AAAAIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!

Yeah- that’s the “Cajun National Anthem”-(Jolie Blond)- you hear playing. I just LOVE cajun music and I got to listen to a little bit today.

I  listened to Zachary Richard on LPB tonight. He  has some great tunes- but even  before that I was havin a Looziana day- just lovin this swampland I live in!

Took a drive to a funeral today and was reminded of how unique this place is.Swamps, crawfish farms,rice dryers,levees,and cajun music!
 I love this place- so much culture.
Traditions?
Oh yeah- Easter Sunday most yards will be filled with happy folks boiling crawfish- finally!!!!
The season is full on after that- and the festivals begin- one after another- zydeco music with words I’ll never understand- but love the sound of.
AHHHHH- Louisiana!!!

Fleur DeLeis...football...saints......oh my!

**Just in case you missed the story on KPLC here's a link**
KPLC News Story- "81"
Nah- I'm not really a big football fan- but it just

seems to be unavoidable to

pull for the Saints this time!

It's a first in lots of ways and .....well ..with the

 economy woes, job insecurity, and the suffering in Haiti- it's kind of a nice diversion.

It's also a diversion from my daily workout!!!! UUUUGH!

I'm really working hard and not seeing lots of results- but just like pulling for the Saints...it's unavoidable to see where my weight and muscle tone are heading If I DON'T keep working out!!!

Why oh why does it have to be so hard ?

All the time I'm sweating and working out I keep thinking of reasons that I can't do this...

I'm old, I don't care, it won't work, nobody else cares......

and on it goes!!!

I go through the same routine every day...

and some days I'm just about in tears by the time I finish!

I've worked at working out for the past 10 years..

never did it in school-except when I played softball-

I'm clumsy and awkward and it just doesn't appeal to me.

But the alternative is to gain weight..feel sluggish and get weaker as I age.

eeny-meeny-miney-moe

do I eat or

touch my toes?

If I eat

I'll grow and grow

and if I don't

I'll touch those toes!!!!

Funny the things ya do when ya get older,huh?

A profound thought?

Last week in a tragic accident a young father's life  was ended .

He left behind three young sons and a wife and no doubt many,many friends and loved ones.

He was a public servant, a State Trooper and by all accounts(I didn't have the pleasure of knowing him or his family) was well loved and respected.

Most importantly , he knew and loved his Saviour, according to those who knew him.

His passing was mourned publicly by hundreds and hundreds of people, covered in the news and escorted by his fellow officers,friends and coworkers in a moving display of honor and kindness.

Last week a middle aged father 's life ended after a 2 year struggle with lung cancer.

He left behind a wife and married son & daughter and a few friends and relatives.

A life of hardship and difficult choices made his life less than picture perfect but happy all the same.

He was in and out of church, his family has had numerous setbacks and in the end his passing was noted with a small service with a few friends and a bit of family  in a small chapel with little or no notice from the rest of the world.

 Both will be missed .

Both were loved.

Psalms 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints

I wondered as I watched the final moments of the simultaneous events how each of the families felt.
I know a bit about it....and I know that losing a loved one hurts, no matter whether they were honorable, upstanding heroes or just plain old every day people.....like my people.

I know that people surrounding you at the time of your loss is like a warm blanket on a blustery cold night! It's still cold and but it makes you feel much better to be wrapped up in the warm blanket.
I also know that both families will face the same difficult things ahead..learning to live differently... but living still.


Some ladies were mentioning the events of the week at prayer meeting last week and Rebekah  put it all into perspective for us with this quote from .....".Horton Hears a Who"

               "..A person's a person,no matter how small"

                                            Don't forget to listen for the little people.

Vintage Lady

This is another fun project I finished this weekend- an altered art doll.

It was oh so easy and lots of fun!!!

Start out with a vintage can- mine was an AVON Talcum powder can called Here's My Heart.

I used a ceramic head from a thrift store  figurine, bits of lace,buttons,old jewelry pieces ,fringe and fur to embelish her. Finally I hung a gold rope with a heart button attatched around her neck.

Now she's ready to give someone her heart!!!!!!!

A new treasure!!!!

I just couldn't wait to share the latest creation from the jewelry-makers den!!!!

I requested a pair of silver and turquoise earrings several weeks ago and to my great delight my in-house silver-smith finished these yesterday!!!!

I just LOVE them!!!

I just had to hurry and share them with you!!!!!!!

