As I sit quietly pondering a busy past few weeks, a wonderful Mother/Daughter weekend, school challenges and successes, I smile.  I am blessed to be the woman I am with a life filled with loving family and friends,a relationship with God, and my health. 

I have so many choices in my life I am never without options.  That in it self is a gift.

Our daughters and their families will be with in-laws this year for Thanksgiving Day but we will talk to each of them as the weekend unfolds.  (As children grow and develop independent lives we have to share them and their time with others!)  But not to dispair we have a wonderful Christmas celebration planned and we look forward to it spending time with all our family in the next few weeks.

Hubby and I are going to fore go on the BIG bird and roast a chicken instead.  Our turkey was donated to my students "Soup for the Soul" project to be distributed to a family in need.  it warms my heart to have been apart of their giving project.

The coming weekend is to be filled with cleaning, decorating for the holidays, corespondance, school prep, and hopfully some relaxing!

May you and your family have a Thanksgiving celebration that reminds you all that is valuable to living a life of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Garbage Free Day

A friend gave this to me recently and it is so good I just have to share it with you:
"The Garbage Truck"

One day I hopped into a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is what the taxi driver taught me...what I now call,

"The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they will dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it on to other people at work, at home or on the streets. The bottom line is that Christians do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...love the people who treat you right; Pray for the ones who don't. Life is 10% what you make of it and 90% how to take it!!!

Have a garbage-free day!

Big Collector with a Little Space

I am just not sure where to go with my newest treasure...

I have a dilemma brewing!  We have this little apartment and I have a BIG collecting habit!

There just isn't enough space to have all the awesome things I find.

The photos give you an idea of most of the livingroom.  The other side of the room has two upholstered chairs and side tables.

I have found a beautiful wood carving and I want to display it but I'm stumped!

If you have an idea for a unique way to display the piece below please share it .

(It weighs about 5 pounds!)

This is a carving of the last supper.  I tried to research the artist but to no avail.

Have you any insight on this style of carving?

The artist's name is Antonio Silva.  He may have been Mexican, Spanish, Portugese,

or maybe even Italian.

Whether I ever find out anything, the carving is really captivating and I'd like to display it.

With that said, I am beginning to plan for Christmas and will be sharing my preparation in days to come.

Have a terrific Thursday!

The pictures leave a little to be desired from a photography point of view but I really wanted to share

some textiles I purchased at my latest auction adventure.  This set includes a table runner, six placemats and six napkins.  It will be a wonderful addition to our Thanksgiving table.

Each piece has a unique pattern all its own.

The angle on this photo was much better and gives a true look at the color of the natural linen fabric.

This is a runner for a table or dresser.  I'm not sure it's my style exactly but I really appreciate the time and love that went into creating it.  I might repurpose it.  I'm thinking the embellishment on a pillow or maybe a panel to display vintage postcards? 

Is this not the cutest way to keep tortillas warm!  And it washed up beautifully.

This little piece is going to find it's way onto a package for a new baby.

Our daughter Amanda and our son-in-law Brad are going to be Auntie and Unccle again soon.

I know I'd like to be saying Parents but that will come in God's time.

Isn't this sweet!

Repurpose, reuse, refurbish...there is no reason not to celebrate home and hearth with so many treasures out there to be rescued and enjoyed.

Treasure yours today.