Thursday, December 31, 2009
Paint colors.....
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Merry Christmas to my dear friends!
December has flown by and Christmas is here!! It has been a busy month and I think all I have left to do is wrap a couple of gifts and buy all my canine friends a little something. At last count, I needed twelve doggie treats ...LOL!!! I’ll pick those up tomorrow after work, get a few things at the grocery store and then head home to prepare for our family get together on Christmas Eve.
I’m not sure I will have an opportunity to post over the next few days so I just wanted to leave a quick note to wish all my friends a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and say THANK YOU for your visits and comments. I have made lots of new friends through blogland and look forward to more friendships in the coming new year.
May God shower you with blessings at Christmas and all through the year!! Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope Santa is good to you!!!
Chatty Kathy
Monday, December 7, 2009
My Olde Fashioned Christmas Swap
goodies arrived this week from Tammy and they are wonderful. Look at what I got!!!
The textile item is a great snowman stitchery which now sits on a cabinet shelf, wooden item is the Joy to the World sign, lighted item is a wonderful smelling jar candle, smell good item is a bag of Lemon Rose Creations (you put 3 T. in a sink of hot water and man it smells sooo goooood!!), three ornies are a snowman head, candy cane and Santa cat which has found a home on my tree and the wild card item is a great little Annie doll who also found a place on my tree. Tammy, thank you so much, I sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness and love all my items!
Well, yesterday my g’daughter and I tried making some cinnamon salt dough gingerbread men but hmmmm, while baking, they turned almost white. Don’t know what I did wrong but I am not pleased with them so I am on the lookout for a different recipe that will keep my gingerbread men looking like gingerbread men!! LOL!!! We also made a few jars for her to give to teachers as gifts. Very easy and fun to make. Click here for instructions.
Oh, I almost forgot! I purchased myself a Christmas present….well, actually two Christmas presents. I have been wanting a snowman from Arnett’s Country and just happened to come across their Christmas Open House the other night. I tried to purchase a Santa and a Snowman from the open house but she sold out of ALL of them on the site. So, after many emails back and forth, I called her to see if she had anything left and she was finishing up on a Santa and a snowman. I purchased them, site unseen while on the phone. I still can’t believe I did that without even looking at them but I have never seen any of her items that I didn’t like so I took a chance. Take a look……
Did I go wrong? I don’t think so, I am very pleased. So the tweaking continues and my mantle got another makeover to add these two pieces. I will definitely be saving my money so I can start a collection and get a snowman and/or Santa each year!!!
Have you wrapped all your presents yet? I have not wrapped anything yet so that is what I will get off of here and do now. LOL!! Take care and remember the reason for the season!! Hugs, Chatty Kathy
Monday, November 30, 2009
I’m kinda, sorta finished….
Well, I have the trees up, decorated with ornaments and the outside stuff up but the tweaking continues. LOL!! I have a few pics to show you. I’m not the best at taking pictures so bear with me please…first is a couple of pics in my living room
the foyer
dining room
a couple of the breakfast area
reading corner in my bedroom
The outside pictures didn’t take very well. It’s probably the operators fault and not the camera—hehe!
I added three smaller trees on the front porch
Love my moose and trees hubby and I made about three years ago.
Also, put a tree in the upstairs of our workshop
This is a close up of a porcelain Santa that my Mom made me several years ago. It is my most favorite Christmas possession.
I don’t know how to make the pics clickable to enlarge them. Hopefully, you can get the idea of how my home looks. I’m sure I will change a few items around. I would like to get some gingerbread men ornaments made to add to one of my trees, but not sure that will happen this year. We have decided to have a Christmas drop in on the 20th so I am now planning what foods and goodies I will have. I used to have a drop in every year and for some reason (not sure what the reason was now) I stopped. Kinda looking forward to having this one. I wanted to plan for a Saturday but all our Saturdays are already booked up so the 20th was the only day I could do it. If you are in my area, you are more than welcome to drop in!!! Come early enough and you can help me cook!!! LOL!!
Have a great week!! Chatty Kathy
Saturday, November 28, 2009
You got how many trees?
Some big, some small……..but so far 12 trees are out. I have more for outside. I’ll get to those later today….maybe!! More pics when I finish…..well, more pics when get more done. I don’t think I ever completely finish decorating. LOL!!
I need to get my Olde Fashioned Christmas Swap in the mail today too. Guess I better get up off my behind and get to work, huh? Have a great day!! Chatty Kathy
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What goes around, comes around...
The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before."Leave me alone," he growled... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked. "No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away. The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone."
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked. "No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?" The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?" "See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." "Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!"
Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.." "This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it." Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?" "This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered. "Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place." The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" "Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms." "And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?" "What business is that of yours?" "I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company." "Oh." The woman smiled again.. "I thought that might make a difference."