Birthday fun and memories..

Thursday was my 52nd birthday~ and it was a good one.
I mean, if you're still here to celebrate then it's a good one , right? :)
Anyway, it was a quiet, low key day.
My daughters and my mom prepared a brunch and tea at Sara's house.
We had a wonderful time visiting and relaxing together.

Abby informed us all that she had worn her RED PANTIES especially for my birthday!!!
Who knew I'd be honored so???? :)
While I was stretched out in the recliner Abby snuggled up in my lap(very rare for her to be this still) and looked up at me and really quietly said, "Granny, I am so happy it's your birthday! I love you so much!" and then she rubbed my face in her chubby little hand!
Is there a more precious gift???

Speaking of special gifts I must tell you about the looking glass in the picture .

It was one of my gifts yesterday.

At first I hadn't recognized it-

The last time I saw it , it was dusty with face powder and "rouge"(my grandma always called blush that)  and the glass was broken. There was a tiny space you could see yourself in but mostly it just lay in the left hand drawer of the dressing table amid hair nets,rouge pots, and hairpins.

 It was there for as long as I can remember-

and I remember being as young as 8-10 and barely able to see myself in the mirror over the table!!!

My mom had it repaired  then  cleaned  and polished it and presented it to me for my birthday!

As I look into it, I can't help but think of my grandmother as she looked at her hair and face

to ready herself for her day.

It's a nice memory to start off my day.

AND THE WINNER IS............................................

I know it's late but I did get it done before midnight!!!!!
First of all I want to thank each of you who shared your heart about the past year!
I was so encouraged to hear from each one of you- and all of you are winners~ but I promised to pull a name out of the old hat for a special surprise and I did!!!
And that name is.....................................

CAROL SUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carol Sue has been a long distance friend for several years and I am so happy  to share

a special little gift with her!!!!

Carol Sue- I'll put your package in the mail on Monday morning!!!!

Do you want to be surprised or shall I tell you what I'm sending?

I hope each of you have a wonderful 2010!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking back....looking ahead

I found this posthttp://michaelhyatt.com/2009/12/seven-questions-to-ask-about-last-year.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+michaelhyatt+%28Michael+Hyatt%29&utm_content=FaceBook by the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and thought it would be fun and enlightening to post a similar set of questions here- please play along!!!!!

Such good questions!!!!!

Don't think too hard- it's just a brief reflection!!!

Should I offer a prize?????

I think so!

I think I shall pick at random from those who participate in the questionairre.

The prize??? How about ........it'll just have to be a surprise!!!!!!! :)

I'll announce the winner on New Years day!!!!!

#1 If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be?
Drama, romance, adventure, comedy, tragedy, or a combination?

#2 What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring? These can be single words or phrases

#3 What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of?

#4 What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren’t?

#5 What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year?

#6 What was missing from last year as you look back?

#7 What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year? Boil this down to a few short, pithy statements.

More hobby pics......

I'm still learning how to use my new camera and my photography is really

 showing just how little I'm advancing!!!!!

I'll get it- but it'll take a while....I'm a lot slower with technology these days.

These pictures don't really do the pieces justice but you'll get the general idea anyway.

This is a really whimsical piece- I just love it!

My workin' man took an old silver fork and kinda gave it a "hand" appearance-

but not just a hand- it  has a story.

The more primitive pieces combined with the elegant worn silver grasping a gaudy jewel.........

it's just a fun piece  don't you think?

The next piece he did also repurposed an old silver pie server- can you see it?Again, the picture makes it look a little  dull  but it's really quite pretty...and it has "jAnGLy" !

I just LOVE this one!!!!

He's having a great time reading up on metal ,metal supplies and techniques.The best part for me is that I get to wear each piece and get feedback.I'm looking forward to the upcoming pieces he's working on!!!!

Maybe by the time he finishes them I'll have a grip on the new camera.

2009 House Tour was a ton of fun!!!!!!

Well we did it again!!!! Another year of friendship during good and bad times.

Supporting one another during illness,deaths and trying times- where would we be without the gift of each other????

There were several last minute changes due to unforseen scheduling changes,sick babies and even early dismissal of school due to a record early snowfall!!!!We missed you guys who couldn't be with us!

These three "amigos" had quite a time poking fun at each other- I'm certain we were annoying!!!

Our first stop today was at Gwen's home in Sulphur-

she had the most wonderful goodies for us to start

the day off with!!! 

