Thursdays Must Be For Random Posts

Just a few things today...

I recently received 2 books in the mail that I'm really enjoying. (If you don't know this already, I am a magazine and book junkie...mostly decorating and crafting kinds...well, or cooking)

First up....

This book is filled with great ideas for repurposing...like sconces made from baking pans

pillows using crocheted pot holders....

and even lamps made from aluminum thermos bottles...

more cleverness...

The other book is Romantic Style...a book filled with lots of dreamy room settings.

When I saw this picture...

it made me look at my own sofa in the family room...all dressed for summer...

and my mantle birdies...

The little guy on the far right was made by my dear friend MaryLou and can be found in her Etsy shop right here...her things are so cute and I couldn't resist him!

another birdie with writing purchased at a local shop

I'm not thrilled with my mantle arrangement right now...any suggestions?

 I think I need a mirror or tall painting behind everything....it's all too "even".

Birds everywhere!

Have a lovely Thursday....random or not!

xoxo

Joyce

Back in the saddle....sort of

I have lots to show and share over the next days but I wanted to show you some cards that we made in a stamping class I attended at one of my favorite places...Stamp Fanci, a wonderful rubber stamp and scrapbook supply store close to my home. The class was taught by Carolyn Dewey who is a very gifted paper artist and friend. While I was recovering, Carolyn sent me this beautiful card..

The class she taught was variations of this card design. These are the 3 cards we made.

I really enjoyed this class and knew that if I didn't make a card on my own as soon as I got home, I would forget the steps involved.

This is the card I created using Carolyn's directions.

The button card and buttons were made with a Paper Trey Ink stamp set found here. It's a great set and one I will use again and again I'm sure.

Now that I'm wielding a pair of scissors and have inky fingers and lots of new supplies....I have some swap commitments to fulfill, and a new swap to plan for with A Swap for all Seasons.

I'll be back soon with more to show!!

Hope your weekend is sunny and fun!

xoxo

Joyce

PS While I was feeling in a card making mood....I made this one, too. I used my new Tim Holtz, Sizzix dress form die...how could I resist this die?

I just noticed that my followers have flown away...sure hope they come back!





A Random Post..Planters, Peonies & Boys

Vintage buttons displayed in a planter that arrived in my mailbox yesterday!

(Thanks Deb...I love it!)

Peonies from our garden...white and Sarah Bernhardt pink. Every year the rain beats them down before I get a chance to cut and enjoy them. Now, could someone please tell me how to get rid of the ants so I can actually bring them into the house? (Love the Laura Ashley table cover? It's vinyl...oh yes it is, and I found it at Marshalls for $5.99-WOOHOO!)

The ever smiling Miles (age 6.5 months) and always busy Charlie (3.5 years) came for a visit. Miles was charming and made us all laugh a lot and Charlie helped Papa and Daddy plant some tomatoes and herbs for Bam. Digging in the dirt...what could be more fun?

Of course we made time for ice cream but we had to eat fast with temps in the 90's!!
What's that on Charlie's head you ask? His head had a meeting with a wall and he ended up with 11 stitches. Pretty traumatic, although as soon as he got home from the hospital (I stayed behind with Miles) he told me that his stitches looked like train tracks. (Brought back memories of Michelle and Michael as kids. I do need to add that there were more emergency trips with Michelle than with Michael...even with numerous skateboard accidents.....there were special Guardian Angels watching over him I'm sure!)
I hope your weekend was fun!

xoxo

Joyce

PS-I just saw a chance to win this beautiful pillow at Rebecca's blog,  A Gathering Place. While you are there...take some time to browse her blog and also look at the lovlies in her shop here. I would love to win this!



Favorite Etsy Things...

Being away from the computer for a long time, I had not visited my favorite handmade place to shop... Etsy. Now that I'm catching up on my blog reading I take a little time each day to see what's happening over there and check out my favorite sellers. Here are some for today...

(from worthygoods) (Heidi-this has your name all over it!)

(from mgvintageromance)

(from OneQuarterKen)

(from mimis....not my friend Mimi)

(from Mimi...yes, my friend Mimi)

(from my friend Sandy at BlogBannerQueen...such cute things!)

