Up Close And Personal

~ Home Haven Work Out ~

~ are we having fun yet ~

~ some of the old wall paper we found ~

Refreshing Bolt of HOPE

~ close up of textured vinyl wall covering ~ 

Mercy sakes, it's taking some elbow grease 
to get the old wall paper off the plaster walls,

but we're doing it.

Let the sunshine in your life and smile!

~Deanna~

Downton Abbey

Ahh...to be a Lay daaay!

~Deanna~

Home Happenings

Hi!  Thanx for stopping by on this blistery day on the Kansas Prairie.

Very nice week-end.  Cold outside, but toasty inside as we worked on stripping the family room wall paper.  In various places there have been five different layers of wall paper.  Just guessing, but some of this paper I think comes from the 1930s.

This week looks like lots more cold weather and maybe some snow.

Monday, we hope to have the family room's entire west wall completely stripped.  The north wall might be done.  We decided that the east wall will have a built in book shelf, so we stopped stripping the paper off of this.  The majority of this wall is stripped, so this wall will be completed by the end of the day.  The stairs are along the south wall and we are pretty sure that we will add wood to the wall.   Newer and in better condition wood will be placed over the old, not so good wainscot presently there.

Later in the year the lower part of the walls with wood will be painted a warm white and eventually the window wood and shutters will be painted warm white as well.

After the wallpaper has hung on the walls a month, then I will paint the paper, which isn't really paper but a paintable embossed textured vinyl wall covering.

I have flipped flopped all over the place and still have no definite color picked out.  By the time the room
is finally papered, I will know!

We don't always get PBS on the television.  Depending on which way the wind is blowing, we might get it.  Last week we watched episode 1 of Downton Abbey.  There's just something about the clothing of that time era that makes my head turn.  The interior decorating puts a sparkle in my eye, not to mention the glorious exterior shots.  Tonight was episode 2.  So far the costuming is absolutely beautifully done.

Hope if you're up to your elbows in a project that it's going really well.

Happy day to you,
~Deanna~

Deer

 Last time we took a quick drive about the town where my Parents live

we sat in our car at an intersection at the edge of town

and watched deer across a field.

Unaware of us, we were aware of them. 

Hushed by this scene. 

~Deanna~

******************************************************

As the deer panteth for the water,

So my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my hearts desire,

And I long to worship Thee.

You alone are my strength, my shield;

To you alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire,

And I long to worship Thee.

Home Happenings and OLIVE OIL

Finally got the Crock Pot Pot Roast in the crock pot!  It has taken me all week to make this happen.  Have been under the weather close to 2 weeks.
Head cold finally got me.  BUT feeling better with each passing day.

Placed the frozen roast in the fridge to thaw 2 days ago and just about forgot to get it out to cook until my daughter reminded me or we'd be having this meal who knows when.

This week I have been able to sleep in and take it easy.  I have an awful head cold and haven't been babysitting this week.  Lil miss has been sick with a horrid croupy cough, runny nose, ear infection and slight fever.  Her momma is tending to her this week.  Off to the doctor she went and got an antibiotic.

Am in hopes that the rest of the Christmas decorations get put away and more stripping of the family room wall paper takes place this week-end.  Hubby, daughter and self work on it a little at a time.  Been slow.  Very slow.  I think I finally have the color picked out to paint the paper.  The wallpaper I have is the type you paint.  At one point I had decided that I wouldn't replace the wall paper...just paint and stencil.  Before this is all done that might be what happens.

During the week, hubby and I watched Burt Lancaster in two movies.  Elmer Gantry (1960) and Birdman of Alcatraz (1962).  Bought a $5 DVD video epic double feature.  I remember seeing Birdman of Alcatraz at the drive-in theatre when I was as a child.  Remember the drive-ins?  A good one to google.

Elmer Gantry is about a traveling salesman that stumbles into a revival meeting and discovers that he can hustle money in a tent-show as easily as in a saloon with Sister Sharon Falconer played by Jean Simmons.  Gantry played by Burt Lancaster delivers demon-bashing oratories when an old flame played by Shirley Jones re-appears and Gantry is forced to confront demons of a more worldly order.  I found this old movie to be entertaining.  The character Sister Sharon was based off of the woman evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson who founded the actual Four Square Church.  There is a warning at the beginning of the film that caution should be taken before young children watch this so as to not take offense to religious beliefs.  Sinclair Lewis wrote the novel that the movie is based on after he attended Sunday School meetings on Wednesday at various Kansas City Churches.  Over the years I have had an interest in certain religious movements  and Kansas has a colorful past.







Birdman of Alcatraz is based off a real person Robert Stroud who was a convicted murderer.  How does bitter convict Robert Stroud cope with a lifetime of solitary confinement?  The answer, in a sense, comes from above in the form of a feeble sparrow he finds in the isolation yard.  After reading about Robert, I came to an understanding that this movie is more fiction than truth.  The real Robert Stroud was a victious psychopath, but in the movie he is viewed as a kind grandfatherly type.