I'm always so blessed to "feel" the warm homey feelings in my sister's homes!

This little corner really just took my heart!!!! Isn't it cheery???

Beautiful spot,Gwen!!!!Thanks so much for getting us off to a great start!!

Falon shared good news with us today too!!!! Allie is gonna be a big sister!!!!!!!

YAY!!!!

Our next stop was at Sallie Garners , north of town.

What a treat that was for all of us!

She's actually responsible for inspiring the tours. She invited us to

 attend a similar event several years ago and it was such fun that we copied !!!!

How nice to have 4 generations together for a fun girl day!!!!

Lovely family Sallie!!!

Lots more goodies here too!!!!

 MMMMM! Great scones-I've already requested the recipe girls!!!!

It will be forth-coming.

How's that for a grandkids room!!!!!!

My grandkids should be so lucky!!!

LOVELY!!!!!

Another happy visitor and north Sulphur resident-Helen!!!

It was especially nice to  have Marilyn and her mom Donna Rae with us today!!!

After so much abuse  :) at Liz's hands I switched cars and rode the remainder out with these two- they look safer, don't ya think?????

UUUUUUMMMM....maybe not!

That's vintage hankies were holding up!!!!

Maire and I both have a BUNCH of them and several weeks ago we were trying to

come up with a novel use for them........

I told Maire, "Hey, let's use 'em as hankies!!!!! "

She was retelling the silly story to her mom and to our

delight we both had our HANKIE!!!!

It deserved a picture!!!!!

What nuts!!!!!!

FINAL DESTINATION........................

Lynette Washburns big ole barn house!!!!! What a treat this was for me personally!!!!
Not only was it just wonderfully western- it was out in Choupique- my old stomping ground!!!!!

Sure felt good to be there!!!!The rain had started and we didnt even have to get wet!!
We drove all the cars right inside the barn , beside the horse stalls !
What a perfect final destination for our tour!!!!

I couldn't imagine how it could be any better....but it was!!!

She had a big ole pot of shrimp gumbo simmering on the stove!!!!!

It was too good for words!!

Rainy cold weather, and hot gumbo  in a cozy

western retreat, complete with cowhide chairs and rugs!!!!!

To all our hostesses-THANK YOU SO MUCH for opening your homes to all of us!!
It is such a treat to see how God has blessed your life and permitted you to share it with all of us!!!!
And thank you to all of you who contributed to THE LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRY.

It only seems right to remember those who don't have homes as we share hospitality.
 Thank you for remembering them today

SNOW in DECEMBER????????

Are all my northern friends laughing yet???????
We NEVER get snow this early- in fact we rarely ever get to see the stuff!!!!
The parish dismissed school at noon , advised everyone to stay in and ran special edition news to cover it all!!!!
Us southerners are so excited!!!!
My kids in the back (Sara & Christopher) are having a bonfire- and people actually showed up - guess  ya gotta play!!!!!!

I'm waiting for our internet connection to improve before uploading the pictures from todays exciting House Tour 2009!!!! We had sooo much fun! Check back tomorrow-AFTER the Farmers Market for those pics!!!
Of course I'm still doin the Farmers Market!!! Ya think a little snow is gonna stop me?
My market friend,Ms Hobbs, called earlier to make sure I was goin. She has her car loaded up and ready to go.
I just love market selling!!!!!

ART in Motion !!!!!

These yummy beads are the creation of a close friend- Helen   http://helensharvest.com/
She has an annual Open House and discounts her lovely creations to HALF PRICE!!!!!
This year I was able to purchase not only a couple of really pretty beads but also an extraordinary shoulder purse!!!! What a treat!!!!
(Guess I could have taken a picture- huh? sorry!If I remember- I'll snap one tomorrow)

It's inspiring just to visit her home!
I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by LOTs of talented people- they ALL inspire me!
The really cool thing is that each of them masters a different art- and altogether it's almost too much to bear.

This is one of the pieces my workin man has done for me. He's been bitten by the "art bug" too! He rubbed shoulders with Marilyn,who introduced him to an area of metal work that he's really enjoying learning.
He's done some great pieces , but once again I'm not snapping as many photos as I should be!!!

Likely I shouldn't share this next one- but the truth is the truth!!!!!!

Yeah- that's fabric on the floor, yarn hanging down from the shelf,and every other thing you can imagine in places of ...hmmmm lets say ...disarray????? Is that a word?

How bout it's just a big ole' mess!!!

