Pink Cherub Moon

More Fun With Photos - Daughter's Version

2012-01-23T02:55:00.000-05:00

Looks like I'm not the only one in the family who likes to play with photos! My daughter found some app for her phone and went nuts "doctoring up" pictures of her kids (my grand babies). Here are a couple that made me laugh - hope they provide you with a chuckle too!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful and happy day! xoxo, Leena

Shabbyfufu Give-Away!

2012-01-23T01:21:00.001-05:00

Janet of Shabbyfufu is an extremely talented photographer, among other things. She has kindly offered to give-away one of her gorgeous original 5x7 photos! Please click the link below to enter! Don't miss out on this one! Her artistic eye is phenomenal!

Shabbyfufu Give-Away ------click here!

GIANTS WIN!!

2012-01-22T22:51:00.000-05:00

My husband is thrilled. His team has done it again. The New York Giants have just won the championship. In other words, THEY'RE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!! Looks like they'll have the opportunity to repeat a BIG win over New England

Sorry, but I just had to do it. Stand by your man and all that stuff LOL! Hugs, Leena

Today's Smile

2012-01-18T15:52:00.000-05:00

I was sleeping in a little this morning, trying to catch up a few less than restful nights that I recently had, when I felt this gentle little tapping on my hand. Before opening my eyes, I heard the sweetest voice, "Meemaw? Wake up. Meemaw? Good morning! Meemaw, it's me, Jamison!" I opened my eyes and there my sweet little minkey cherub was, all smiles just for me! He gave me a big hug, then announced that he had to go potty LOL! It was so wonderful to have been awakened by one of my favorite "men"! Made me smile all the way from my heart! God, thank you for bringing such a darling into my life!

I hope your day brings you a heart smile too! xoxo, Leena

Squeezing In A Thrift Trip

2012-01-12T19:54:00.001-05:00

I had planned on spending the entire day in my office/studio, working on all the projects that I have running amock in my head. However, as we all know, things have a way of changing and remaining flexible is often neccessary in order to maintain one's sanity. I ended up running errands for other family members and, while I was out, decided that I needed a little of that sanity-saving therapy. My favorite treatment? Going to the thrift stores!

I always love these little jaunts, hunting for items for my home and things that I can revamp for my online shop. Today, between two stops, I found quite a few nice goodies!

I found this really neat bronze-colored birdcage with circular cut glass ornaments on each end. I will place a small silver tray in the bottom to hold candles, then find a location in my home for it. I'd been wanting another birdcage ever since I made the bad decision to get rid of one I previously had. Next to it is a gorgeous white metal lantern with glass panels - I can't believe that somebody gave this away! It has an, well, odd display in it (a tiny bird's nest, one blue egg, a goblet filled with sand, a small flower pot with a tea light in it and some shrubbery). Fortunately, none of these decorations are glued down, so they've already been removed and set aside for possible future projects. I have big plans for this lantern and it will show up in my shop soon!

In addition, I found two pasta/salad plates that are white with a black rim. I'm slowly building an everyday collection of mix and match black and white dishes. I picked up two sweet little bottles that I have revamping plans for, a really cute little dairy crock (perfect for butter or dips), a small sundial for my garden (come on spring!) and an ornate plate that will soon hold a candle and some potpourri or a floral/boxwood wreath. Hmm..seems that most of these items are staying with me. Well, some days it's like that. I can't sell every treasure I find, can I?

On my way home, it dawned on me that today was Thursday and I was thrifting - why is this important? Because it's Thrifting on Thursdays at SavvyCityFarmer's blog! Wow! I'm actually on time for something! OH! I also stopped by the grocery store and picked up the new copy of Romantic Homes magazine so I could admire the wonderful feature of my friend Janet of Shabbyfufu - congrats Janet!

So, I guess it was an extra good thing that I was flexible today. I got some new goodies for the after Christmas redecorating bug, some new projects to work on and I had a little break time that I totally enjoyed.

I hope you've enjoyed thrifting with me today and I thank you for being here! Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Leena

Linking up to:

SavvyCityFarmer Thrifting on Thursdays

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Fridays

2805 Potpourri Friday

Be Still My Heart!

2012-01-10T01:03:00.001-05:00

I came across a true treasure today and I just had to share. One of my dreams is to do well enough in my business to afford a vintage truck. This dream is not new; I've been wanting an old truck for ages! I saw this one today and had to take pictures of it:

It's a 1957 Dodge and it's for SALE! One of my plans has been to get a license plate that reads OLDRNME (older than me) LOL! Can you imagine? Too cute! I have no idea how much the owner wants and, frankly, I can't afford to buy anything like this right now anyway, but a girl can dream, can't she? I am lusting over this truck now - paint it PINK and I would truly be in LOVE! Oh! A really funny thing is that it's parked outside a restaurant called Vintage 50!

Things like this just keep me motivated and that's a good thing. Hope you find something special today too! xoxo, Leena

Linked to: Debbiedoos Newbie Party

New Rescue Shelter Challenge!

2012-01-09T16:15:00.002-05:00

Today is the first day of a new rescue shelter challenge! By voting for your favorite facility, PetFinder will award much needed money to help these wonderful animals! The link below will take you to the voting page that already has OBG Cocker Spaniel Rescue chosen. If you have a favorite facility that you wish to vote for instead, just do a search on it and it will show up on your voting page every day. You can even have email reminders sent so that you won't miss a chance to click in your vote! These darling, many times abused animals depend upon us to help them out. It only takes a minute or two and can make such a difference. OBG has placed as many as 300 dogs into loving forever homes in one year! They even reach out to others, calling them "Honorary Cockers" (currently, there is even a cat on their adoption page!). Our beloved Gilbert (RIP) and Sullivan came from OBG and we couldn't have asked for better furry family members! Thank you all so much!
Hugs, Leena

ShelterChallengeVotingPageLink

Sullivan says, "Please vote! Thank you!"

Our Sweet Gilbert with Jamison

Linked to Debbiedoo's Newbie Party!

Villabarnes Give-away!!

2012-01-08T01:17:00.000-05:00

Please hop on over to Villabarnes and check out Rosemary's wonderful give-away! This is her first one and it's a doozie! FABulous items from her oh-so-talented hands! You won't want to miss it! While you're there, follow her blog for news and pics of all her gorgeous treasures! Thanks, Leena

Lazy Day

2012-01-07T17:52:00.000-05:00

Today is a lazy day; just hanging around, no real direction in mind. There are a million things to do but they will all wait. I'm trying not to drive myself crazy this year. It all doesn't have to be perfect all of the time, right? Sometimes, you just have to stand still long enough to hear the world around you breathe.

Whatever you're doing today, I hope it's bringing you joy! xoxo, Leena

Today's Smile

2012-01-03T14:54:00.000-05:00

Today I am smiling because of the little tiny snowflakes that swirled around our legs, as Sullivan and I took our morning walk. The wind was freezing but the snow was such a happy sight; very graceful, almost like a ballet! The best part? It didn't stick to anything and in about 10 minutes, the sun was back out. That made me smile too! BONUS! Who gets this excited over weather? ME! LOL! I hope you have a smilie day! Hugs, Leena

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T17:20:00.000-05:00

As 2011 comes to a close, I want to thank all of you who have read my posts, followed my blog, Face Book and/or Etsy shop, offered encouragement, mentoring, laughter, love and friendship! The year would not have been the same without each and every one of you and I so appreciate you being such an important part of my life! Wishing all a very Happy New Year! Be safe! May 2012 bring you much happiness, joy and the fulfillment of all your dreams and goals! Love, Leena

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!

