Smile!

i think i will.  

how's 'bout you?

smiles make your face very attractive.

less stress.

more grace,

d

Pigeon Hole

Just got back from the little FAIR where we ate Supper and toured the exhibits.  The HOMEMADE Ice Cream was ooooh so creamy, cold and good.

dad. gum. mit...i forgot my camera.  

internet help needed.

So many different breeds of Pigeons.  

Amazing.

Pigeons have been around so much longer than I have.

Never have I seen so many different kinds.

My FAVORITES were the Jacobin that look like it's wearing a opera cape and the Frilly Back that is different with the ruffly feathers instead of straight.

Two Jacobin were in the same cage leaning toward one another while standing close together like they were lovers on a date with their backs turned to the viewers.

JACOBIN

GIANT RUNTS

CHINESE OWL

BUDAPEST

GERMAN BEAUTIFUL HOMER

FRILL BACK

Though our FAIR is a tiny one, 

that doesn't stop the locals from showing off their prized creatures.

Pigeons on the Prairie can be unique.  

Not just Buffalo and Cattle grazing the area.  

The Prairie has some culture after all,

d 

Line Upon Line

Hope you had a pleasant week-end.  

*Raining off and on.  Cooler temps like it should be September.  Wonderful and easy to enjoy. 

*Mission accomplished.  Friday Haircut happened.  Hallelujah!  
I feel 5 pounds lighter.

 

*Friday Night Date Night with Hubby.  We browsed the local Antique Mall and spied an extra set of Blue Willow Sugar and Creamer Set for our collection.  

Supper Salad under the trees.  Relaxing.  Time together to talk.  The weather was pleasant where we had the auto windows down.


















We were driving around when we saw a "FREE STUFF" sign out front of an Antique Store.  Free Stuff?  FREEEEEE!  Went home with some white Ironstone Platters and bowls.  Lovely!
 
*Week-end KSU Gardens Sale.  Purchased HUCKLEBERRY FUDGE Irises.  Bought some.  Success.

*Full day of running Saturday errands and shopping having gone to 14 locations.

*Dropped off some books at the thrift store and of course went looking for more treasures.  It's been a while since I shopped this place.  Bought a heavy metal Family room lamp with shade for $4.99.  


*Excited to get this Treasure:  1962 Hardback Book for $1.99.
Heloise's Housekeeping Hints.  Will share.  Blog fodder.
How were things done 51 years ago?  Surely she will tell me something that I have overlooked or didn't think about.


 

*Sunday, spent time on the computer researching Depression Glass Companies and Manhattan History as my sweet Husband assembled and built a couple Kitchen cabinets that he hung up 

a l l. b y. h i m s e l f.

There is an elf in himself.  He is making great headway and the Kitchen is taking shape.  I can see this room completed in my mind's eye.  Exciting.  What will it be like to cook in a nice Kitchen again?  Am waiting.  Dreaming.  Imagining.
 

*Put last coat of white paint on the old Parlour Door!!!  Pat myself on the back.  She is finished for now.  

*Will tidy Parlour this week.

*Preparing house for company arriving Friday.

*Guest room is ready for company with fresh sheets on the bed.

*Figured Menu for up coming week. 

*Hamburgers with French Fries for Supper.  Don't forget the Ketchup.

*Still raining,
d


“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 
Matthew 5:14, 16

Life is like a camera...

Pizza Business

whaaah...

.....i'm feeling it today.

had a great outing yesterday, but today my ole body is feeling it.

soooo tired. 

12 hour childcare days out an about with much time in the auto has 'bout dun me ole self in.

down to one car on wednesday and needed to stay away from radioactive hubby so i was up early to drive daughter into the city and stayed around town so i could pick her up after work.

had a fun long day. 
lil miss did really well for as long as we were out in the world.
she's a pleasant child. 

have never stayed all day with a grandchild in manhattan just looking for things to do for 12 solid hours with out a nap in there.

looking forward to my friday hair appointment 

and the week-end following.

will put feet up.

hope your week is going well.

i need prayer,

d

Tuesday

Today I get a taste of Autumn Weather that will come our way in the Fall.  It's deep breathing time.  Coffee cup balanced on the arm of my chair with some alone time as Lil Miss is at Vacation Bible School.  The skies are grey.  Gentle breeze rustling the leaves in the trees.  Birds are singing in their native languages.

After I dropped Lil Miss off, the Church bells chimed 9 times as I walked to the car.  It is a comforting sound.  Temps will be in the low 70s.  Window is open and there's no humidity.  Home air conditioners are off which will save on electricity expenses.  