(another friend Michelle at woodandfabric...you've seen her work on my blog many times)

from the amazing HouseofWhimsy2..Mary Lou)

(My colorful pal Laurie of trinketsnh)

Last but by no means least, is this adorable owl completely made by hand

from my talented and sweet niece, Wendi, of

WendiMulvey-Enchanted Forest Crafts

I have not purchased from all of these sellers but they are on my favorites list. Enjoy browing through their shops and seeing the amazing things they make.

Apparently, Blogger is having some issues with the Google sign-in feature and I, and many other people are unable to leave comments for others. I have been trying and trying to say hi but the system is not cooperating. They say they're working on it...I hope they fix it soon!

Be back soon!

xoxo

Joyce

Crumbcake!

Last week, on someones (I can't for the life of me remember who) blog, I saw a link to a New York-Style Crumbcake recipe. New York Style means that the crumb layer is almost as thick as the cake layer. New York Style means that you don't even want to know the calorie count or fat grams in this recipe....you just want to eat it. I have had similar crumbcake at Starbucks and have always wanted to make one. Because my sweet friends Mimi and Joni were coming for coffee on Tuesday and another dear friend, Nancy, was coming later that day for a sleepover, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try this recipe. I made it Monday night while watching Dancing With The Stars (of course I'm watching and voting for Hines Ward and Kym Johnson!!!)
I'm sorry that I don't remember the blog that the link came from but here is the link to the recipe.
Because David was still in Israel with my camera (he's home safe and sound now) I asked Mimi to take some pictures.

Truth be told....if given a choice between something chocolaty and something with crumbs and cinnamon...I'd go for the crumbs every time! Here is the link to the recipe.  It is taken from the book "Baked Explorations" by Matt Lewis & Renalto Poliafito. You will love this one!

xoxo

Joyce

It's Been a Long Month!

I have been home from the hospital since the Wednesday before Easter and I can finally say that I am starting to feel pretty normal. (Well, whatever that means!)
I won't scare you with all of the gruesome details but I can tell you that 12 inches of my colon is gone...along with some other body parts. The surgery was much more serious than we or the Doctor realized until he got in there. I was in the hospital for 16 days and it amazes me how you lose all muscle tone after laying in a bed for a few weeks. I have been working hard to just be able to walk up a flight of stairs without holding on to two railings. (I'm almost there!) When I first came home, I was filled with so much fluid that I could hardly drag my body around. It took 8 days (and 20mg of Lasix each day) to take 17 pounds of fluid away. (I have lost a total of about 24 pounds)
The day after I came home from the hospital, my daughter Michelle flew in from New Jersey for 6 days to care for me. I have always been amazed by her energy and determination but I can honestly say that I couldn't have gotten through that first week without her! She was a wonderful cheerleader and did alot to motivate me. Thank you Michelle. You gave me the greatest gift...the gift of your presence, and your loving care!

Our youngest son and daughter-in-love, Michael and Jackie, came for Mother's Day weekend. We hadn't seen them since before Thanksgiving and we were so happy to have them here. On Monday, Michael flew home to Long Island but Jackie stayed with me until this past Friday morning. It was the first time Jackie and I had spent "alone" time together and we really had fun....talking, watching movies...going to Target! I liked having her all to myself. Thanks Jackie...I loved your company!

The reason that Jackie stayed with me this past week is because David left on Tuesday for a 10 day trip to The Holy Land.....a trip of a lifetime for him. Of course, he was selected to go and the arrangements made months and months ago. I'm glad that I was healing respectably so that he didn't back out. He's having a wonderful time and is overwhelmed with the things he is seeing and learning about. I want to thank all of you who took the time to pray for me over the last 6 weeks....and those who left supportive comments and sent cards and gifts. Your thoughts and prayers saw me through a very difficult time and I appreciate it more than I can ever tell you. I was comforted to know that I was never alone...God was always by my side. The prayers of my family, my church family and my friends all helped me through the darkness back into the light. Thank you so very much.
I may not be posting very much until David comes home...he has our one and only camera so I can't take photos of anything. I just wanted you to know that I've come a long way and I'm glad to be back!!

xoxo

Joyce