Decorating On The Prairie: Dummy 101

Dumb-Waiter Table

~SECRET KEEPER~

I was the DUMB one that didn't know that these two level tables are called DUMB-WAITER TABLES.  One of the things my Husband was given by his Parents was this table.

This past year, she's been sitting in the bump out holding a lamp which was removed for the Christmas tree in our tiny Conservatory.  After the tree came out the temperatures were freezing.  I didn't think it prudent to place the table back in there.  The unforgiving temperatures would for sure play heck on the integrity of this Dumb-Waiter Table that has some age on her.

She sits in our Parlour beside the camelback sofa.  Liking her while thinking she's a nice addition.

ADDING some WINTER FROST in a cut glass vase makes a seasonal statement for me because I've been Decorating on the Prairie getting educated on what DUMB-WAITER TABLES are used for.

Got any ideas?

Tea Service on upper level with room for tea cups on the lower level.  Desserts for all.  Desserts on lower with pretty china and silverware on upper level.  A lamp or vase on top.  Nic-nacs.  Miniature sandwiches for guests.  Wine, cheese and crackers.  When placed beside the Buffet, they allowed additional items for guest to help themselves.  When beside a Dining room table, the Hostess could serve from it.

What ever you decide there will be no need for another to serve you.  

We can do it ourselves.

NO Servants to overhear your SECRETS to sell for money as you gossip or chat away.
These mahogany "waiters" were both deaf and dumb, and were therefore unable to hear or tell secrets. Thus, they became popular in upper class homes, especially for sweetmeat banquets, almost overnight.

BLESSINGS to you in Blogland.

Glad you stopped by,

d  

Model This

BELIEVE IT OR NOT....Once again I got to be a model.  Some people actually like a b r e a t h i n g, HEAVY SET, middle aged, white women with a head of hair.  Actually I was a guinea pig for a Hair Cutting Class at a Hair Salon.  I got a free hair wash, consultation and then the trained stylish snipped away to give me a lobe cut and try new hair products on my hair to blow dry it slicker than snot.

When this session was completed my hair felt like silk as I ran my fingers through it.....seemed like it was someone else's hair.  My hair is naturally curly, but with no thyroid it's getting courser and a handful to handle.

I liked the finished results and will try this technique on my own at leisure in my old stone house where nobody will be watching as I LABOR at birthing a different hairstyle.  If it doesn't turn out...OH WELL.  I tried.  To try means i tried.  Dog gone it.

Not sure I can get it as slick as the stylish did...but will try.

So there you have it FOLKS....a week ago Saturday I went completely Shirley Temple CURLY to completely F L A T on Wednesday.

I do not have magic fingers for flair doing stunning hair.  I just don't.  When I stand before MY GOD and He ask me what I did with the talent He gave me....i will probably tell Him, Father God....i did try really hard to make a difference in that old world, but failed miserably to be glamorous and look like a Princess.  I did try really really hard.  I confess....i was very challenged and failed miserably.

I hope He says to me, Well done good and faithful servant.  You gave it a good try.  You stayed in motion and I like motion.  I did not expect you to be a perfectionist at perfection...just humble and appreciative knowing that you cannot SAVE yourself and NEED JESUS to be my CHILD.  I AM your God.

Blessings to you in blogland.
Humbly yours,
d

Half Way Mark

I have the day off as I do laundry while the outside temps are SPRING like with birds chirping outside my window, write out medical bills that cause me to THANK GOD I'm still alive wishing I didn't have medical bills to pay, take pictures of the Parlour 'cause the lighting is just so-so and find a minute or two to put my thoughts down for all to read.

Sitting here in my house coat writing out what I hope to get down for the day.  Coffee was delicious this morning as I woke up thinking about LIFE.

Across the street was more loud activity as City Workers dug a huge hole in the street to uncover the evils that lie below.  Not sure why they were digging,
but it got my attention as I looked out the window on a nice January day.

Be right back.  I can put the wet clothes in the dryer and put another load in the washer.  Aren't we BLESSED to have these appliances. 
ROBOTS.  My Servants.