May you have a great week-end!
Gotta run.  I need to add the potatoes, carrots, corn, green beans and stewed tomatoes to my pot roast in the crock pot.
~Deanna~

Psssst
Secret ingredient to add to crock pot meat is: olive oil.  
I let the meat brown in olive oil and chopped onion for about an hour before adding water and the veggies.

Music To Our Ears

What a pleasant sight.  

Woman playing piano with child in lap.

It won't matter to the child if there are a few strained notes while being held on the lap.

It's music to the ears.  Strained or not.

Drum left on floor indicates that this child is allowed to make musical noise 

and encouraged to do so.

Cold weather brings with it some indoor challenges as well.

What can we do with our time?  

I have plenty to do in doors during cold, warm, or hot weather.  

It's a matter of when do I do these things that need done.

Sometimes it seems like there is just too much to do.

We are fortunate to have sitting in our Parlour a very old piano 

that was given to my husband years ago.

As a very young boy my husband played on this when visiting his Grandmother.

This piano would make its way to my husband's parents.  

Eventually it would end up in our estate after we married.

When we were dating, he'd play the theme from Love Story and some waltz.

That's it.  These two songs.  Better than no songs.

As a child I'd visit my Grandma that lived in Marion.

She'd let us play the piano that sat in her living room, 

a full size pump organ that sat in her bedroom, 

and a small electric piano/organ that could be carried from room to room where ever.

The small electric piano/organ sounded more like an organ than a piano.

The music booklet that came with this was play by numbers.

You didn't have to know notes, just numbers.

I don't know how many times I played Onward Christian Soldier on it, 

but was delighted to play and sing the words as often as I liked.

One of my favorites.

Making some noise is what children do.

How many homes do you suppose have been blessed 

 by children making noise instead of being quiet all the time?

Balance.

This noise can be music to our ears.

~Deanna~

Granny Nanny and Pink Pajamas

~pink jammies~

Lil Miss in her pajamas sits in an old rocking chair that belongs to her momma.

Pink is such a nice color.

Don't you think we all should have pink jammies 

and wear a tiara at the same time? 

Not to mention a tutu.

Blessings to you,

Granny Nanny

Home Happenings and The First Snow Of The Year

~ An Earlier Snow ~

Here I sit wearing my pink housecoat and sipping coffee while thinking about not being able to travel to Kansas City this morning to attend Lana's funeral.  It did snow throughout the night.  We woke to the roads being snow packed and closed.  Our first snow of the year!  Warm thoughts to all.

My husband had taken the day off so we could attend our friend's funeral.  We can't get there.  So I had to e-mail instead.  Nice feature about our culture.  Still it's a weak substitution when you long to actually be present.

I have been reminiscing about my friendship with Lana which lead to thinking about when my husband and I were children.  Chances are we passed by one another as kids and attended the same events.  Here we are married and sharing.  I honestly can say, my husband is my best earthly friend.  Two peas in a pod.  

Let's have some more coffee or hot tea if you like.  

God bless you and may you be surrounded by good friends, loving family and a happy home.

~Deanna~

Cup of Tea or Coffee?  Please visit these sites for some refreshments!

www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com   Tea Time Tuesday

Around Home Haven

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October

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December










Beloved,
The only thing that would make Home Haven a better place is if you'd stop by and share with me what you have been up to!


Refreshments served when you're ready.


Best wishes always,
~Deanna~

My Friend Lana

Even though the skies are powder blue with fluffy clouds, today the Kansas winds are howling.  Snow is in the forecast for Sunday through next week.  I've been wanting some snow, but now I hope it is light when it arrives.

Yesterday, I wrote a Bucket List.  Not to be funny, but to think about writing down things I would like to do before I die.  Lord willing I will be able to do some of these things.

I didn't have a clue that in a few hours after typing this list that my husband would be telling me that he has developed early onset adult diabetes type 2.  I was standing on the porch as he told me and I could feel the stunned expression on my face.  Feel it.  My facial muscles froze in a horrified state.  A A1C blood test confirmed it after having his yearly physical.

For now, he will work at losing weight, diet, exercise and visit with a dietician for his treatment.  No insulin shots for the time being.  Stunned.  After this soaks in, I'll let you know how we are doing with eating better meals and healthier snacks.

Today, I found out that a dear friend of mine lost her battle with Cancer on Tuesday.  I had no idea as I wrote my bucket list out that she had already passed into eternity to live in heaven.  Lana and I became friends when we were both young mommas living in Liberal, Kansas.  We both were married with 3 children at the time, attended the same church, were good 'ole methodist gals that were members of the local united methodist women and attended the same sewing group.  We attended Coffees together, sewed together, chatted together.

