LET THERE BE LIGHT

 

WE STARTED OUT OUR SATURDAY MORNING BY RETURNING TO MILL CREEK ANTIQUES  purchasing this chandelier for the COTTAGE DINING ROOM that we saw the day before.  I've been shopping around for one and this was what I came up with for a very good price.  Not an antique, but it will look very pretty in the COTTAGE. Maybe 20 years old.  I had considered a newer one, but they are expensive.  

The owner of the store believed this to have a French influence, but not sure how old it is.  I didn't care as I thought the design to be beautiful and will add charm to our adventure in the COTTAGE.  Right now the COTTAGE has a ceiling fan and I had decided long ago that I wanted a chandelier hanging in the Dining room instead of the ceiling fan.

It's about 30" diameter which fits the size of the room nicely proportioned.

When we redo the room, it will have crown molding, light colored walls with wainscot to dress it up.  Maybe shutters in the window like what I have in our house now.  After pricing chandies, I knew this was a fair price for a lovely chandelier.  

We have been on the go getting things ready for this CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.  I think either than having the house spick and span, we are about ready for company to come HOME.  Wednesday and Thursday will be touch up cleaning and dealing with the last minute details.  I think we'll have a full house and my desire is to have a blessed time altogether.  

Company starts coming in Friday.  More on Saturday and Sunday.  We'll celebrate Hubby's 68th Birthday Saturday evening with chili nachos and salad.  Ice cream and cake for his birthday.  I'd like to have the Christmas Story read from the Bible Saturday night.  Our BIG CHRISTMAS MEAL will be at 1 on Sunday.  Left-overs for supper.  Who knows for Monday.  Not sure how long all the company will stay after CHRISTMAS and that's okay.  We'll wing it and go from there.    

Let there be light and suddenly there was.  

Suddenly,

~d

NEW CHANDELIER and THRIFTING FOR FUN

THE FAUX CANDLES SITTING ON THE FIREPLACE MANTEL ARE LIT helping to warm the room up.  Peaceful flitters of light coming from the fireplace this time of day warms my heart.  Makes the room cozier.

I'm slowly wrapping up my grown children's childhood Christmas ornaments and putting them away.  Slower than molasses.  I enjoyed seeing these on our tree this holiday.  It's been a few years since I decorated a tree with these.  Very sentimental to me and a warm blessing to recall all the CHRISTMAS PAST we have been blessed to have in our HOMES along the way.  Good memories that I cherish.

STILL IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT...as I was deleting the 'not so good' pics off the camera chip, I reminisced our outings during the Holiday Season.  What a lovely HOLIDAY I had.  January's colder than cold temps has not kept me frozen for long when warm memories come to life. January is here for sure, but I remind myself that Spring is coming.  One day closer to Spring.  It is during these cold months that I warm my spirit with thoughts of a beautiful Spring coming. Irises will bloom in their new location at the COTTAGE around April. 

Yesterday, I went to St. Marys with a $15 PINE DOLLARS coupon to purchase something at the new shoppe 37 PINE.  Walking out of the store with 5 faux cedar sprigs that cost me nothing because of the coupon.  These Christmas sprigs were marked down 75% off.  Originally the sprigs were $10.99 each marked down 75% off making them very affordable then the coupon was used. This is the kind of sale I covet.  A big score for someone on a TIGHT BUDGET.  I look forward to decorating for CHRISTMAS next year using FAUX greenery indoors.  Will start in November and leave through January. 

The week before, I was treated to long faux cedar branches 50% off that I will display in various places in our COTTAGE for the holidays.  

Had a pleasant day out and about as it was 60 degrees with blue skies.  My kind of day.  In the morning we hung the new Chandelier in the Dining room.  Also a larger different medallion.   LOVE IT!!!  SO pretty.  OUR new addition.  