Speaking of laundry....how do you all wash your sweaters?  Inside out?  Normal wear and tear?  Hand wash, air out or use gentle cycle on the wash machine?  What about drying...air, gentle cycle in dryer, lay flat or hang just so so on a hanger???

My red sparkly dress sweater made her way to get laundered today and when I pulled her out of the machine she was inside out.  Folding her just so-so and placing her on a plastic hanger, she will air dry until I can flip her the other way and turn her inside out.

Always wash my sweaters in cold water.

Yesterday as I walked past our backyard fence, I was brought back to reality that the fence will have to be replaced a section at a time as the funds are tight for such an activity.  The wood that was used has not aged well.  It curls and warps so badly.  Two of the sections have been replaced.  I decided I would buy throughout the WINTER some cedar boards and stack them in the back yard waiting for a window of time Hubby can rebuild this horrible fence.

Perhaps by Autumn, the fence will be looking great.  So much to do.

Better run...the guest bed is wanting to be made and I need to wrap a package to mail on Friday.  Think next week I will go ahead and purchase Valentines and candy for loved ones.  I'd like to hang some over-sized valentines on the doors.

I am officially 60 and a half years old today.  Half way mark made.  That sure has gone fast.  Zoom right into history.

Blessings to you in blogland!
d

No Snow

No snow for us in this corner of our small town world.  SNOW will eventually arrive...just don't know when.  The temps are freezing outside as I stay indoors tweaking about what brings me joy.  When there's no deadlines or pressure to get things done, I free up and get things accomplished.

Must be that I know I'm my own Boss and can go at a pleasing pace.

Yesterday, I placed fresh sheets on the Guest room bed and fluffed up the pillows so the bed looks inviting.  An hour before going to pick Lil Miss up from school, I started rearranging the Guest room.  It was a tight fit as I crawled back and forth over the bed.  I thought, Oh if only my children could see their 60 year old Mother doing acrobats to make a bed and rearrange the room it would cause gawking of disbelief.  I think my Husband would be surprised that I am still very flexible after hearing me complain I am sore.  SORE.  STIFF.  Amazed.  Oh... I hurt.  A good HOT soaking bath will help ease the complaints.

It surprised me as I turned red in the face due to activity that I really wanted to complete this task before the sun went down.  Who needs a gym when you can balance on your head to clean a room.

My Grand daughter liked the Teddy Bears on the dresser.  I like my 'ole Teddy Bears.  They were what I bought when we lived in Jenks, Oklahoma.  I'd walk to the Grocery Store that had a high dollar Gift Shop and purchase a Teddy or two when I wanted to cheer myself up because LIFE was hard.

When I get the other Bedroom tidied, the dolls will go in there until this room becomes a old fashioned Bathroom.  Constant morphing what the rooms will become or be.  If I could just get fired up and get it all together then I would enjoy admiring the room as is.

Truthfully, if this is the most difficult adventure I take on then I am a very BLESSED WOMAN.

The Christmas Tree is now in a vinyl storage box.  I undressed her on Friday and Hubby took her apart on Saturday.  The snowflakes and ornaments are safely stashed in storage boxes.  I rolled the snowflake garland around cardboard so they won't tangle as badly.  The lights stay on the flocked tree.

I am a new fan of shatter proof ornaments that look like glass, but can bump about as plastic pretties shining like glass.  Some things were just meant to be hardy plastic.

The many pieces of the Nativity Scene were placed in the storage boxes.  I sigh as I make these things disappear from the Parlour.  SIGH.  I will get over it.  Sooner than later.  I am feeling the HAPPY come over my face as I realize the CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS are put away for now and we can move onto VALENTINES. 

When there's a dry, warmer snap in the weather the Christmas lights will be taken down from the outside of our HOME.  The storage boxes will be hauled to the Garage for safe keeping.

Already, I can see my Dining room Tree for next Christmas.  We HOPE to start earlier in the year.  HOPE we can do this.  HOPE and plan.

I have left out a standing Snowman wishing I had more of them sitting about for the month of January.  If I cannot have the real thing then Snowmen will help me remember it's WINTER.

Husband returns to his second full week of work after having some Holiday time off.  We are on the mend from a very rough December full of health issues that didn't want to leave us.  Feeling much better.  Pray it stays this way.