Stopped off at the Post Office in Small Town America to pick up mail.  A birthday package from Alaska.  Grins.  Warms my heart.  Don't you love birthday packages in the mail?

Waking early this morning, I paid the telephone bill by phone.  Like being able to pay some of the bills via phone.  Load of undies in the washing machine.  Did a load of dishes already and will paint the Parlour room front door trim this morning.  Yesterday I added another coat of Dutch Boy Cabinet and Trim Paint to the front door.  It went on so easy and only took me about 30 minutes.  Tom Sawyer would have been very proud of me.  I was. 

When Lil Miss returns to school in August, I hope to paint Parlour trim a little here and there each day until it is completed.  That means scooting the furniture to one side of the room, covering it up, prep the painting area, paint, wait a day, paint a second coat, allow time to dry, clean up area and scoot furniture back into place.  Superwoman here.  No rush on this.  I'd like it to be leisurely work where I see progress by Christmas, but first comes the Guest room.  That will take a chunk of time as the entire room is wood beaded board that will need primed and painted several coats of paint.  Oh my....when that is done, I will take pictures and brag.  Long time in the coming.  White Priscilla Curtains will be hung and a light placed in the window that comes on each evening.

This year, I am in such hopes that the refreshing of the inside of our Haven will be nearly completed.  So much completed.  

The Birds are chirping in the cool of the day.  It is peaceful here right at this moment.  No television or radio is on.  No one else around.  Thinking about the things I'd like to accomplish today as I prepare for company to visit next week. 

Blessings to you,
d

DECORATING ON THE PRAIRIE: Did you hear that?

~Decorating On The Prairie~

What do you like to decorate with or collect?

What would HOME be without items that you need to function with 
as well as items that need to nourish your inner solace?

Without, 

HOME would it be an empty place?

Your presence is needed to make your living space a HOME.  
That's the number one ingredient in making a place a HOME.  
Your Presence is so important.

Love is in there as well.

Without it, the location is void 

of your warmth, talent, skills, personality, spirit and body.  

You make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

Wanted to call out a good thing.

Objects can come and go.  They break, get misplaced, can be stolen or wear out.  
There doesn't seem to be a shortage in the United States of America of things.  

Keeping a healthy balance between not going hog wild over everything 
and appreciating what we have, 

can cut back on being foolish with our spending. 

Our appetites can certainly get us into trouble.

Things can certainly enhance our daily lives and add lots of character to ones HOME.  Events come alive when there are items to assist us in entertaining when celebrating people's accomplishments or live out daily activities.  

Still NONE is more meaningful than heartfelt words of praise.

Much can be done with imagination holding hands with creativity.

Through the years,

you may have heard others say,

"The Lord told me to do this."

Hopefully it was in a good way and not with malice in mind.  

Malice wouldn't be the Lord, but one's own evil devices.

One must be cautious when told the Lord told me.

I no longer believe everything I hear or read.

Things must be examined and kept balanced with 

the healthiness of Biblical Counsel.

When it comes to DECORATING,

I have been praying for God's direction in how to 

DECORATE MY HOME.  

How to get the best use out of the space we do have.

For burst of energy and enthusiasm to clean, rearrange, 

paint, polish, pick up, etc. 

Being virtuous. 

A few years ago, 

I sensed that the Lord encouraged me to buy METAL.

I asked Him what He meant by this and how should I do this.

Items made out of metals... rang a bell.

So....if the item is a good price,

desirable shape,

useful function, and has resale value,

I consider buying it to add it to our estate.

This chafing dish was my Hubby's idea.

He pointed it out to me and I said, "Okay!"

I didn't have a FANCY CHAFING DISH.

I liked it and the price was pretty good.

She needs a stand and a glass dish to go inside.

The glass dish will not be difficult to come up with 

and I have a stand that will work.

Are there certain items you crave to decorate with?

Colors?

Do you have a theme?

What warms your heart 

that you have in your Home? 

Right now I just want my Home in 

maintenance mode.

That would mean everything in its place and a place for everything.

Our Kitchen is coming along.

Soon I will have my Formal Dining room back.

Right now she is a warehouse. 

While I wait for this to come together....I have to busy myself with what needs done to run our HOME even when she's torn up.

The nuts and bolts of running a HOME isn't always glamorous, fashionable, or interesting but truly someone needs to do it 

and I'm that someone!

I walk around my Home these days and look at all the messes 

and find myself saying out loud, "I will be victorious."

When you are running on empty, don't have the funds, waiting for completion, fatigued or ill perhaps living in an ongoing remodeling job...it's important to keep the FAITH, 

have hope, direction, determination.