Fingerprint Friday at The Rusted Chain

2011-12-30T18:23:00.000-05:00

Beki Hastings at The Rusted Chain blog took inspiration from the following song to host Fingerprint Friday. I thought this was a great idea and wanted to contribute a short post. The song by by Steven Curtis Chapman says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

This makes me think of my wonderful and adorable grand babies, whom I have posted about so often. In my world, the fingerprints encourage me to slow down, to see things through the eyes of these babes, to be excited, happy, filled with laughter and awe at each moment that is presented to me. I can share in their enthusiasm for the smallest of details, reveling in the realization that what we are experiencing truly is a miracle, beautiful, fresh and new. It makes me look and think deeper and brings peace to my soul. Everything from the smallest bug to the loudest noise qualifies as new and unique. Oh what joy it brings! My little ones are covered in God's fingerprints, sharing their unconditional love and undaunted spirit for the world around them with anyone who will take the time to share in the moments. I for one, love to share! I hope you have beautiful and blessed fingerprints too! Love, Leena

Linked to Fingerprint Friday

Precious Family Treasures

2011-12-30T16:10:00.002-05:00

I really think that I take after my mom in a lot of ways. Mom was a keeper. She liked to hang on to things that had sentimental value; items with family connections. I am very much this way as well, opting to give away or sell newer pieces of furniture, for example, to make room for items with family history. If I can't get my hands on the original, I am drawn to things just like those I recall from visiting my grandma or favorite aunt's farm. What may appear as a box of rusty old junk sitting in the back of my uncle's garage was a gold mine to me! Grandpa's old screwdriver? The horse shoe that hung over the garage? My grandma's chicken scale - these were all parts of my heritage and I gladly give any cast-offs a new home. What also made these items important were the stories that went along with them. I often encouraged my mother to record her stories and I'd type them up for her, but sadly, she never did and I don't remember all of the details nor do I have the flair for retelling them like somebody who lived the experience did. Mom passed in 2007 from a massive stroke, at the age of 87. Since then, I have clung dearly to anything that reminds me of her and helps to fill the void in my heart.

During a recent visit with my dad, he bestowed upon me some items that warmed my heart to the core; Mom's doll collection. I remember these dolls from when I was a child. My mom and I would take them out, admire them, and she would tell me stories about how they came to be. These are true treasures; ones that Dad thought could be handed down to Abigail when she is older. In the meantime, I will act as their guardian and enjoy having them in our home.

The first little lady is Chuckles. I have no idea why she is named that, but I do know that Mom said when she was 4 or 5, all the kids would frequently go to the store "in town" to see what toys and other items were in the window for Christmas. Mom saw Chuckles and instantly fell in love with her, telling everyone else that she was hers. There was another admirer who claimed she would be getting Chuckles, but my mom was tough. She exclaimed that no, Pop was buying her for her to have for Christmas. In other words, hands off! One day, during her routine visit, she noticed that Chuckles was gone! She was heartbroken, thinking that a competitor would be receiving her beloved baby doll. Saddened beyond consoling, Mom awoke on Christmas morning with a heavy heart, only to be overjoyed by the sight of Chuckles waiting for her under the tree! Seems that my grandpa had secretly purchased the prize and hid her in the house. Today, she wears a dress, socks and bonnet that belonged to my oldest daughter, as the fabric of her original outfit finally wore out, but she herself is in remarkable condition. Her eyes even still open and close and there is very little crazing to her plaster or chalk ware (I'm not sure what she's made of) body.

Chuckles

Chuckles and antique cradle

Next, we have Farina. I don't know all of her history, but she too was a doll Mom fell in love with and was lucky enough to receive. Even spending a few dollars for a doll during The Depression was a big deal, so she took extra good care of hers. Farina has three little braids on her head and is wearing her original clothing, except for her undies. She had rubber bloomers imprinted with "So What?" on the backside. Maybe this was to discourage young boys from making fun of her "unmentionables", I have no idea. I just always thought it humorous. Farina's arms and legs move via large internal springs that creak when manipulated. She is quite unusual and has the sweetest face and an adorable pudgy tummy.

Farina

The last little one, I call Baby. I cannot for the life of me recall his name. I keep thinking it starts with a B, (Buster perhaps?) so I've settled on Baby for now. He is the littlest of the three, about six inches tall and is made of celluloid. His clothing looks very old and hand-made, but I am not sure if it is original to him or not. He has a little dent in his head and a couple of tiny holes, but considering how extremely fragile he is, that's not too bad. All of these wonderful darlings are at least 80 years old. Chuckles is probably more like 87, and are so very precious to me.

Baby

Farina and Baby are currently up on high shelves in my china cabinet, where little doll lovers cannot reach them. Chuckles is peacefully napping in her cradle, as shown. The cradle, by the way, is hand-made and about 100 years old. It too is an heirloom worth preserving.

Mom's Dolls

I am so happy that, during times when modern tastes and trends dominated old and antiquated, Mom loved her dolls enough to keep them. I am also very appreciative of Dad entrusting them to me. When Abigail gets older, I will tell her the story of Chuckles and of Farina's rubber undies and maybe by then I can also tell her what Baby's real name is. I hope that she will cherish them as much as Mom did and as I do.

Thank you for stopping by and reading today. Comments are always welcomed. Have a wonderful and special day! xoxo, Leena

Linked to: DebbieDoosNewbieParty

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Give-Away!!

2011-12-30T00:55:00.000-05:00

Pamela, over at From My Front Porch To Yours writes:

You can enter to win one of the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Holiday Baskets being given away by over 100 Stockist across North America! Each basket will include two fabulous pots of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan soft wax in clear & dark, and Annie's book Quick & Easy Paint Transformations.

Plus there is even MORE!

In addition to the holiday basket giveaway, a lucky winner of the holiday basket from EACH shop across North America will be entered for a chance to win a $350 gift certificate from Annie Sloan Unfolded. It will be good toward your choice of a credit on your Annie Sloan American Tour registration fee or $350 in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! The big winner will be announced on Annie's blog on January 10,2012. Can it get anymore exciting than that!?

I've already entered - hope you will too! I'd love one of these wonderful selections of Annie's fabulous paint and supplies! Hugs, Leena

New Year, New Word

2011-12-28T01:56:00.000-05:00

I was just reading Beki Hastings's blog, The Rusted Chain, and she suggested assigning a word to the new year. This word would have meaning, would help shape and define the coming year and how we deal with life on a daily basis. I've always referred to certain words to inspire me, to cheer me up or to motivate me. For 2012, I think I will concentrate on the word BELIEVE

I shall believe in myself and my abilities; in my faith and in the knowledge that I am following the path that I am meant to take. I will believe in my strengths when I feel weak, in my intelligence when I feel foolish, in my individuality when I feel odd. I will strongly believe in who I am, no matter if others feel I should be different. I am me, the only person I know how to be, and I believe that is just fine. I shall continue to believe that growth comes from taking chances, that opportunities present themselves more to open minds than to closed ones and that each day is a chance to make everything new.

BELIEVE.....my word for 2012. I believe I like it!
Take care and thank you for stopping by, dear friends! Hugs, Leena

Photo courtesy of Thoughtsstorieslife.blogspot.com/Google

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T05:17:00.000-05:00

To all of you who have stopped by, read and followed my blog, left your wonderful comments and supported my craziness and dreams, I wish you a very Merry Christmas or other holiday observance, filled with joy, love and many blessings! May the coming year bring you much happiness! Looking forward to seeing you more during the coming year!
Much Love from my family to yours,
Leena, aka PinkCherubMoon

More Fun With Photos!