BLESSINGS to you in blogland,
d

Beauty

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I am beholding these BEAUTIFUL flowers on a cold wintry day.

This morning I went to have my hair gently shampooed, 

curled on rollers, dried under a hair dryer

and combed out by a Beautician.  

I haven't done this for so many years that I forget how long it has been……so very long.

I was hoping to get BOUNCE back in my hair.  

It worked and I liked the results.  I was so pleased to have extra curly hair with BOUNCE once again.

I call the straighter version that I wake up to in the mornings, THYROID HAIR.

My hair has gotten courser the last 5 years that the texture is difficult to described.  
Just one of those things with not having a thyroid that I have had to discover on my own.

The little pill I take every morning does not have all the hormones a healthy thyroid produces.  Still I'm alive just VERY VERY challenged.  Oh, Momma…the things I could tell you that no one told me about before having a thyroid removed.

Walking back to the car it was 20 degrees outside with a wild wind carrying small, white spit balls of snow.  

Glad to be inside this fine day. 

Pass the coffee please and let's take down the Christmas tree,

d

The BIG Red Ouch

OUCH...As I left the Beauty Parlor also known as a Beauty Salon, my face was RED as red could be.  I slipped my RED car coat on and held my RED clutch wallet saying good-bye to the girls at the shop.  I had a great conversation with Dee my beautician that WAXED my eyebrows and wooly facial hair.  Gone now.  

It's not vanity to want a face like a woman's when I am a woman.  Unwanted facial hair isn't my friend.  I wasn't expecting Dee to WAX so much of my cheeks, but she surprised me and when it was all said and done…I looked like I had stayed way too long under a sun lamp.

I told her that I must like the color red because my face was as red as the coat I was wearing.  The big red ouch.  OUCH.

After my appointment, Husband and I sat in the car to eat Hamburgers with fries and water to drink.  I know that I am usually red faced after being WAXED so it's a pleasure to eat in the car away from people.  Before we headed out of town, I wanted to stop by Hobby Lobby to see if they had any CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE left.  I saw vibrant red ornaments the week before and wondered if they had any left.

When I went inside, the RED ORNAMENTS were relocated to a different aisle hiding from me before being completely bought out.  Only a small amount of Christmas decor were left.  90% off was exciting to me.  We loaded our shopping buggies with RED RED RED for a RED Christmas Tree that will find her way to the corner of our humble Dining room in 2016.  Gosh that's just a little over 11 months away.  grins.  At 90% off I can afford some glamour in the Dining room with wooden Nut Crackers, toy soldiers, red ornaments of various sizes, ribbon, twinkle lights and maybe some gold sprinkled into the branches of the tree.

In my mind's eye, I can see a vibrant Christmas Tree in the corner causing me to enjoy the time of year just a little bit more than usual.  Each time I walk through the house, the RED will cheer me on reminding me that Christmas is really special. 


VIBRANT.  Some of the ornaments can decorate the greenery that will be hung on the stairway handrail.  It will be so pretty.  Cheery.  

Tonight I began to pack up the newly purchased ornaments into vinyl Christmas tubs.  I like to use colored tubs for Holiday items.  RED with green lid indicates CHRISTMAS.  One of my hopefuls is to have my Holiday items neatly stored on racks for easy access.  May it come to pass.

Sometimes being RED, 
wearing RED 
and seeing RED 
is necessary. 

Blessings to you,
d

EPIPHANY

MATTHEW 2:11

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

King James Version (KJV)

AS the three WISE MEN approached the BABY JESUS, 
they came baring gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh for HE IS ROYALTY.  The KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS.
Our Messiah had arrived.

EPIPHANY 2016::  I know that you probably have heard the saying, "Wise men still seek HIM."
Let me add something to that....women desiring to be wise seek HIM as well.

I worship you LORD JESUS.

Did a little HOMEWORK in my old age.
Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar were their names and all names have meaning.

Melchior with Roman origin means "king city"
Semitic roots.

Caspar has Latin variant of Jasper which means "treasurer" in Persian, "Royal" in German, and Dutch origin means "treasurer bearer."

Balthasar has a Greek origin meaning "G-d protect the king."