Much nicer than what was there.  That Chandy will be cleaned and hung elsewhere in this old house.  I think maybe in the Media room that is presently being used for storage.  Another PROJECT underway.  Each day, I take a few items out of there to clean the room out.  Slow process.  Making headway though.

CHANDELIER UPGRADE:

Modern Chandy with Old World Charm to it.

Tuesday, I did a lot of driving, but enjoyed my outing immensely.  A Rachel Salad for Lunch at Sugar Creek Deli, 37 PINE for Christmas Sprigs, back HOME because Hubby forgot to take his morning meds, over to daughter's house to pick up HOME-MADE loaves of bread she had made for us, Dollar General, off to TOPEKA to God's Storehouse to thrift.  Successfully DONATED to charity bags of Hubby's clothing that he no longer wanted along with two pairs of shoes, a little of this and that.  Then shopped at Natural Grocers for some veggies, Sams for coffee pods and coffee cups, Panero Bread for Bread Bowl of Cheese and Broccoli Soup, and finally Menards for special light bulbs for our new chandy.  By the time I drove HOME in the dark, I was tired, but it was a nice kind of tired to be. 

A thrifty find GERITY GEORGIAN PRODUCTS.  
Just the right size for serving smaller salads at HOME.  
Petite Georgian Serving and Salad Set.

Hubs unloaded our spoils.  He's wonderful to have around.  We took the evening off. No movie or tele.  Just a quiet place to relax.  Lights out.

TODAY, we started the morning with Eggs with AVOCADO on toasted Ezekiel English Muffin. Very filling and I'd do this again.  Organic Free-Range soy-free eggs, organic avocado on Ezekiel muffin.  Welp what can I say, we tried it and I believe it was a nutritionally dense meal.

I wish I had gotten more done today and that bothers me at times.  Oh well.  Perhaps I had better accept that I am who I am and this is as good as it gets.  I managed to get two care packages filled for LOVED ONES and mailed.  Taping up and addressing boxes cannot be considered aerobics...right?  It takes more out of me than I want to admit when wrapping boxes.  sigh.  But I did it!  

Paired Husband's socks and folded undershirts then put away.  
Went to Media room to tink about some...what a huge mess. 
Worked on ornaments.  
Watched a few videos on how to prepare foods.  Surely I can learn some new tricks.  After coming home from shopping, wash the greens right away such as Kale.  Slice it and place in large bowl to pour lemon juice on it then add olive oil to it placing the Kale in a baggy to refrigerate having it ready for when you are ready to eat it.  Whaalaah...a new trick to use.    
Went through the mail.  
Took price tags off my faux greenery.
Deleted pics off camera chip. 
Put clean dishes away. 
Shuffled some stuff. 
Went through piles of old papers.  This is overwhelming as the pile has grown.  
I have yet to try the new shampoo and conditioner.  Gotta get this done right now.  
Waiting to hear how my Mom is doing.  She had a doctor's appointment yesterday and was asked to return today.  She has a lot going on health wise.  

Spaghetti for supper.  It's been awhile since I ate Spaghetti.  Can't wait.  It's one of my favorite meals.

Until next time,
I hope all is well in your corner of the world
where ever that is,

~d

  

  

  

COLD FEET WARM HEART

LOOKING OUT THE WINDOWS I COULD SEE LIGHT ICY BLUE SKIES WITH SILVER LINED CLOUDS.  Though it didn't look cold outside, it was.  

9 DEGREES outside on the PRAIRIE this morning.  Terribly cold as my feet are 'chillin out' while sitting in my recliner.  I suppose I ought to put some thick socks on and bare with it.  No socks is my motto.  Sometimes I had best forget this motto and wear socks.  Seems simple enough doesn't it?

The small heating tower near my chair, isn't quite doing the job.  At the level my feet are raised off the floor, the air reaching them is frigid.  Like a cloud of frozen air surrounding my feet.  So put socks on...okay.  Just did.  COLD FEET WARM HEART.