But out of the mess emerges a few fun items!!!!

This nature themed glass ornament...

My first attempt at a banner..this was FUN!!!!

And these fun primitive stockings.

I really do clean up the craft room too- but lately-not so much!
I'm still learning how to manage my time and efforts and so far cleaning the craft room is not on the top of my "TO-DO" list  
:)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

I pray that wherever you are you can find a special moment to lift your Thanks to the Father!

I find myself not being very thankful   and I hope to change that!

Life is so full of changes and challenges and I have had my share of them- but haven't we all?

I want to concentrate on moving through the hard times gracefully.

I'm feeling really clunky right now- but I am still trying!!!

I find myself at a passage right now that requires a bit of patience-

I don't want to become a bitter unhappy old woman- I want to arrive at the

end of my journey, no matter when that is, as a happy and contented person.

 

God has blessed my life beyond my wildest

dreams and I just want to give Him  thanks for each and every one of them!

Carefully guarded secret...revealed!!!!

I have been taking myself FAR too seriously lately and am in need of a "happy -thought"!!!!
So here it is!!!
My happy thought for today is ....
.......well, let's see- I'm cooking a really easy dinner for my very patient working man and boy so YIPEE!!!!!
Time to play in the sunshine and sewing room.
Which will it be?
I dunno- but I promise to smile and laugh and have a great time- you need to do the same thing!!!!!

Merciful......rescue......

Having just returned from yet another funeral, I'm forced to reflect ,

once again on the meaning of life...

The point of it all.

I know , deep in my heart, that God directs

and has plans for our lives...

but in the face of death,

 I am forced to evaluate LIFE.

Not only mine but those of the people I love.

The ones I see day to day...the tired,struggling, lonely ones.

The forgotten and troubled ones.

The ones who endure emotional pain, physical difficulty, loss  and abuse.

As I sat in this funeral I saw the generations of friends that have and are even now suffering these things.

It seemed  my heart would  burst from the pain of it all.

How could just this small group represent so much suffering and sadness?

This world has become so troublesome and sad at times.

Oh, I have hope- eternal peace and even joy.....

but the pain of this world is real

and if nothing else would make me seek God

and the promise of life eternal,

this pain and sadness would drive me to seek HIM.

I don't have any wise words or a big lesson~

just a heart full of mercy and compassion for all of those who are suffering.

I'm so glad that God has me in the palm of His hand-

He shelters me from the raging storm that is this world and the pain within it.

Ps 61:3

For thou hast been a shelter for me,

and a strong tower from the enemy.

Ps 62:7

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

***If you saw me today and thought me unfriendly, you were right.
I wasn't fit to be around people-
In a day or so I'll feel a bit more like it but it sure seems to linger longer the older I get.
It just seems that I have so much to "think-out" and I can't think and function at the same time....:)
so, until a brighter day......

One of the songs that was played has been a favorite of mine for years-

it's called "PRESS ON" by Selah~

it wasn't avaialble to play here but I did put a couple by them that are dear to me as well.

Hmmmmmmmm...........................

Looks like a landslide to me! Everyone agrees I need to replace the camera.

It gets really annoying shopping for a camera- so much advice and so many to choose from.

After reading reviews and talking to LOTS of folks I'm leaning toward a Canon Powershot-

anybody have complaints on that one?

Not sure if I'll buy online or local- gotta save a little green first!

;)

The death of my camera!!!!

It is a SAD day here!!!
Actually, I am just now coming out of shock from the trauma of yesterday!   :)

After over 6000 pictures my camera revolted and died  yesterday. The last picture I took was at the DMV when Luke got his license! I missed his fun birthday party at work altogether!

We shared cookie cake, Blue Bell ice cream and lots of laughing with his friends at work and his sisters!
He celebrated his first day of driving alone by stopping at LOWES! Isn't that funny????
I just LOVE being able to say that he's "wasting money" at a store like that rather than on other stuff he could clearly choose.He's a great kid!!!

Now on to the bigger questions of life........to I continue to blog or not? I KNOW I'm not a good enough writer to carry the blog with no pictures. :)
I know what your thinking....why not just buy another camera?
I might....... but I am trying soooo hard to be frugal( don't laugh honey,I am!!!) and I hate to think of spending money AGAIN on a camera! UGGGH!
I say we should vote on it!!!
Yeah- that's it! I'll put a voting button up and see what you guys say!!!!