My CHRISTMAS tree is still standing and lit as I will admire her today throughout my time in my HOME.  Then I will be in the mood to take her down and sigh.  I love my CHRISTMAS tree.  Prettiest one we have had.  Perhaps I say this every year.

I drove into town last night around 8:18PM to a Town that had no CHRISTMAS decorations up.  GONE for another year.  I paused as I collected my mail at the post office.  I wasn't ready for the BLAND.  After the season changes birthing SPRING, the town will once again brighten up as flowers begin to bloom.  We are one day closer to SPRING.

I'm back from 6 weeks of illness.  Still clearing my throat with lingering cough and limping.  It's the pits, but I'm back to blogging.
I learned that in theory the FLUOROQUINOLONES can rupture muscles due to impeding collagen formation or interrupting blood supply in joints.  My right calf is injured and I limp due to the pain.  Not good.  Am hoping that it will heal up in 6 additional weeks.  I took an antibiotic that was a Fluoroquinolone which is known to rupture muscles of 60 year olds and older.  I suggest not taking this unless it's life threatening. 

One thing about getting older is that I may be more aggressive in voicing my opinion with the doctors after I have been through the ringer....in a nice way...of course.  I will read the warnings first before diving into using meds that I haven't used.  I still am too trusting when it comes to the medical field, meds, etc.  Gotta put my thinking cap on.

Help me remember that. 

Blessings to you,
d

The HAPPIEST To You!

The new year is about to start.  

Pray it is a blessed year.  

All the best to you!

d

Chicken Noodle Soup Time

This has been a rougher than usual HEALTH ISSUE December with hacking cough.  Just the day before December 1st, came out of nowhere a cough that hasn't ran its course.  It let up for Christmas and returned over the week-end.

I am beside myself.  So I'm taking it easy.  Did some reading on how to combat colds and this is what I found out.


1) HUMIDIFIER::  Keep the air moist.  Run a humidifier 24/7 to keep air moist.  Dry air causes colds to flourish.

2) AIR::  Run a air purifier device 24/7.

3) WATER::  Keep hydrated.  Drink more water through-out the day to where you are visiting the toilet to relieve yourself every hour.  TRY sipping on hot water with good ole lemon juice.

4) VITAMINS::  Increase Vitamin C.

5) CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP::  Eat more Chicken Noodle Soup through-out the day.

6) REST::  Stay home and rest.  Stay away from the herds of people and avoid crowded spaces.

7) COUGH::  When coughing do not cough into the open air. Cough into a tissue or elbow to help prevent spreading airborne germs.

8) HANDS::  Wash hands often with hot water/soap and/or use sanitizing gel.

9) LOZENGES::  Suck on cough lozenges to soothe throats and calm colds.  Evidence in for ZINC LOZENGES shortening colds. 

10) KISSING::  Avoid eating and drinking after someone else as well as KISSING on others mouths. 

11)  MEDICINES::  Take cold meds to relieve symptoms that will ease the discomfort of the COMMON COLD. 

12) HONEY::  Taking a couple teaspoons of honey before retiring might ease some coughing.

13) DISINFECT::  Disinfect phones, television controllers, computer keyboards, light switches, door knobs, faucets, toilet handles, etc.  Items that hands and fingers frequently touch should be disinfected.

14) DISHES::  Wash dishes, drinking glasses and eating utensils in SUPER HOT soapy water and rinse the heck out of them in HOT WATER.  Make sure the dish cloth or scrubber pad you're using is clean.

15) HAND TOWELS::  Use clean, fresh hand towels and wash clothes in the bathroom that are replaced daily.

16) TISSUE::  Throw away tissues are the BEST.

17) GARGLE:: Gargle with warm salt water.

Any suggestions...    

I have asthma and when the common cold hits me, it irritates the asthma which irritates the lining of the lungs making conditions for being miserable perfect.  Hacking rattles the nerves through-out the entire body increasing injuries.  No joke.

The COMMON cold can lead to pneumonia and this my Dear can kill a person.  Because the common cold is labeled common does not mean it's easy on one's health.  hum.