Within a few minutes my frigid feet will be comfortable once again.  I get the feeling that our WINTER is going to be extremely cold this year.  

I'm not much of a cold weather person.  It mustn't slow me down so much. 

Hubby suggested that we go to the store 37 PINE over at St. Marys to get a chandelier for our Dining room that we had seen.  I believe the chandelier is a huge improvement over what we presently have.  I said, "OKAY!"  I have been eye balling this chandy since they opened their store last SUMMER.  We discussed how to go about it.

Off we went to St. Marys and had a bite to eat at SUGAR CREEK.  I got a #11 which is a veggie sandwich with two cheeses, lettuce, spinach, tomato and onion on Wheat berry bread that was grilled.  I wanted to try the wheat berry bread.  Liked it.  Didn't miss the meat. 

From here we went to 37 PINE, looked at the hanging chandy and decided that we wanted it. The sales clerk helped us and we left with a very nice chandelier for our Dining room.  With the color I will be painting the room, this chandy will look like it belongs.

  

Can't wait.  We brought her HOME and have plans of getting it hung this week.  What a boost this will be to encourage getting the room painted faster.  We didn't stay HOME, but went to dry two loads of bluejeans, go to two different locations to do business, went to pick up jeans and came HOME for the day.

TIME for a HOT MEAL.  

Relax the rest of the evening,

d  

   

Chandy Needs Cleaned

My adventures to find the coveted 
HAGERTY Chandelier Cleaner got ugly.

I visited quite a few stores looking for chandy cleaner 

and found NOTHING.

Telephoned some more shoppes.  NOTHING.

Even the lovely Lighting shop in Manhattan that sells chandeliers 

had NOTHING.

Then a very nice man at ACE HARDWARE said 

he could order me some.

It took two working days and I now have some cleaner.

I will make way to be the MAID soon and clean my chandies 

in my beloved HOME.

I was beginning to shake in my boots that I was not going to be able to buy anymore.

HAGERTY CHANDELIER CLEANER
will make your crystal shine.

Sparkling thoughts and 

Pleasant dreams,

d

ALL IN A DAYS WORK......

Home Happenings and Dreaming

After a busy week-end, I like my Mondays to be on a slower pace, so I can get through the week.  It hasn't been easy for me to admit that I have to slow way down because of challenges that come from being ill.  Pride perhaps has a terrible hold on me that I am so human and do get tired and ill.  Working at improving my health.  Eating more yogurt, cottage cheese, salads and drinking less coffee.  DE-stressing when I can.  

My health is fragile.  The Bible tells us that our bodies do grow older, but our Spirits can soar. 

Be encouraged by Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.

Lamentations 3:24 
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Need some SOS!  The easier the chores the better.  I aim to please......gotta get some chores completed.  My older brother may come to visit this week-end.  Would like to have a tidy place to welcome him into.  The Guest Room is ready, but the bathroom needs cleaned, the family room vacuumed and dusted.  The porch swept and washed.  ETC.

Will be showing him the sights around our lil community which can be done in a day.  Grins.  The beauty of living in a small town. 

Summer temps are climbing, but comfortable in our ROCK HOUSE!

A nice benefit.

Summing up some activity around here.  

 I created a NEW RECIPE for MEATLOAF 

and liked the way it turned out.

It was gobbled up with compliments.

HOME HAVEN MEATLOAF made easy.

I will share my FLINT HILLS recipe on a different post.  Think you'll like it.

The Parlour door was primed.  I finally got the door primed.  So glad I got this done.  Gave me a lift.  Soon the door will get a coat of white paint on her.  Then I can move onto priming the Guest room.  That will be a wonderful accomplishment for me.   

The 4th has come and gone.  
I hope yours was good. 

Home Life twas a quiet one around here, but I needed it that way.

My ticker has been skipping beats again and it's a horrible feeling.