Vision.

Have vision that these task will come to pass.

Decorating On the Prairie will need to be fun.

Don't forget to have a sense of humor.

Laugh once in awhile.

Pray for joy.

Back to the CHAFING DISH.

She's a beauty and I look forward to serving some delicious dish from this dish 
to my hubby, my dish.

Blessings to you,

d

contributing post to
The Christian Home Magazine
www.daybydayinourworld.com 

Unstoppable: Official Movie Trailer (Kirk Cameron, 2013)

You CAN have your Cake and Eat it Too.

~CAKE~

The Old Fashion Way

The week-end is here and I am relieved to be sitting in my own HOME.  Just heard thunder in the distance as the skies are clouding up.  Summer Rain Storm in the forecast.  Rolling this way.

The sounds from outside the stone house sound differently than from inside a wooden structure or brick.  There's something about this 'ole two story rock house that muffles the sounds.  I'm getting use to it these days.  Been here for 6 and a half years.

This is the longest amount of time that my Husband and I have been living in one structure in all of our 38 years of marriage.  39 in August.  39.  19 when I married. 




Sippin' on a diet A&W Rootbeer while sitting in my overstuffed chair typing on the computer, recalling the last few weeks.   My brother visited us last week-end.  Deliberately took him to PUFFY's for a steak.  

Drove on over to Topeka.  He didn't want to tour the Capitol Building, but drove past it and the Topeka High School.  Both are beautiful structures.

One of the funniest things we did was to sing Beatle Tunes as they came to mind.  We sounded awful.  He's a big fan and as we were singing, it was amazing how many songs from the past came forth.  

There was a lot of the na na naaa naaaa lyrics as we could not remember all the words, but still it brought laughter with smiles as we putted about in traffic.
 

Mom and Dad, Brother Dave, Daughter, Lil Miss and Hubby helped me celebrate my 58th Birthday on my actual birthday on July 14th.  Daughter fixed the best Pot Roast with potatoes 'n carrots that I've had in a long time for my PRESENT.  Delicious. 


My 81 year old Momma fixed a ANGEL FOOD Cake that was soooo light that there's no way it had any calories. WONDERFUL.  We ate cake the old fashioned way by sitting around a dining room table with loved ones present.  They became my PRESENTS and the CAKE was my DESSERT.

Received Blessings from Husband, Parents, Siblings, Children and Grandchildren with well wishes, phone calls, cards, or gifts.  They became my gifts and I became a year older....and much wiser.  

The day was hot, dry with blue skies.  I was born on a hot day way back when.

A busy week with family visiting, a birthday date with my Sweetheart at Harry's, a couple of Doctor's appointments, several trips to Manhattan and Topeka.



Mid-week, I picked up from the Public Library, the HBO movie, GREY GARDENS.  I have been wanting to see this for a few years now, so I finally got my wish.  Perhaps you are very familiar with this story line...I wasn't.  Just saw actual photos on the internet and recreated ones for the movie.  Pause.  I can see how not keeping up can happen.  

Next I will have to watch the actual documentary that came out in the 70's.  The actual photographs make me sigh.  SIGH.  Deanna, take a deep breath and get to dusting.  Rid yourself of clutter.  That paper pile you've let stay without filing.....file 'em....like now.

I have tubs of paper that I confess have not been touched in years.  It's a ignored sin in my life that has to go.  That spare bedroom that is out of order....will be in order this time next year.  I do declare.



We'd go onto dining at HARRY's to have a personal celebration together as Husband and Wife.  I love my Husband.  I love this place.  Love it.  It is good medicine to me.  I had a Dinner Salad with Soup.  A cup of Coffee with CAKE.  I ate it the old fashioned way...with my Husband across the booth from me.  I love him.  The cake was alright.  The Ice Cream was better than the CAKE.  Being OLD FASHIONED was the BEST of all.

This week, Husband had a meeting with a surgeon about his goitre.  The young man barely looked old enough to tie his shoes let alone be a surgical doctor that would slit my husband's throat to remove half of his thyroid.  Hum....which has caused me to do medical research gathering info about what is out there in cyberspace.  Much prayer will go into this project.  Before we go the surgical route....there must be some old home remedies to try.  I'm thankful for modern medicine, but cannot forget the tried and true old home remedies first.

I believe in prayer, so I will be praying to our Heavenly Father.

The Surgeon said this procedure would be done as an out patient and Hubby would go home the same day.  I question the wisdom in this decision.....I had a partial removal of my thyroid 3 years ago and even with pain pills, there is huge discomfort and a watchful medical eye needs to be on hand.  I do declare.....Vets treat their dogs better than people are treated.