Taking prescribed meds is necessary at times.  If a high fever engulfs you it may be time to visit the good doctor who may want to listen to your lungs to make sure you don't have pneumonia.  An antibiotic may be necessary.  Staying out of the Hospital may require some work on your sweet self.


Here's looking at you Kid,
d

Winter Wonderland Jibber Jabber

BELOVED,  Was Santa good to you?  Grins.  I believe.

Christmas has come and gone.  Time to just sit and sit some more as the hustle has slowed.  I love this time of year with the decorations and regret that the lights start disappearing as people put their shimmer and sparkle away for another year.  The greys come forth not lighting the way. The blahs may set in.

It really is WINTER.  WINTER on the calendar and in the air. A WINTER STORM is blowing into our part of the world.  Am ready for it as I sit in my blue sweatshirt and bluejeans sippin' a large mug of Black Silk coffee with creamer.   The wind is howling as I sit and type.

Looking out the Family room window, the skies are expressively grey with the wind howling.  Snow in the forecast as the bare tree branches bounce to the beat.

A couple of gallons of milk sit in the fridge with food in the cabinets.  Heat is on.  Let it snow.  I ask the Lord very politely, "Please Lord, let it snow."  I am now ready for the cold white stuff to cover the ground as I sit inside looking out.  Snow would be a welcomed sight this time of year.  Read that Texas is to have a record breaking blizzard in the Panhandle.  Won't that be a WINTER WONDERLAND?

I hope we can have a WINTER WONDERLAND.  
Didn't have the over powering urge to spend money this season. This seems right.  Wanted to get some more blue lights at a discounted price for decorating our old stone house next year for CHRISTMAS.  The AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES were just what I wanted as Hubby and I got up early to drive to TOPEKA's K-mart, SAMs and a different K-mart.  Enough for me. I usually go to Hobby Lobby and Wal-marts. Not this year as I was ready to return HOME when we found a TACO TICO for lunch.  I haven't had one of their Taco Burgers in years as this brings a flood of fond food memories to me.  

Husband sprained his wrist as he wadded up a food wrapper which hurt his arm.  Frown.  I did and it pulled a muscle in my neck.  We are a pair.  Sigh.  Can you believe that such simple things cause such pain in our old bodies?  HAH.

This past week was what it was....finished Christmas Shopping, Christmas Cards in the mail, First day of WINTER, Hubby's 61st Birthday on CHRISTMAS EVE, presents opened, country drive to Parents, Candle Light Christmas Service, Christmas morn, CHRISTMAS Ham Dinner, Home again and AFTER Christmas Sales.

Leaving the Christmas Tree up this week as we enter into the new year.  Then the clean-up will take place and I will morn not seeing the colorful lights as Christmas fades away.  Waiting for Spring to arrive will be filled with plans to clean out the upstairs bedroom that's called the JUNK ROOM.

Winter hours will turn into days with cold months ahead occupied with busyness.  This WINTER,  Lord willing, I want to stitch some balloon shades for the bump-out in our house, hang some valances in the Family room, and spend some time sewing bedroom curtains and bedding.  Perhaps by SPRING the Bedroom will be freshened up with newness.

The daffodils and tulips will pop through the soil in a few months...soon.  A welcomed sight.  EASTER EGGS and thoughts of resurrection.

PRAYING for blessings, my friend.
Always HOPE...don't forget there's hope.
d

MATTHEW 1:21

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Story told by pictures.

Merry Christmas,

d

Decorating On The Prairie: Keeping It Simple

 

 My going all out had very little to do with what actually 

went out.  My decorating is minimal AGAIN.

December got off to a very rough start as I was ill and didn't feel like doing a great deal of decorating.

The clean-up should be easy.

I moved a Tea Set to the little Coffee Table then placed the Cake Stand with glass bowl holding pine cones to the Tea Table.  Using a few ornaments on the Tea Table and Coffee Table, I called it done.

 The Piano was needing something, so I placed a cut glass vase with a few ornaments in it.

The Nativity Scene in the room with the CHRISTMAS TREE in the bump-out are all I really needed this year to say 

Merry CHRISTMAS.

Keeping it all simple.

Much Love,

d

All is calm.......

For unto you is born this day 
in the city of David 
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

Luke 2:11