2011-12-23T01:10:00.000-05:00

I've been playing around on picnik and photobucket and have had the best time! Here are some of my latest projects:

Is that holiday fun or what? Ho Ho Hugs, Leena

A Visit From Santa Claus and Friends

2011-12-22T01:47:00.000-05:00

One of the nice things about living within town limits is that there are always special events during the holiday season. We can drive or walk to parades, shows, special shopping nights, the tree lighting and other fun activities. A favorite annual tradition is the arrival of Santa Claus via fire truck. You can hear him all over the area, as the siren wails and the horn honks, letting folks know he is in their neighborhood. This nightly visit takes place for four days, and Jamison loved tracking Santa's progress on the computer as he made his way to our neighborhood. We all went down to the corner as he approached - even Sullivan our dog was excited to see the man in red! As the truck drove by, we waved at Santa, Frosty, Rudolph and the firemen. The little ones loved it! (us big ones enjoyed it too!). Here's a picture of all the excitement:

Merry Christmas to All!

Hand Prints On My Heart

2011-12-20T01:49:00.000-05:00

Look at what my sweet little grandson Jamison made in preschool the other day! He was so proud of his artwork - and so was I! His mommy hung it on the back of the front door so we could all see it when in the living room and when going up and down the stairs. He's thrilled that it has become part of our Christmas decorations and I know that it will be for many, many years to come! I just love little kid's hand prints! They warm my heart! Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Leena

Christmas wreath made with Jamison's hand prints

From The Mouths of Babes

2011-12-15T02:50:00.000-05:00

It's no secret that my grand babies crack me up with their antics and the things that they say. Abigail, who will turn 22 months old on Christmas, is quite the comedian, just like her brother, even when she doesn't mean to be! Here's the latest little giggler:

Abigail insists upon carrying something to the house to deliver to me when she gets home from daycare. She primarily likes to bring home a piece of mail, but often will carry a small, light-weight bag if they've stopped at the store. The other day she saw me at the door, and came squealing up the driveway with a grocery bag in her hand. In the bag was a big piece of chocolate cake her mother had bought...ooohhhhhh forbidden chocolate cake! Sorry. Anyway, as I assisted her up the steps, Sullivan, our dog, came to greet her and she lost her balance. I straightened her out and headed her towards the door. As she staggered around, I said, "Stagger much? What have you been drinking?" and, without missing a beat, she replied, "Appa juch". I just about fell over laughing!

I know I'm biased, but you have to admit she's a keeper! LOL!
Hugs and Have a Great Day! Leena

Combating Cranky Car Chaos

2011-12-10T15:37:00.000-05:00

During the holidays, we all seem to spend extra time in the car. There are errands to run, shopping to do, trips to see relatives, school and social events to attend and, even while the destination may be enjoyed by all, getting there can often lead to crankiness, for children and adults. At this point, all is definitely NOT calm! I remember the "she's breathing my air", "he's looking at me", "her leg's on my half of the seat", and the ever-popular "are we there yet?' "no" "are we there yet?" "no" "are we there yet?" "NO". Yes, my siblings and I were quite a handful! So, when I had my own children, I came up with little games to keep away the boredom.

1. Pick 5 or 6 colors and have the children count how many cars they see of each color. The non-driving adult or an older child can keep track in a notebook and the results can be tallied at rides end.

2. Look for license plates that begin with the letters of the alphabet in order (first plate A, second plate B, and so on). See how far into the alphabet you can get.

3. Watch for license plates from different states. This is easier if you are traveling a longer distance, but it still can work for short trips. Children can be given maps and color in the states that they spot.

4. Count live Christmas trees attached to car tops. We do this every year for the entire Christmas season.

Hopefully, your travels will be uneventful, but if not, give one of these diversions a try for a Holly Jolly car ride and a Silent Night!

Thanks for reading! xo, Leena

Fun Postage Idea

2011-12-07T14:14:00.000-05:00

When Jamison was 5 months old, we celebrated his first Christmas. Being crazy, insane and loving grandparents, Jim and I went all out to make sure that the little guy was the star of the show. Jim heard an ad for Photo Stamps and we decided to check them out. It's a really neat website, where you can upload your photo and they make a postage stamp out of it, you order as many as you need and they mail them to you within a couple of weeks (our order only took a few days)! You can use pictures of your kids, pets, family, wedding, engagement, baby's birth, favorite scenery, artwork - basically anything that isn't obscene or copyright protected. I had bought Jamison a tiny little Santa suit so we knew exactly what we were having our stamps made of! Jim and I propped him up in a big chair with his stuffed reindeer and took about 25 pictures of different poses and facial expressions. The poor baby probably thought we were bonkers, and, well, he'd have been correct. We picked our favorite photo and had our stamps in time to place on Christmas cards. Our friends and relatives were so surprised to see that little face on the envelope, that many of them cut the stamp off and kept it! I actually kept an unused one myself. Here is the pic that we used back in 2007:

That little face still melts my heart today! Anyway, I'm not being compensated for this, I just thought it was worth passing on. If you make stamps, please let me know! I'd love to see a picture of what you decided to use. Have fun! xoxo, Leena

Coffee Filter Wreath

2011-12-06T14:54:00.000-05:00

This is the neatest project and it looks like it is so easy! A little time-consuming, but inexpensive and with a beautiful result! The link below leads to the tutorial from Lowe's Creative Projects Magazine. I get the hard copy and saw this wreath and just had to come online to see how it was made. I could tell it was coffee filters but that was it! If I can squeeze any additional project time in before Christmas, this one is going at the top of my list! Ho Ho Hugs, Leena

Coffee Filter Wreath

Operation Christmas Decorating

2011-12-06T02:17:00.002-05:00

Operation Christmas Decorating has begun at our house and right now, there's so much to do! There's boxes to keep Abigail out of, for one thing. She dumped a whole container of ornaments out last night, but fortunately, they were unbreakable ones that I'd gotten for their little tree last year and she's such a good girl, she picked them all up and gave them to me. Jamison, on the other hand, decided he was decorating "all by himself", as he put it, and gathered up a bunch of stuffed animals, some Christmas themed, some not, and lined up several rows on top of my piano. Such a character! The following picture sums up his level of excitement:

Jim and I got the garland with lights hung around the garage yesterday. Sounds like a simple task but it was anything but. I remembered that some of the lights were burnt out at the end of last year's season, and had purchased replacements. The idea was to unwind the old lights and wrap the new ones around the garland and wreath that hangs in the middle. Remember I said it "sounded" simple. After about an hour of attempting to untangle everything, Jim came into the kitchen dragging his project behind him, looking somewhat defeated. The solution? I took a pair of scissors and cut the rest of the lights off! Done and done! I suggested that it was easier to wind the lights after the garland was hung up, but he didn't think so and set to doing it his way. No problem. As long as it got done I was fine with that.

Well, he ran into problems and somehow got the garland longer on one end than on the other and the wreath was backwards so that the plug for the whole things was no longer on the side it needed to be on. (Jim normally has a colorful vocabulary for things like this, but kept his cool LOL!) OK, hmm...let's run the garland through the wreath so that the sides will be switched. This worked, however, the short side was now shorter and, I hated to say it, looked really bad. Bless his heart, he tried so hard and we make an excellent team, never losing patience with the other, so I rigged up a temporary solution so we could plug it in. I found more lights and garland in my stash, so tomorrow I'll extend the short side a bit and it will be good to go.

Anyone who has little ones in the house knows that flexibility is key to keeping things sane. Since the family room is now the play room, aka the room where things fly through the air and everything gets touched and played with, I decided not to do my usual mantel decorating with all the glass and breakable items. Those will go on top on my piano, the Santa collection has been moved from the piano to the small sideboard in the dining room and their little tree and stuffed animals will decorate the fireplace mantel. This way, they have decorations where they spend a lot of their time and, hopefully, everything will be safe :::keeping fingers crossed:::. I'm also thinking of making changes to how I decorate the banister. Normally, I wrap garland and lights around it, but since Abigail is just getting to where she can master walking up the stairs holding onto the railing, I hesitate to put anything up that may impede her and therefor be dangerous. I'll be sure and post pics of my solution once I come up with it and give it a try. I have a bit of an idea for it.