~Lana with Husband~

~Lana with her Grandchildren~

Man 'o man, this woman could quilt.  I never saw anybody sew their little boys clothing so fast in all my life.  She was a DOMESTIC DIVA.  The houses she lived in were always decorated so nicely.  A warm place to raise a family.  She was very modest and did not brag about her skills or talents.  I can hear her laughter now.

We grew up about a block away from one another, but didn't know one another.  She was two years older than I, so I didn't know her while attending the same Grade School, Junior High, High School and Church.  When she was in College, my husband (not my husband at the time) would visit with her.  Her boyfriend didn't like this so he would approach my husband and let him know that Lana was his and she was taken!  Hubby told him they were just friends.  Odd...I didn't know her then.  Isn't it something...it is like God saved her as a treasure for me in a friend after we were married and had children of our own before we got to know one another!   In fact her mom babysat the same two girls my mom babysat for.  All of this going on while we lived about a block away from one another.

I was stunned to find out that she lost her battle with cancer.  Last I knew she was trying a new experimental medicine and her doctor was pleased with how things were going.

We had lost touch with one another over the years, but befriended one another almost two years ago.  She had shared that their house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.  A box of pictures and a couple of antiques were all that remained.  When I found this out, I thought of all the cross stitch projects she had displayed in her home that were destroyed by fire.  The quilts gone. The heirlooms gone.

The legacy she left behind of being a born again Christian is what her children know.  This part of life is what death cannot destroy.

I am stunned and saddened today by her death.  I know that once again we will visit in heaven as Jesus is also my personal savior.

God gives each one of us natural talents and abilities to use in life.  God is good.  What a waste to not know what your talents are!  You can find out by visiting with God and asking Him what they are if ya don't know.   What a horrible time in life if you are beat down by past hurts and self hatred.  God can and will deliver you if this is something you struggle with.  You may not FEEL like you are succeeding at life and maybe you aren't.  BUT GOD CAN HELP EACH AND EVERYONE ONE OF US.  I know my family members have heard me at times be so irritated and upset with past actions of others that hurt me to the bone.  Excuse me...if nothing else know that I am Human in need of healing myself.  A work in progress.

I am not a robot on automatic pilot.  I am human.  If others expect me to behave like a perfect human...it's not gonna happen.  I am being perfected...in Christ as I live a life on earth.  And as long as I have breath...I will need God's help with everything.  Even as a grown lady with Grandchildren!

Miss you Lana, but know your life sure has touched a lot of people.  We are better people because God allowed us to know you.
~Deanna~

She leaves behind a husband she was married to for 36 years, 3 grown married sons, daughter-in-laws she loved like daughters, and 5 Grandchildren.

Bucket List

2010 didn't go exactly like I had planned...hum.
The only new year's resolution that I even attempted to do was to learn to speak French.  Off and on while traveling in the car I listened to French CDs.  I'm still doing this...so I hope to continue to learn as I go.

I wanted to Belly Dance and play the piano as well.  Not sure I will ever belly dance, but the piano might be a go.  One out of three 'aint bad'!

On the serious side, I got to see first hand how good intentions sometimes get sidetracked by life's surprises that weren't expected.  Like cancer rearing it's ugly head.

I'm thankful to be alive.  Like given a second chance to do some things different.

Have I?  Working on this.

This year I hope to take some weight off.  So I decided NO ROOT BEER till my July Birthday.
More salads and less breads.
More motion and less complaining.

The FUN new year's resolutions will be.......spend more money...  grins..........on thrifty buys!!!  My husband will be glad to read that one.

Also I want to get the Family Room completed.  No fears here.  Just do it.

With the year I had, I thought I really should make a BUCKET LIST.  Over Christmas Holiday I watched the movie.  I've seen it before, but wanted to watch it again.  So we did.  I actually liked this movie.

My Bucket List is subject to change.  Besides, I don't think there are any deadlines.  So with that said here's my Bucket List!  Not in any order.

Please feel free to laugh out loud or ignore.  Do you have a Bucket List?  I do now!

~BUCKET LIST~

1.   Learn to make homemade Jelly.

2.   Can some vegetables all by myself.

3.   Sew a Quilt.

4.   Write a Book.

5.   Publish the Book.

6.   Make some pickles.

7.   Sew a Period Clothing outfit.

8.   Make a super sized Teddy Bear.

9.   Earn my Bachelors Degree.

10. Go to a Broadway Play with my husband.

11. Go back to the Smithsonian.

12. Go to Europe again.

13. Be debt free.

14. Speak French.

15. Be involved in my community.

16. Buy a huge house and fill it with antiques.

17. Own some ground.

18. Paint a huge Oil Painting.

19. 

20. 

Before any of us Kick the Bucket,

May your 2011 go very well.

~Deanna~