2 Doctor's appointments later and I am feeling a tad bit better.

~PICNIC TIME~

 
Placed the goods in our THRIFY BUY Picnic Basket and placed a RED Tablecloth on the floor.   The weather was nice, but went a head and had a 4th of July PICNIC inside on the floor.  The girls had been gone when I decided to quickly throw a indoors PICNIC.  Hubby put on some music.  When the girls arrived, it was playing loudly which set a MOOD.  Lil Miss LOVED IT!

All Beef Hot Dogs in Buns, Chips, Berries, Baked Beans, Watermelon, Brownies, and bottled Water.

                     

DID YOU HAVE A PICNIC THIS 4th?

~A GREAT BOOK~

 Have been reading up on heart palpitations 

and thyroid galore.

In Judy Lindberg McFarland's wonderful book,  

AGING ----WITHOUT--- 

GROWING  

OLD

Judy says that being low on Potassium can cause heart palps.  

Low Sodium V8 is loaded with potassium.

SOOOO....I am to drink DAILY a large can of V8 Juice.  Willing to give it a whirl.  Shopped at SAM'S and bought some.

We dined at a new restaurant by accident and was pleasantly surprised.  I was good and ate a Salad.  In fact I can pat myself on the back.  When I have ate out, I'm making a conscious choice to drink water and eat a large Salad.

Lil Miss and I journeyed to Manhattan to have LUNCH with Daughter and Hubs known as POPPY to Lil Miss.

This is one of my favorite nic~names for him.

~POPPY~

 Sweetheart....keep smiling, but show your teeth.  

They are so purdee.

 
CHANDELIER NEWS:  
I spied a terrific CHANDY at my favorite THRIFT SHOP.  Had to have it to add to our Victorian house.  Early Birthday Present.  Poppy took no time at all to tweak her and install.  Ceiling fan came down and Chandy went UP!!!

My only regret is that I didn't spy her sooner with her matching smaller twin sisters that some LUCKY DUCK purchased before hand.  These would have added charm to my Parlour.  Oh well.  This other person's HOME must have needed the blessing.  

This started the wheels turning on how to finish out the Family room.  The color has finally been decided upon.  Deep breath.  Our ceiling will be repaired later in life, beautiful TIN Ceiling installed, some of the walls will be papered with embossed paper that's on hand then painted to suit us, crown molding will go up and window treatments created. 

 Dreaming royally Victorian.  Do you ever DREAM?  

Sometimes LIFE happenings in our lives cause the dreaming to go dormant.  Too much stimuli.  On overload and cannot believe that dreams can come true.  Too much happening that we didn't ask for can cause the dreams to fizzle.  Sometimes.

I know the practical part of me wants to be practical.  Want to be balanced.  I never thought before that I wanted a Formal Victorian Interior....but something has popped inside of me and I want to use the talents the Lord has given me.  If that means DOLLING UP my home...then I'm gonna.  Being CREATIVE doesn't always take tons of money.  Being creative means being productive and applying oneself to doing something. 

Spent much time this Holiday looking at Victorian Mansion Interiors and fell head over heels in love with their beauty.  Doing my HOMEWORK and loving it.

Poppy worked on the Kitchen!  Making headway.  We took time to look at Appliances....i think one could spend as much on appliances as one would spend on a auto.  Can't do this go round.  Will be economizing and praising God for the appliances we will be using.  I am THANKFUL for Kitchen appliances.  I have grown to APPRECIATE Kitchens since ours has been in limbo for so long.

Anytime remodeling is going on, the entire house feels it.  It is a good exercise in stretching one's patience and busying yourself with other things that need attention.  Important thing is to not ignore the people in your home.  Take time to get away from the mess and not get jealous of others living arrangements in which you covet others homes.  Learn from this time and find out what God wants you to learn from these experiences.   

That's pretty much what is happening 
around HOME Haven on the Prairie.

Now for some quiet time with a cup of coffee 
and a children's movie on the tele.

Little Rascal time.

d