In the meantime, I dug out a couple of mantel pics from Christmas past to share, as I feel so behind in getting everything done and posted. Hopefully, the current decorations will be photo ready in a day or two. Have a wonderful day and if you're decorating too, have fun! xoxo, Leena

2005-Angel Theme. Bunting made from gathering the center of a fan folded antique lace tablecloth, securing with a rubber band, then "fluffing" it out into a poof and stringing beaded garland along it. I made the wreaths from grapevine ones, painted gold, then added gold angels and white ball ornaments, along with white and gold ribbon. Wish I had a better picture of them, sorry.

2010-My pink tree! This was a pink and white theme-white garland, white lights, white angels and Fleur de lis, pink candles, huge pink and clear "diamonds", white and mirrored candle sticks. This is most of what will go on the piano this year, with a few changes to keep it new and different. I always have to change something-isn't that what decorating's all about? :)

This post is being shared with From My Front Porch To Yours mantel link party and My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia Mantel Block Party. Be sure to click the pics on my sidebar to join in on the fun! Great inspiration and Christmas decorating ideas!

A Home For Santa

2011-12-05T22:55:00.002-05:00

Several years ago, there was a wonderful antique store nearby that was housed in an 1800's school house. Each year, the shop would hold an open house for Christmas, featuring many antique and vintage decorations as well as ones from local and national crafters and artists. My friend Judy and I loved to attend this soiree, browse the items and taste the yummy tid-bits the owner offered. We'd make a day of it, visiting other shops during the remainder of our outing.

Each year, I would purchase a hand-carved Santa. Each one was unique and had their own personality, and it was fun to watch my collection grow. The artist left one year and the shop has since closed, but I still have my "addiction" to finding a new Clause each Christmas. I began my own campaign, rescuing orphaned Santas from thrift shops and yard sales. This weekend, it was time to go get the jolly old elf and bring him home! I can't quite tell you what I look for in my jelly belly buddies, but when I see the right one(s), I know it. Here they are, the 2011 Santas who now have a new home and a lot of new friends! I still have a bit of work to do on the tree, but wanted to show off my newest guys.

The skinny one has arms - they're behind him and he's holding a green bag with a teddy bear peeking out

I hope that you have special Christmas items that bring you joy each year too! I am sharing this post with DebbieDoosBloggingandBlabbing Copy Cat Link Party. I was inspired to share my Santa collection by this photo I saw on Pinterest:

Photo from MarmeeandCompany.blogspot.com

Join Debbie's Copy Cat Link Party!
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-edition-copy-cat-challengeits.html

Also linked to http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2011/12/thriftn-on-thursday-2.html

Mr. Sullivan Goes To The Spa!

2011-11-30T23:57:00.000-05:00

My sweet little Sullivan had a nice "spa" day at the groomer's today. He had a bath, got his nails done, his teeth and ears cleaned and got a great hair cut which he badly needed ( he was quite a furry little beast). The groomer was afraid that he would be cold without his hair, so I bought him a fleece jacket as an early Christmas present. The groomer gave him a cute little Christmas-themed bandana too! Here he is modeling his new attire:

He really seemed to like his new jacket and didn't shiver when we came inside like he usually does when he's nakey dog, so I guess it was a good call on the groomer's part. He's such a little old man but he's still my baby! The little ones were cute when I brought him home. Jamison thought he was a different dog and Abigail followed him around saying, "Jacket off. Jacket off" because she is told to take hers off when she gets home. They think he looks pretty handsome and I think he does too! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, Leena

Junk Gypsy Show On HGTV!

2011-11-27T23:57:00.001-05:00

Tonight was the night! HGTV showcased the PREMIERE of "Junk Gypsies" starring our very own Junk Gypsy legends, Jolie and Amie! The show was fantastic and it was so inspiring to see two junk loving, creative women make it to the BIG screen! I was SO impressed by the show, that I left the following comment on their blog. If you're not familiar with these two mavens of upcycling, back road roaming, family nurturing and free-spirit style, or if you've never heard of Large Marge, you NEED to run on over to their blog and take a peek - http://junkgypsyblog.com/concrete-tv-crews/

"Leena Lanteigne { 11.27.11 at 10:10 pm } Bravo! I’m applauding while I type LOL! I watched your show and it was SO NICE to see your beautiful faces, hear your voices, see your family members, the shops you’ve discovered in Texas and watch you work your magic to transform a plain room into a Junk Gypsy masterpiece! I loved the room and everything in it! Funny moment – when Jolie was stacking up the cans and talking about making a light fixture, I turned to my husband and said, “Is she gonna make a light or shoot them?” well by golly, ya did both! Cracked me up! Then, I almost died when y’all were talking about painting that fabulous aqua cabinet – NO!!! I love the color! I was hollering at the television! Amie and Jolie, the show was awesome! It was realistic, personable, informative and fun. I felt like I was right there – it wasn’t pretentious at all, which is what I love! I want to be able to relate my junking and creating to folks on tv and y’all nailed it! I even got to see Large Marge! LOL! Can’t wait until the full season starts. It just goes to show you that good, honest work, faith and family can conquer mountains and make dreams come true. Congrats on a HUGE success! Love ya! Leena"

Jolie & Amie

Photos Courtesy of http://junkgypsyblog.com/concrete-tv-crews/

So, you can see from my comment how much I LOVED the show! If you missed it, check the HGTV website and see if it will be repeated. The full season starts in March 2012!
Enjoy! Leena

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T02:48:00.000-05:00

Wishing everyone a joyous Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, fun and food! May the coming year bring much happiness, health and good times with family and friends! Thank you for being here! Hugs, Leena

Another Curb Shoppin Tip

2011-11-23T15:03:00.000-05:00

I forgot to include this in my post the other day. If you see a piece of furniture that isn't quite what you need, take a closer look at the hardware. You can find great knobs and drawer pulls on cast-offs. I once found a little desk, but it was melamine - not something I wanted to revamp. However, it DID have cut glass knobs on the drawers! I stood there and unscrewed those little gems and used them on another project. Considering they cost $3.99 each at the hardware store, finding a few of them freebie-style was awesome!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-23T14:58:00.000-05:00

Today I am thankful for the beautiful breeze that is coming in my window, for it pushed the clouds away and the sun is shining brightly after days of heavy rain. Today I am thankful for all of my blogging and online friends who offer me support, encouragement and their inspiration. Today I am thankful for my "in person" friends, for even though I don't see them nearly as often as I'd like to, I keep them dearly in my heart. Today I am thankful that the local radio station has started its annual playing of Christmas music. Today I am thankful that although I didn't realize that I had two pairs of turquoise undies in with the whites before I added bleach to the load, instead of turning everything blue, the blue ones became tie-dyed (groovy!). Today I am thankful for the scented candles that lift my spirits and make everything smell yummy. Today I am thankful that, although I don't know all the answers yet, I am figuring out what most of the questions are. Today I am thankful for the sound of the wind chimes. Today I am thankful for today.

Wishing you a day full of wonderful things! xo, Leena

Never Say Never!

2011-11-21T18:28:00.001-05:00

Have you ever found an item, either on the curb, at a yard sale or flea market and thought, "Gee, it'd be great if only that _________ wasn't missing/broken/etc"? I used to, until I turned my brain onto repurposing and revamping, giving new life back to an old object and re-loving it, even if it isn't perfect! Case in point; a while back, I found this beautiful dining room chair while out curb shopping. It had a gorgeous shield back, a nice wide seat that could be easily recovered, curvy legs and one arm...wait, ONE ARM? Yep, one arm. Seems that the other one was broken off. "No problem", I thought. "I'll just take the other arm off!" And that's exactly what I did. I took off the arm, filled the holes with wood putty, then sanded it down before painting and glazing with a gel stain. Meanwhile, the seat received a fetching and oh-so-fun leopard print fleece for. I loved it and apparently others did too as it sold almost immediately! Wish everything worked that way! LOL!