I do declare.....so before we go this route with my Husband....there will be some more planning and homework done.

AFTERWARDS...we visited a new thrift place.  The Lord blessed me.  I found BLUE WILLOW DISHES made by CHURCHILL.  The same company that I'm buying new ones from.

4 Dinner plates, 14 Tea Cups, 4 Saucers and Gravy Boat later... I'm smiling and rejoicing that I have added to our collection at a DISCOUNT!!!  

On the HOME FRONT, 
I continue to paint white paint on my OLD Parlour door that Hubby hung for us a few months ago.  It took close to 5 years for it to take up residency with us.  Sweet Husband switched out the door that was on there with this old one that has a similar pattern on it as the one that leads into the Dining room.  

He installed the Parlour Door and added the hardware.  I primed it and have painted two coats of white on it.  Later the exterior side will be stripped down to the oak so it resembles the Dining room one AND refinished.  Yes.

This week-end, another white coat will find its way on the door.  I'll let it dry then see if it needs a fourth coat.  Gotta get it right.  This is the first PAINT JOB I've done since moving into our palace.

Something broke loose inside of me and I have the courage to paint once again.  This will be the year that I finish clearing old clothing that can go to the Thrift Shops and Ministries.  

This will be the year that I paint the Guest Room, Wall Paper the Family Room and paint it before Christmas.  A good goal for my old self.

After the storm passes, I will willingly go paint the Parlour Door.  While it's drying...I will go make up the Guest Bed with freshly laundered sheets.  Somewhere in here I will sweep the Porch off, water the porch plants and put a load of my Husband's work clothes in the washing machine. 

Before I return GREY GARDENS to the Library....I must watch it again.  There's just something about these dear Ladies' accents that interest me.  Mother Darling.

Husband is tinkering in the Kitchen.  Daughter and Grand are shopping and I'm here.

Love you.

Wish you well.

Have a refreshing day and wonderful week-end.

It stopped raining.
It's off to work I go, 

d 

Dreaming

Thunder is rumbling outside this late hour.

More of a storm will roll into town when I lay my head on the pillow tonight.

 

Very nice day I've had.

Will be dreaming,

d 

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' Kool-Aid Pie

Welcome to Home Haven.

~SWEET LAVENDER BLESSINGS~

Kool-Aid Pie

 The HOT Dog Days Of Summer 

are easier to handle when there's something 
cool to drink and cold to eat.

 Quick and easy is this recipe for Kool-Aid Pie.

Select the flavor and away you go.

Today I'm fixing Cool GRAPE  which turned out to be a soft lavender color.

Kool-Aid, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Whipped Topping and Graham Cracker Pie Shell.

Combine Sweetened Condensed Milk and choice of Kool-Aid.

Whip till blended well.

Add Whipped Topping and Mix well.

Spoon into a Graham Cracker Pie Shell.

Chill in fridge at least one hour before serving.

ingredients

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 tub of Cool Whip

Choice of Kool-Aid

(optional 1 tsp of fruit juice)

instructions

Shake choice of Kool-Aid onto sweetened condensed milk in mixing bowl and mix till blended.
Add tub of Cool Whip and mix.
Spoon mixture into pie crust and swirl the top.
Chill at least 1 hour.

Chilled pie has nice consistency 

and is truly a  

s w e e t 

treat.  

Life just got a little easier with Lavender in mind!
Glad you stopped by....sweet blessings,
d 

This Pie would look ATTRACTIVE 
with real edible Lavender sprinkled on top 
along with the Graham Cracker Sprinkles.

JOINING FOODIE FRIDAY!
 http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2013/07/foodie-friday_19.html

Hair Hair Hair

 Luke 12:7

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.

Hello from Home Haven.

This week has been one of me resting up.

So very tired.

Had company over the week-end.

Was busy.

I will feel so much better after my hair appointment,

but have to wait my turn.

10 days and counting.

The Hair Dresser  

ALWAYS makes my HAIR sing.

I promise myself.....i will not wait soooo long between Hair Appointments before getting my hair thinned and shaped again.

My hair tends to bush out.

Thick.

 Might as well be comfortable, 
but will wear my clothes.

  

Do you know who this is???

After my appointment, we should have Tea.

Think I will let my hair grow out a tad

so I can wear her up in a bun.

 

 Don't you usually feel better when your hair pleases you?

i do.

i do.

Better go wash mine.

So glad i can still do this! 

God bless you and may all your days be 

GOOD HAIR DAYS,

d