Thankful Thursday

“It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.”


Today, I am thankful for many things. A wonderful husband who is my best friend and who has the ability to always make me laugh, even when I feel like crying. A marvelous son who is my pride and joy, even on the days he is stomping all over my last nerve! A job to go to everyday, even on the days that I have to force myself to get out of bed to go to it! Good food to eat to nourish my body, even when I have to be the one to prepare it and then clean up the mess afterwards! Great blogging friends, who lift me up with their wonderful comments when I am feeling down about myself. They are truly hugs to my soul.

So, what are you thankful for today?

Until next time. . .

Hugs,

Whatcha Working on Wednesday. . .

Hi! Yep, I'm still here among the living! I swear, I don't know where time goes anymore. Seems like I am constantly rushing around, but never seem to accomplish everything I want to accomplish!

Remember this milk can that my friend gave me? I posted about it a while back.



Here's what it looks like now:



I painted it black and then added some left over wall paper border I had laying around after my bathroom makeover. I love how it turned out!

Hubby has been hard at work making some more of the outhouse toilet paper holders. My Mom requested one but she didn't want hers painted, only stained. It turned out really nice:



I have been "junk hunting" over the past couple of weekends. Although I haven't had much luck, I did stumble across a couple of good finds. While out in Arkansas a couple of weekends ago, hubby and I went into a thrift store where I found a set of wooden bowls, six of 'em for only $5! I am using one of them to hold some yummy smelling tarts I got from Kitty at Shabby Kat's Primitive Sundries and Such through a swap we did over at Prim Pals Forum. I plan on painting and distressing the others.



Last weekend, hubby and I went to a couple of local flea markets where I found this wooden pineapple bowl for $1.25. I am going to try to do a paint treatment on it as well. We will see how it turns out!



Hubby and I are really enjoying our "alone" time since the kid is out in Arkansas/Oklahoma visiting my Mom and brothers. He will be home at the end of July so I am enjoying the peace and quiet while I have it!! We are planning a romantic weekend getaway for this weekend to the Great Smoky Mountains. I am excited about that as that is where we were married and it's one of my most favorite places to visit!

Well, that's gonna do it for me today. I've got a laundry basket full of clean clothes to fold calling my name. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Until next time. . .

Hugs,

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Well, I can see that summer time is definitely gonna cut into my blogging time!! I have been meaning to get on here for the past few days to post, but I never seem to have the time!

We took the kid out to Oklahoma this weekend to spend the summer with his uncles (my brothers) and my Mom. It's a fourteen hour drive one way, so needless to say, we were worn out by the time we got home! Hubby and I have been enjoying our quiet time together and are looking forward to lots more of it since we have the house all to ourselves for the next five weeks! We are contemplating a quick overnight trip to the Smoky Mountains either this weekend or next. I am very excited about that since I love that area of Tennessee! Hubby and I have so much fun when it's just the two of us on travels like that because we get to do all the fun stuff we want to do and don't have to worry about entertaining any kids! My hubby is so sweet whenever we go somewhere like the Smokies because I want to look in every shop, especially the craft shops and he never complains. I think he secretly enjoys them almost as much as I do!

Now for Whatcha Working on Wednesday. I just participated in an Americana swap over on Prim Pals Forum. We had to make all the items in an Americana theme. I decided to make my partner a kitty cat since she really likes kitties. I didn't have a pattern to use, so I just looked at a pic in a magazine and free handed my own pattern on a piece of typing paper. I think she turned out pretty darn good!



I also made some rag balls from a fat quarter of fabric I found at JoAnn's Fabrics that had little flags printed on it. I didn't take a pic of them, but I was pleased with how they turned out as well. My swap partner really seemed to like everything I sent her so that made me feel really good! Our next monthly swap is gonna be a Christmas in July swap, so I am already working on some stuff for that one. I have a lot of fun with these swaps, but they are a lot of work! No wonder I don't have time to do anything else anymore!

Well, that's all I've got for now. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Until next time. . .

Hugs,

Tasty Tuesday and no, I'm not dead!

Hi everyone! Long time, no post, huh? Well, my only excuse is laziness, I guess! My Mom is here visiting with us until we take her back to Arkansas (along with the kid for the summer) on Thursday. Between spending time with her and trying to get the kid through this last week of school, time has just run away from me!

For today's Tasty Tuesday, I am sharing a recipe for a wonderful Grape Salad. As usual, it's quick and easy and oh, so good! A co-worker made this once for a potluck lunch we had and man, I feel in love with it! Her church just came out with their first cookbook and when I found out that this recipe was in it, I had to have one!
Hope you enjoy!!



Grape Salad

4 lbs seedless green and/or red grapes
1 8 oz container sour cream
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 oz chopped pecans
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Wash and dry grapes thoroughly. In bowl, combine sour cream, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Mix well. Add grapes and stir to evenly coat. Mix together pecans and brown sugar and sprinkle over grape mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I was the fortunate winner of Lynn from Country Hearts and Roses 100th post giveaway! I received my package late last week and I was thrilled! She sent me some awesome cards, a wonderful friend sign, a tiny box of tissues, bookmarks, a yummy candle and note pads. Thank you so much Lynn! I love everything! Here's a picture of all my goodies:



One of my best friends at work celebrated her birthday a couple of weeks ago. She is the type of person who has everything so it's really hard to buy her anything. I decided to stitch her up a heartfelt sentiment about our friendship. She loved it! I was hesitant about giving it to her because I was afraid she would think it was silly but she really liked it! And I was pleased with how it turned out too! Here's how it turned out:



Well, that's gonna do it for me today. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I'll try not to be gone so long from now on!

Until next time. . .

Hugs,