One-armed chair before

Becomes no-armed chair after!

Close-up of glaze in details

I currently have another chair, a solid wood one with a pressed back that is missing one little curved piece that joins the back to the seat. When I found it, on the curb of course, there were two of them, but the one was completely taken apart. "Aha! Do you suppose that means it has that little part I need to replace the one that's missing on this chair?" You betcha! I actually found it on the ground next to the chairs! So, that one will get repaired and painted soon. One more - two identical chairs with rush seats. One has a few tears in the back corners of the seat, the other's seat is perfect but the dowels between the legs are sticking out for some reason. So, if I can't repair both, I will swap out the seats, do some refinishing, then offer it up for sale, while I use the not-so-perfect chair to hold a pot of flowers come next spring. This way, they both stay out of the landfill and serve a purpose - re-love it!

I have a bunch of furniture in my garage waiting to be painted and I'm really wanting to get it done so I can park my car back in there before the snow falls. I'll be posting pics as I go along! Thanks for stopping by - you know I love it when you do! Hugs, Leena

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More November Thankfulness

2011-11-21T02:18:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I am thankful for:
The smell of a neighbor's fireplace as it scents the air,
The crunch of the fallen leaves underneath my feet,
The joyful sound of my grand children giggling,

The soft, cuddly warmth of my faux mink blankie,

My dog Sullivan, who never leaves my side,

The soft breathing of my husband as he sleeps next to me, making me feel safe,

The friends whos faces I don't see, but whos hearts I read every day,

Our home which is not always perfect, but provides shelter and security,

The fact that I don't fit into any particular mold, thus allowing me to be me,

The memories of my mother and brother, which keep them constantly in my heart.

So many other things that will be continued.........goodnight!

Rose-Colored Cluckers

2011-11-21T01:11:00.000-05:00

Most of the TV I watch these days is reality television. The shows, to me, are like twisted experiments in human psychology, and seeing what people will do under certain conditions is often shocking and humorous and always entertaining. One of my favorite shows is Storage Wars. If you're not familiar with this program, I'll fill you in. It chronicles the activities of five main "characters" as they interact with each other while bidding auction-style for the contents of abandoned storage lockers. Some play nice, some don't. The intriguing part is seeing what the coveted bin is hiding after purchase, as the participants are not allowed to preview before bidding. Most buyers run thrift-type stores and need the contents to turn a profit for their business. Barry, however, is more in it for the thrill of the hunt and for the chance to buy that one special item that is of great value. Not that the monetary worth is of much importance to him; he's more interested in collecting unique items.

Storage Wars on A&E

And you think YOU'VE got JUNK!

Barry is my favorite on the show and he's quite a character. He wears vintage-style clothing and drives vintage cars, some of which have been "Frankensteined" into odd automobiles that barely resemble their origins. Barry is the master of the bad joke, but his positive attitude and ability to get along with even the orneriest co-bidders, makes him a real treat to watch.

Barry

Awesome black car

Even MORE awesome pink and white car - love it!

The show is actually educational. You can learn a lot about antiques and oddities that are rescued from behind mattresses and boxes of, for a lack of better words, stuff. For example, on a recent episode, Barry came upon three pairs of chicken sunglasses. Wait, chicken sunglasses? Chickens wear sunglasses? I've never heard of such a thing. And so the lesson begins. It seems that chickens are blood thirsty and if one gets a cut and scrape, the others will peck it to death, in an attempt to get to the blood. The lenses on the glasses are red, thus cancelling out the red of the blood and, therefor, keeping the chickens safe. If they can't see it, they don't peck at it. Apparently, these glasses were very popular with farmers who purchased millions of pairs of the groovy shades for their fowl in the 1950's and 60's. Sounds a bit gross, but the best part was seeing a chicken wearing a pair of these. When Barry went to a farmer's and they placed a pair onto a chicken's beak, I just about fell off the couch I was laughing so hard! See for yourself:

My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!

So, if you're looking for something unusual, entertaining and educational to watch, give Storage Wars on A&E a try.Where else will you find a chicken wearing rose-colored glasses? Have a great day and thank you for stopping by! xoxo, Leena

Being Thankful In November

2011-11-20T02:57:00.000-05:00

Today I am very thankful for my two grand babies! They are the loves of my life and bring me joy and laughter every day. Even though they have their "moments" once in a while, they are so cute, funny and loving that I can over-look those times. After all, they are just little ones and entitled to a fit once in a while. The best part of my day, besides when my adorable husband gets home, is when Jamison and Abigail Rose get home from daycare, or school as Jamison likes to call it. He rings the bell over and over while peeking in the sidelights and giving me this enormous smile, until I come to answer the door, then he squeals, "Meemaw!" and gives me a BIG hug. Abigail follows behind with a huge grin on her face, shouts out her 21-month old version of Meemaw, and wraps her little arms around my legs. She really goes crazy when she sees "Geegaw" as she is totally in love with him and has to climb up on his lap and chat with him as soon as she gets home. Moments like this just melt my heart and make me smile from the inside out! I think that's plenty to be thankful for!
Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, Leena

Abigail Rose

Jamison

Funky Junk Interiors Fab Give-Away!

2011-11-18T01:47:00.000-05:00

Funky Junk Interiors has teamed up with Katie's Rose Cottage to bring us blog addicts another fabulous give-away! $60 to spend at Katie's Rose Cottage - yeah baby! So many beautiful things to choose from! Click on the link to enter - I did! http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/11/katies-pays-visit-with-girlie-giveaway.html

Being Thankful Today

2011-11-16T19:21:00.000-05:00

Even though the projects I planned and tried to do didn't quite work out so I now have to figure out re-do plans, and even though I had to go out today and every time I go out lately it rains (argh!) I am thankful that God has placed creativity in my heart and soul as a way to express myself and share with others, relieve my stress and brighten my days.

November - The Thankful Month

2011-11-15T01:15:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful that God has given me my fabulous husband who is so very supportive while I follow my dreams. If I get discouraged, he always picks me up and things get better!

From My Front Porch To Yours Fab Give-Away!

2011-11-13T15:03:00.000-05:00

Tis the season for fabulous give-aways and you won't want to miss this one! Head on over to From My Front Porch To Yours via the link below and enter to win a beautiful pocket watch necklace from Shabby Apple! It's gorgeous!!
http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaway-time.html

Beautiful Give-Away from French Farmhouse 425!

2011-11-12T18:39:00.001-05:00

Click the link below to find out how you can enter to win two of these gorgeous linen ruffled Christmas stockings! I know I want them! Hugs, Leena

http://shabbyfrenchforme.blogspot.com/2011/11/ruffled-linens-giveaway-at-425.html

A Treat For Me!

2011-11-11T16:26:00.001-05:00

While I was yammering on about my boots and flip flops, et. al., I forgot the really fun part of yesterday! I remembered that I had an unused balance on an old Home Goods gift card and since I was in the area, I decided to drop in and see what the store had to offer. Have you ever been to a Home Goods? The first time I went there, I was like a kid in a candy store. My mouth dropped open and I kept saying under my breath, over and over again as I walked the entire store at least twice, "Oh my!" I love that store but hadn't had the budget to shop recently, so knowing I had "free" money was a real treat! I didn't know what I would find, or if I would find anything, but it had to be something fun - no cookware or forks or anything utilitarian like that! Seeing as I have an addiction to pillows, I ultimately chose this:

It isn't going to stay on the couch as I have enough pillows on there already, with the ones that make up the back and my faux mink (fink?) ones, but it made a good place to take a picture (until I noticed once loading the pic that my husband had left his sweatshirt on my green chair). Big ones, little ones, they all make messes, don't they? Oh well, I have to remember that I don't live in a magazine and everything doesn't.....have to..... be... perfect. There, I said it. Oh, that hurt! Oh! And while I was looking for my Home Goods card, I found a Kirkland's card from last Christmas worth $25! Yeehaw baby! I'll save that trip for another day when I really need some fun. Thanks for reading! Hope you have a fantastic day! xoxo, Leena

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Flea Market Trixie Give-Away!