She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?" "No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty." "Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?" "Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice." The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer." The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said. "That was not my intent.. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?" Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar." "I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry." "Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry. "I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get somethingto eat." Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy." "I know," the woman continued..... "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble.. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said. "I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I wantyou to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked."Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. He led me to you." Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for your help officer," she said. "On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget, And thank you for the coffee."
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!! Chatty Kathy
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Now you see it…..
Ugly, metal, grey electrical box cover…yuck
Now you don’t…..
YES!!! Love it!! I have covered most everything else in my house, so why not this? I told hubby what I wanted and he finished it today. Looks much better, huh? He even put one of those slide closures on the door. Now, what is next on my list? LOL!!
Have a great evening…Blessings~~Chatty Kathy
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
In Honor and Memory of our Veterans…..
Thank you for your service, dedication, love and respect for our Country. I am forever grateful to you!!!
In memory of the ones who paid the ultimate price……
Cpl. Kenneth Allen Mason killed in Vietnam on January 5, 1969, age 20. He was a son, brother and husband. I miss you brother.
God Bless, Chatty Kathy
Friday, November 6, 2009
Got my gift basket ready!!
Tomorrow is our annual car show and I finally got a gift basket ready for giveaway!! Lots of stuff in that basket…peg board, wooden Christmas stocking, Farmhouse table server, apples, pears, Christmas tags, crocheted coasters, primitive Frosty Christmas book and lots more. Not sure if it will be a door prize or if we will sell $1.00 tickets and have a drawing later in the day. All proceeds go to local children’s shelters, Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels or other local charities. In fact, the car registration fee is a money donation (any amount) or donate a toy. An Edsel wagon will be filled to the roof and overflowing with toys. We have lots and fun and I look forward to this show every year. My nephew works really hard to put this together but his love for helping children makes it worth it!! I am very proud of him!! Go to Mason’s Hot Rods to see pics from past shows. If you are in our area tomorrow, be sure and come by!! I will be at the registration table!! Hugs, Chatty Kathy
Friday, October 30, 2009
Fall pics and a finished project…finally!
This is one of the stitcheries I have been working on. Simple design and worked up pretty quick (I can’t think of the designer at the moment, sorry). I saw a frame while we were in Georgia that had the center part raised up so I decided to make me one. I think it turned out great!! With the center frame being raised a bit, you have a place on the back to insert your picture and not have to route the frame out. I was going to put it at the antique mall for sale but I am growing very attached, so we will see where it ends up!! LOL!
Here are just a few pics of some fall displays in my home. Enjoy!
Time for work, be back soon!! Hugs and Happy Halloween!!
Chatty Kathy
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Great giveaway!!
http://cinnamonberrylane.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Chatty Kathy
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Let's go to the fair!!
I hope to get some pics posted very soon of some re-do items. Life keeps getting in my way!! My grandson, Mason, is still having some issues but I will post on that after we hear what the doctor has to say today. Be back soon.....hugs Chatty Kathy
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Didn't realize I was gone so long!!
This Saturday Hubby and I will celebrate our 11th anniversary. We were planning to stay at a cabin or bed and breakfast in or around Clarksville, Georgia but the least expensive room was $180.00!! Seems the Octoberfest is going on in Helen so rooms are few and far between. So, we will just go and visit a few prim and antique shops, visit Helen, Georgia and head back toward home. It's only a couple of hours away so it will be a nice day trip.
Let's see, not much going on here. I'm working on a couple of things and will post pics soon. One is for my friend Rebecca at Rebecca's Thyme in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is the Santa and Reindeer from Olde Country Cupboard. Really neat pattern. Can't wait till it's finished!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful week. I'm heading to work now!! Take care and I'll be back soon.
Oh, for all who asked for an update on my last post.....hundreds of people closed their account AND the County also closed its account. That was a BIG hit. I have also learned that the branch manager that removed the flags has left the bank too. A group of people held a protest last week so this mess is not going away as Bank of America had hoped!!
Hugs to all!! Chatty Kathy
Thursday, September 17, 2009
You can see the smoke.....
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Want a chance to win some goodies?
It must be Christmas!!
This box was sitting on my front porch when I got home last night.
Look at what I found inside!!!
Man oh man, I had a wonderful swap partner for the Harvest Swap organized by Char/The Pickled Pepper Patch. Colleen/And Baby Makes Five really knows how to pack a box full of goodies. Stitcheries, boxes, star, candles, bags of mini bowl fillers, soap, plates, note pad, towels….WOW!!! And most of it was handmade!!!Colleen, I could never thank you enough for all these wonderful items. Everything fits in perfectly with my fall decor. I feel very blessed to have you as a friend!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Our trip to Pigeon Forge last week was lots of fun. We got a couple of rain showers but overall the weather was nice. Cool temps felt just like fall. Here is what we drove….
My ‘56 Lil’ Black Bird. This was my Dad’s car and when he passed away, my son restored it for me. We have a great time riding around and cruising in that baby.
