impulse buys but they were cheap!  

I haven't bought milk glass in ages but these pieces were too pretty and such a good bargain.  The plates (there are two of them) match my collection in the Harvest pattern.  The sweet little bowl with the green insides just called to me!  All three for $2...

I am always looking for things for the Grands.  Tiger is into Super Hero's so these 4 were $1 total.  I also always buy books and at .50 each a great bargain.  The picnic basket shape sorter was $1. 

So YES I am still thrifting! 

Sharing at 

Alphabe-Thur

Share Your Cup

and Vintage Charm

Wishing you JOY,

Linda