2011-11-11T12:31:00.000-05:00

Be sure to check out Flea Market Trixie's current give-away for one of her beautiful chalkboard prints! She is so talented! Details: http://www.fleamarkettrixie.com/2011/11/chalkboard-print-giveaway.html

Bootie Call

2011-11-11T00:44:00.000-05:00

If you've read my earlier posts, you know that I have a real problem with giving up my flip flops and wearing regular shoes when the weather turns cooler. I've been fairly lucky so far, in that the days have been warm enough for me to still don my foot favorites, unless it's raining, which is was today. So, since I had to go to a doctor's appointment and then run errands afterwards, I succumbed to wearing my tennis shoes, with socks (argh). Part of the problem is that shoes and socks make my feet hot and if my feet are hot, I'm not. I usually don't like being hot, unless I'm at the beach or sitting by a pool with a nice frozen drink in one hand and some favorite reading material in the other. Each store I went into today had their heat cranked up and was sweltering. OK, perhaps my internal thermometer is just a wee bit off due to this Mother Nature thing that women around my age so happily experience but whatever the cause, wearing the shoes and socks just made things worse. So, when I got home, the first thing I did was whip those things off my feet! As the sun and temperature started to go down, I started to get chilled, so I went for one of my favorite pairs of cool weather footwear - my leopard print bootie slippers! They're soft and comfy and cozy warm and just so much fun to wear! Take a look and see if they don't make you smile:

Quite a departure from my flip flops, but way cute! Hey, if I have to wear shoes, I might as well have a good time, right? Thanks for stopping by and remember: silly feet are happy feet! Hugs! Leena

Gardening Day

2011-11-03T20:22:00.000-04:00

I had the best time today, working in my yard! I'd been waiting for the rain to stop and the grass to dry a bit, so that I could mow it, then discovered that I needed a new spark plug in my mower. Argh! So that was taken care of the other day and today it was time to mow. I couldn't believe how wet the grass and ground still were! The rain, rain, rain, snow, melting snow, rain seem to have added quite a bit of extra moisture to our landscape. Not a real problem. It just meant that I had to empty the mower bag about three times more than usual and that the grass took up a lot more room in my big garbage cans than I would have liked. The worst part is that they weigh a ton! Our trash service doesn't pick up lawn waste again until Thursday, so I hope it doesn't rain again in the meantime. If so, those cans will be impossible to roll down the street!

I actually filled both of my cans with more than mowed grass. I pulled weeds, dug out this annoying ornamental grass that had sent runners all over my flower bed, emptied the now frost-bitten plants (I spread the dirt in the beds) out of my many containers and picked up some leaves. I also dug a really big hole to transplant a hydrangea into and planned to lug a bunch of mulch from the side yard into all the beds. Needless to say, after several hours of working, I didn't get around to moving the plant or the mulch, but I still feel good about today's accomplishments. The weather was so perfect - blue, clear sky, autumn breeze, cool temperature, no humidity and lots of sun. Much better than the 100+ temperature and almost as high humidity days that I was working in about a month or so ago. That was no fun at all!

I get a big thrill out of being able to have a day like this mainly because I have a really bad back that restricts my participation in projects of this type at times. It takes me several times longer than it used to, to do things and I have to sit and rest my back every once in a while, but I'm a determined little bugger and keep going until I know I've pushed my spine to its limit. Then it's time for a nice glass of ice water, a warm shower and a little admiring of what I accomplished. Yep, it was a good day! Hope you had a great day too! xoxo, Leena

Creating Vintage Charm-It's Here!

2011-11-03T19:38:00.000-04:00

I was SO excited yesterday when little Abigail got home! She and Jamison like to bring in the mail and she was carrying my copy of Creating Vintage Charm magazine! Of course, I immediately turned to the section featuring my pumpkin - I was just too elated to wait! This is the first time that any of my artwork or my shop has been published anywhere! Like I said before, I am truly humbled and honored. Thank you again Sonia! If you'd like to order your own copy, please see the link in my previous post. Hugs, Leena

Silly Halloween Joke Of The Day

2011-10-29T02:03:00.000-04:00

Q: Why did the ghost go to the plastic surgeon?

A: She wanted to get a BOO job

BIG News!

2011-10-28T11:13:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, I received a lovely note from Sonia Cardona Crouse, Owner, Publisher and Senior Editor of the beautiful magazine, "Creating Vintage Charm", requesting the inclusion of my hand-painted Halloween pumpkin for her Marketplace feature. Words cannot describe how excited and shocked I was! SHE wanted MY artwork for HER magazine? I was floored! It truly is an honor, a sincere privilege, to be included in such a wonderful publication and I am so appreciative! When Sonia told me that the issue had been published and could now be ordered online (it's not available in stores) I immediately ordered a copy! I can't wait for it to arrive!

Fall 2011 Issue

I am absolutely humbled. Starting my own business has been a long-awaited dream. Being creative and supporting my family while doing so is my true calling, my destiny and my passion. To be featured alongside such talented individuals is a blessing; an opportunity for my dream to soar into reality. I cannot thank Sonia enough for her support and encouragement! My heart is filled with gratitude.

Please consider ordering a copy of "Creating Vintage Charm". Not for me, but because it is filled with wonderful and creative articles, beautiful photographs and inspiration from so many sources. Supporting small businesses makes you feel great! You'll also enjoy Sonia's blog.

Thank you for reading! Hugs to all, Leena

Silly Halloween Joke Of The Day

2011-10-28T00:54:00.000-04:00

Q: What is a vampire's favorite decorating scheme?

"I vant to rearrange your furniture!"

A: FANG Shui!

Playing With Pictures

2011-10-26T10:10:00.000-04:00

Something I hope to have someday is an old, vintage pick-up truck, probably from the 40 or early 50's, painted PINK of course and with my shop logo on it. This would be my junking and hunting truck, so I could have more room to bring home treasures to revamp and sell. I was in Photo Bucket the other day, just playing around with a picture of said truck, and decided to try using a few tools to see how a real truck may look. What I ultimately ended up with was something that I could use as a business card if I wanted, or a flier or something to post online.

Isn't that the coolest thing? All I had to do was add text to the picture and use a transparent background! I tried to put the little cherub and moon up in the corner, but had to cut them out and frankly, I'm not that good with the mouse so it was all jagged and goofy looking. Still, I do like this and it makes me smile to look at it. What are you hoping for today? Whatever it is, I hope that if you can't completely achieve it, you get that much closer to its realization! Have a wonderful day, friends! Hugs, Leena

Lucketts Holiday Open House!

2011-10-26T09:18:00.002-04:00

It's almost here! The Lucketts Store Holiday Open House and Design House once again, promises to be fabulous! If you read about it last year, you know that you can expect gorgeous and unique decorations, furniture and home decor items, as well as festive music, fun food and friendly service! It's unlike anything else is this area and well worth a trip from out of town! Click on the button under links in the left sidebar to get more info on their blog. Here's a sample of what you'll find:

Hope to see you there! Hugs, Leena

Yay!