NOW GO VOTE!!!!!! 
Hey if you vote yes- tell me what camera you use. I have no desire to learn lots of new tech stuff- just great pictures with minimal brain activity!

Die Hard Market vendors!!!!!!

These two were up at dawn to help get things set up for our first day at the Local Farmers Market!

That's what I call "Die Hard"!!!!

We missed Bekah and Abby- they had a bug and weren't able to get out.

It rained all night last night and it was supposed to do the same all day today- but the weather cleared and though it was a last minute effort it went well.

I brought my Altered clothing,soap, and lots of small needlework items as well as purses.

Somehow we didn't get a picture of the adorable little birds Bekah did! They looked great- they were scattered around a Prim birdhouse on hay.

Sara made some pecan pie, pumpkin pie and tiny Oreo Cheesecakes.

She also did quite well with her baby hairbows.

We all sold a little bit  and had a great time!!!

There are 2 other major craft events in town this weekend as well as Homecoming, LSU football and a bluegrass festival(which took a few Market goer's out of town).

Considering all the events to choose from the turnout was good!

Even had a few friends show up!!! Thanks ladies!!!!

 .

SELF-PROMOTION??????

You probably thought this was an advertising free spot- but NO!NO! NO!

Hey- I have to fund my addiction to playing with soap somehow!!!!!

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

The name you see on the soap is not just a random thing- it's my grandma's name. Some of the happiest memories I have were at her feet amongst "old things" that have come to represent... ME!

I connect with old rusty buckets,windows with peeling paint, old shoes and aprons!!!!

It only seemed right to honor her memory every day by seeing her name on another

old thing I wish I could have shared with her-

Homemade Soap!!!!

A local business man (and friend) agreed to give my soap a spot in his very cool store called

"81"

(3708 Maplewood Drive~ #533-8181)

(You'll have to ask the owner why the name- I dunno!)

If ya get a chance to stop by please do!!!

***** 

Somewhere in the store there is a sign that says

"UNCOMMON OBJECTS"

and believe me- this store is full of them!!!

It's my all time favorite store...full of rusty, cracked paint,dented old STUFF!!!!!!!

(antiques,collectibles and cool reproduction pieces as well as custom built things)

I'm working on a special holiday gift soap today- it won't be in the store until early November so come back here or go by "81" to see the fun new soap  for the holidays!!!!

The line of soap I'm working on are Farmhouse Scents-
Oartmeal, Milk &  Honey~Daffodil Blossoms~~ Gulf Breeze ~Summer Grass Stain  Windblown Sheets ~ Fresh Grapefruit


I   want to thank all of you who have so heartily encourged me in continuing with this little project! I have been feeling a little like an artist lately-  all the creativity and time to actually try my hand at some of the things I've always wanted to do.
Your words of encouragement, direction and affirmation have meant so much!!

~The Drama of the Dance~

You've heard the song that goes,

"Life's a dance, ya learn as ya go....somtimes ya lead....sometimes ya follow..."

That's been on my mind a lot lately-

Maybe I'm just learning right now- I don't know.

Seems like everything that has been....no longer is~

A houseful of kids, school schedules...

All the things that I've done for the past 30 years are suddenly-

(o.k. not suddenly, but still sorta quickly),  changing.

I haven't had the choice to have lunch with a friend at my convenience

for at least 30 yrs! Now all of a sudden I do!

I can shop when it suits me-

Now rather than buying crayons(no- I didn't buy Luke crayons for school this year or last or...)

I'm buying fabric &  trim and other fun things to keep my hands and mind busy.

But still my mind wanders and I think about all that has been

in those years.

So much drama in this Dance of Life~

~Births,deaths,weddings,divorce

baptisms, church splits, new churches

school at home,private school, public school

old friends,new friends,family reunions~

all of the little events that combine to make a life

and still God knows them all!

He has been aware of every twist and turn and knows the outcome of it all.

When I was afraid, He comforted me

When I gave up ,He didn't

When I was overcome with grief, He soothed me

When I was alone, He was present with me

Even now as I stumble along, trying to find my feet again, at yet another stage of life,

He constantly reminds me that He is aware of my unsure steps, and He won't let go of me.

When I cry at the very memory of some of the drama of this dance

He quietly reminds me that He has never allowed me to endure more than I can bear

and that this "weird stage" of finding my feet in the "dance" doesn't upset Him at all-

He's leading....All I have to do is ...FOLLOW!