Next, is a shot of the Old Mill water wheel. It wasn’t running while we were there but listening to the waterfall is so relaxing and the flowers are beautiful!!
And of course, I went prim shopping!!! Had lunch with my dear friend Rebecca at Rebecca’s Thyme and also visited Primitive Treasures. Both shops are fabulous!!! I could just spend the day walking around and drooling and dreaming of my house being filled up with all those treasures.
I was sad to learn of the loss of Patrick Swayze. He was a great actor and I loved his movies Dirty Dancing and Ghost. He fought a hard battle but now the battle is over and he can be at peace.
Well, ladies, I must log off and head to work! I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday and I’ll see you later. Hugs, Chatty Kathy
Monday, September 7, 2009
A Productive Labor Day!!
I finally started and finished a project in ONE day!! That doesn’t happen often….heck, I don’t ever remember it happening! But I did it today. I took this picture frame that I have no idea where it came from but I’m sure I didn’t pay much if anything for…..
and this old easel that I got for free from a gone out of business salvage yard that was being torn down……
and made a chalkboard for my porch!
It has to cure for three days before I can write on it but I couldn’t wait three days to show you. I love it!! The frame has the chippy paint finish and looks great!
As you can see, I also started my fall decorating. Still have a few things to get out but most of it is done. I have never decorated for fall this early but after seeing some of the wonderful displays you gals have done, I just couldn’t wait any longer. Hopefully, I will find some fall goodies in Pigeon Forge this week. I will be having lunch with Rebecca at Rebecca’s Thyme on Thursday and will definitely be doing some shopping while I’m there!
Hubby and I will be going to school with Shelby in the morning to enjoy Grits for Grands. She just had to spend the night with us tonight so we wouldn’t be late in the morning. We will go to her classroom first and see her work and then go the cafeteria for breakfast and watch a short program they put together. She is very excited about it!! I’m sad that I won’t be able to join my grandson, Griffin, on Thursday for his Grits for Grands since we will be out of town. His Mom is going with him so I hope he will not be too upset with me.
Gotta run and get some shut eye!! Take care and have a great week! Hugs, Chatty Kathy
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The innocence of children.....
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge.
The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. Some of the winners were:
A four-year-old child, whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old
gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry.'
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Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted. A little girl said, 'I know all about adoption,I was adopted.'
'What does it mean to be adopted?', asked another child.
'It means', said the girl,'that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!'
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On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was 'We're behind 14 to nothing,' he answered with a smile.
'Really,' I said. 'I have to say you don't look very discouraged.'
'Discouraged?', the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face...'Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet.'
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Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott. Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her,eyes shining with pride and excitement. 'Guess what, Mom,' he
shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me....'I've been chosen to clap and cheer.'
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An eye witness account from New York City, on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy,about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the
roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said,'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,'was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks
and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her. 'Are you God's wife?'
That last one brought tears to my eyes....have a great day!! Chatty Kathy
Sunday, August 30, 2009
How time flies....
We are having a tag sale next weekend at the antique mall and took a load yesterday. Sold two chairs while we were there so that paid the rent. Hopefully, the rest will sell. If not, it is going to a local thrift store run by hospice. I refuse to bring it back home!!!
I have also been working on swap items for the fall swap put together by Char at The Pickled Pepper Patch. Can't show you what I am doing since my partner may stop by!! LOL!!
I've also been working on a couple other items. I will try and post pictures later this week. It's too dark now to take any.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Remember that some of our blog friends have a special need and could really benefit from an extra prayer. Take care!! Love and hugs to all~~Chatty Kathy
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
This is what we woke up to each morning.....
while in Daytona Beach. I could get used to that really quick!! LOL!! Next is a shot of my grandaughter and the sand castles she and a couple of our friends made. The guys really wanted to play in the sand, I think Shelby was just an excuse...
And I course, I have to post a picture of my grandson...his first trip to the beach and he wasn't a happy camper in the sand....
I won't bore you with more pictures although I have lots!! We did have a great time and can't wait till next year!!
My hubby's birthday is tomorrow. He is working tonight so I went ahead a baked him a cake. Shhh, don't tell him, it's a surprise!!! This cake is delicious and easy to make. I'll post the recipe if you would like to give it a try.
BLACKBERRY WINE CAKE
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 pkg white cake mix
1 3-oz pkg blackberry or raspberry gelatin
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup blackberry wine (buy the cheap kind)
4 large eggs
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a tube or bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts evenly on bottom of pan. In large bowl, blend cake mix, gelatin, oil, wine and eggs on low for about one minute. Increase speed to med-high and beat for five minutes.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 45-50 minutes or until top is brown and sides have come away from pan.
While cake bakes, make glaze:
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup blackberry wine
2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
Combine melted, cooled butter with wine. Gradually stir in powered sugar until mixture is smooth.
Remove cake from oven and pierce entire surface with deep holes. Pour glaze over hot cake. Let cool.
Enjoy!!! Chatty Kathy