2011-10-20T12:14:00.000-04:00

It is a beautiful autumn day! The rain has given way to gorgeous, warm sunshine, the temperature is cool and there's a wonderful breeze blowing through my windows! The leaves have begun to change color and I can hear them rustling in the wind and the little birds are chirping away. I love days like this! They seem to give me more energy - pep in my step! I'm cleaning, doing some projects, taking care of Internet business and enjoying the day. I hope that you're having a fabulous day too! Hugs and smoochies to all! Leena

Oh Boy!

2011-10-14T07:39:00.000-04:00

~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * This is it! Today is the day! It's the big hospital RUMMAGE SALE! I love this sale and always plan on attending each year. I have found all kinds of cast-offs that I have painted, reworked, revamped and re-loved. There's everything there, from lamps, silver trays, dishes, linens, antiques, furniture, picture frames, artwork, household stuff - you name it, it is probably there! I really hope to come back with some great finds this time. I usually do. I'll report back later with all the news - wish me luck! Have a great day - hugs, Leena

~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ *

My Addiction

2011-10-09T12:28:00.000-04:00

Hello. My name is Leena and I'm a magazine-a-holic. It's true. I admit it happily. I love my magazines! Not just any old periodicals; these are Home Decorating and Gardening and Flea Marketing Magazines! They aren't just something you read while waiting at the doctor's office or in line at the grocery store. No, these are far more important than that. They are my reference materials, my text books, my entertainment, my inspiration. I have learned so much about decorating, design, gardening, period styles and architecture from these vices! They provide me with the information that I crave in order to learn as much as I possibly can about my interests. They're also useful for business as I research the latest color, style and motif trends, for my gardening hobby to discover the newest hybrid or variety of a certain plant I want to cultivate and personally? Well, I must confess, they're just so much fun to read! When I receive a new issue, I immediately flip through it, taking in all the photography. Then, I dive in head first, reading the entire thing from stem to stern, at least once. I even check out the websites listed in many of the ads, thus increasing my repertoire of resources. I collect craft instructions, new recipes and all kinds of ideas and knowledge. For example, I really impressed my family one night when, while watching Jeopardy, I knew that the top of a column is called a capital. You never know what you can gain from reading a magazine!

Some, but not all, of my favorite magazines

I do, however, have one problem and that is parting with these fun and educational printings. I know I can't keep them all, even though I did buy some nice holders to house them. So, I gather up a bunch of possible sacrifices and flip through the pages, tearing out ones of interest and placing them into page protectors for insertion into my ideas binder, recycling the remains. There are some, however, that I do not dissect. They are just so full of junky, flea markety, decorating goodness that I'd end up tearing out each page anyway. Those are the ones that make it into the special holders.

Now that I've discovered Face Book, Pinterest, Blogging and Etsy, there are even more wonderful items and ideas to look at, ponder, plan and do. There are even electronic magazines, e-zines! The wealth of reading material and eye candy now seems endless! Where am I going to find the time to read it all?

Well, now that I've cluttered the Internet airwaves with yet another blog post for you to read, I think I'll scroll down to my blog list and do a little reading myself! Have a great day, enjoy something new, learn something new, do something new and have fun! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, ~Leena~

Memories of Fall

2011-10-08T17:03:00.000-04:00

I love this time of year! Fall is when that nasty, sticky humid air finally gives way to sweet, cool breezes and crisp nights. It's a time when the landscape takes on a whole new color palette, giving us something beautiful to look at as our flowers begin to fade. Hearing the crunch of fallen leaves as they are raked or walked through almost makes me giddy. It's simple things like this that I enjoy so much and try not to take for granted. Is there nothing better than raking up a huge pile of leaves, then teaching a young child how to dive into them? Leaf fight! It's the best!

I always remember at this time of year, one of my favorite cartoons; "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!". As a kid, we always looked forward to all of the Peanuts specials, as they were truly different from other programs and were an opportunity for the entire family to sit and enjoy watching something together. Mind you, this didn't happen that often, as we only had like 4 local stations and one UHF on our old rabbit-eared television. There was no cable, no satellite, no VCR to watch rented programs on. What we had was what there was. Our TV kind of looked like this:

It was a big, ugly box. A console TV. Oh, and did I mention that it was only black and white? No color, no HD, just that grainy black and white that we'd sit so close to that our mom would tell us we were going to ruin our eyes. It was our link to the world though and we were amazed at what we could watch on it. A few years down the road, my parents bought a "portable" TV. It still weighed a ton but had wheels. I guess that justified the portable part. It was still black and white however, but we didn't know the difference. We'd never seen a color TV. Until, oh this was exciting, until the neighbors bought one! A color TV? We had no idea what that meant. I remember the whole family trooping down the street to see this new invention of technological genius. The neighbors were so proud to show it off (they loved to play "can you top this"). A hush fell over the room as they turned it on (no remote of course) and all of us kids lined up on the floor about 6 inches away from the screen. There it was, it all its glory - a color picture! A very muted, watered-down color picture, but none-the-less, it wasn't black and white any more! How could this be? Our little brains went wild trying to figure out this magical marvel. From then on, we were always invited to watch all of the Peanuts specials, including the Dolly Madison Cakes commercials, at the neighbors' house so we could have the benefit of color TV. (I don't think that they really felt sorry for us, they just liked showing off LOL)

Being the sentimental person that I am, I went out and purchased all of my favorite holiday cartoons on VHS tapes as soon as my kids were old enough to watch them and made a big deal out of the first showing. I'm not sure if they got as big a kick out of it as I did, but that's OK. Now, we have our two little grand babies to share them with. I think it's time to have a special showing!

Have a happy day! xo, Leena

Morning Smile

2011-10-07T11:57:00.001-04:00

My youngest daughter needed to take her car into the shop yesterday morning, so she asked if I would meet her there, drive her to a doctor's appointment and then loan her my car to drive to work. :::insert major hesitation grimace here::: Not to get too attached to an inanimate object, but I love my car! It's the first one I ever bought myself that was brand new right off the showroom floor (seriously, it was inside the building) and I take very good care of it. I don't like garbage inside or dirt outside. I like it to smell nice and look nice. I like it to be in one piece! Still, I agreed to let her use it (understand, her driving record is, well, a bit of a mess). She assured me she would take good care of it. So, while I was waiting for her to finish her appointment, I drove over to McD's for some oatmeal, yogurt and a bottle of water. I even bought the kid a yogurt too, I'm so nice LOL! Upon returning to the doctor's office, I noticed how pretty the surrounding area was and decided to have my breakfast al fresco. It was a bit chilly, but a beautiful day, sunshine beaming down giving so much relief from the week of heavy rains we had just experienced. There were benches positioned amongst the trees - very convenient. As I enjoyed my breakfast, I was enamoured by how beautiful the day was; how the sun dappled through the trees making interesting and intricate patterns on the ground. The crickets were still out chirping, providing pleasant background music and a band of crows lent their "caw caw" bass to the mix of other birds, who happily tweeted away. I took in a deep breath and let it out, slowly, while allowing my shoulders to drop and body relax. "This is what I need" I thought. "This is what we all need".

Since getting my business license and going full time into self employment, my world has been a whirl of activity, both physically and mentally. I am constantly thinking, day and night, which is not allowing for proper sleep time, but new ideas, questions, concerns and the like are constantly running through my head. How can I make my business a success? How can I draw more attention to my online shop? What other options for selling are there that I haven't tried yet? What should I create tomorrow? Where should I begin with all the projects I want to do and have in mind? What if this doesn't work? Yes, it's been a mix of highs and lows, of confidence and doubt, of self-assurance and nervous worry.

I think that we all experience this at some point in our lives (please tell me I'm not the only one going bonkers), whether it's related to a job, a business, our relationships, or personal growth and I hypothesize as to whether it's counter-productive or not? Is it best to be less obsessed and more passionate? Does the obsession drive us to motivation or insanity? LOL I may have already gotten to that last part! Anyway, all kidding aside, I think what we all need is to get in touch with something that makes us take that deep breath and exhale slowly, to relax, to gather our thoughts in a more organized, less frantic manner. We need to clear the clouds of doubt and negativity, whether originating from outside sources or from within ourselves. We need to work hard, but take time out to regroup and reconnect with our lives as a whole. We really do have the power to accomplish anything we put our minds to. We have the talent, the intelligence, the motivation and the drive to make things work, whatever your "thing" is. So, I'm suggesting that today, no matter what it is that you are doing, take a little time right in the middle of the chaos and find something that will cause you to breathe, to relax, to rejuvenate and reflect. It really has done wonders for my motivation today (I woke up early, organized in my thoughts and ready to go) and I hope you will benefit from it too! Have a fabulous day, friends! Hugs, ~Leena~

This says it all. Photo courtesy of julie.shelander

EtsyCouponCode - Your place to get Etsy Coupons before you Buy on Etsy.

2011-10-03T15:49:00.000-04:00

EtsyCouponCode - Your place to get Etsy Coupons before you Buy on Etsy.

It Was Only A Matter Of Time

2011-10-03T15:38:00.000-04:00

Well, it's happened. I knew it was only a matter of time, but I really didn't expect it to come this soon. Today, however, I could no longer hold it off for the chilly temps and rain got the best of me and try though I might to fight the elements, I was weakened by their fury. Yes, today I had to wear shoes. I HAD TO WEAR SHOES! With socks and everything! No flip flops! Isn't that horrible? Couldn't you just die? Phew! Thank you for listening. I just had to get that off my chest (and these shoes off my feet!). I feel better now.

Hope you're having a great day! XOXO, Leena

More Piggie Fun

2011-10-03T01:23:00.000-04:00

Tonight, we brought all the piggies out for some play pen fun and so that Mocha, who is still in his own cage, could see the babies and Sophie again. They had a great time running around, "popcorning", which is when they leap straight up into the air, and chattering away while sharing some veggie treats. I attempted to get a picture of the entire family, but I must tell you that getting 5 guinea pigs to all stand still and face the camera at the same time is more difficult than dealing with people, children even! Still, I did get a few that I wanted to share. I can't help it - they're so darned cute!

Sophie, Mocha and the three babies

Daddy Mocha and his three babies

I hope you're having an enjoyable day with your family too!
xoxo, Leena

Pink Cherub Moon Etsy Shop Coupon Code!

2011-10-01T03:33:00.001-04:00

Hi all! From now until October 31st, you can get a 10% discount on your purchase from http://www.pinkcherubmoon.etsy.com/ by using the coupon code located under my shop banner. Head on over, check things out and if you are interested in purchasing, enter the code upon check out! I'm running out of room in my workshop and need to clean house so I can bring in more great goodies for you! I'm sure there's at least one "gotta have" that you'll find =:)Thanks and have a wonderful and joyous day!! XOXO, Leena

Reloved Rubbish Give-Away!

2011-10-01T02:48:00.000-04:00

Those wonderful Loot Ladies over at Reloved Rubbish are having a give-away for an awesome 12"x12" stencil of your choice, provided by Maison de Stencils http://stencilstudio.vpweb.com/default.html

Click the link below and enter to win - I know I am!!

http://relovedrubbish.blogspot.com/2011/09/stenciled-slipcovers-for-parsons-chairs.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RelovedRubbish+%28Reloved+Rubbish%29

A Tale Of Two Piggies

2011-09-29T20:29:00.000-04:00

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Sorry, wrong story. If you follow me here or on Face Book, you know that my grandson's guinea pig, Dorothy, passed away early last spring. After a few weeks, Jamison decided that he would like another pet, so his mom, my youngest daughter, brought home an adorable 6-week old female tri-color piggie and named her Sophie.

Online research indicated that guinea pigs live happier, healthier lives when their home is shared with a companion, so my daughter and I went out looking for another girl. I picked out the cutest little baby Abyssinian and was assured she was a girl. We brought her home, introduced her to Sophie and she and newly named Mocha became instant friends. They ate together, played together, snuggled together and the grandchildren loved petting them and watching them run around.

A few weeks later, I began to question Mocha's gender, but after comparing her to Sophie and to photos on the Internet and knowing that I was guaranteed that she was a she, I figured I was just being overly cautious. I even posted a photo of "Princess Mocha" wearing Abigail's tiara!

Isn't that the cutest thing?

Fast-forward from June to August. We had the piggies playing in their little pool (makes the perfect play pen) when I noticed something "different" about Mocha. She was acting strangely around Sophie and seemed to have something wrong with her, well, how to say this delicately, um bottom side? Back to the Internet for more photo checks (I was beginning to feel like a piggie porn perv) and sure enough, Princess Mocha was indeed.....

A BOY!!! Oh, this was not good as we didn't want to breed guinea pigs; we just wanted a couple for pets. Jim and I went to the pet store and bought a large cage and all the needed equipment so that we could separate the piggies. We feared that Sophie was probably already pregnant, but we still needed to keep them apart as she could get pregnant again immediately after giving birth (can you imagine?) We studied the web sites once more and learned how to recognize a pregnant piggie from a chubby one, how to look for the babies and feel their movements and yes, we confirmed that Sophie was indeed pregnant with three babies! Exciting, but one of those "oh boy" moments.

Here's Sophie in mid-September - definitely wider than usual. We determined that there were three babies - two on one side and one on the other. Our predictions were that there would be two girls and one boy and that the first one we would encounter would be an Abyssinian like Mocha, but black with red coloring.

On the morning of September 23rd (Jim's birthday), my daughter was greeted by who else but a tiny little guinea pig baby that looked like Mocha with black and red hair! It was really exciting! There were three babies and everyone, including Momma Sophie, was doing well. We visited with the babies for a bit to take their pics and check them out for any health issues and it seems we have two girls and one boy, although our veterinarian who specializes in small and exotic animals will have to confirm.

L-R: Tri-color female, tri-color male, Abyssinian female - look how tiny and cute!!

Who wouldn't fall in love with these sweethearts?

Meanwhile, two days before the birth, Mr. Mocha made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up his manhood to prevent future offspring. He's such a trooper! Whatta guy!

The whole family got together for a very brief visit in the piggie pool last night and Sophie rushed over and kissed Mocha on the nose. They will be happy to be reunited at a future date but for now, their cages are side by side and they talk to each other through the bars. True love! Have a happy day! Hugs, Leena

Today's Smile

2011-09-23T10:36:00.000-04:00

My 4-year old grandson came tapping at my bedroom door bright and early this morning, wanting to come in so he could give me a hug and say good morning. That will keep me smiling all day! A simple gesture that means so much - share a little important thing with somebody you care about and watch yourself and them smile too!

We Shall Never Forget 9-11

2011-09-11T14:32:00.001-04:00

"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. "

For all those in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania - We Shall Never Forget!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

There's Something You Don't Hear Every Day!

2011-09-10T13:37:00.000-04:00

Jim and I are into the middle of our third weekend of taking care of our grand babies while my daughter is away. We have 2 and a half weekends left to test our sanity. Don't get me wrong; we love our lil ones and would do anything for them. They are the lights of our lives. It's just that, since they and their mother live here, we are always on "Meemaw and Geegaw" alert. Just yesterday, someone said to me, "One of the best things about grand kids is that when you get tired of playing, they go home". This, however, is not true in our case as this IS home LOL! It's great having them around though, as we get to share so much that we probably wouldn't have the chance to if they lived somewhere else, and we always know that no matter what's going on, one of those bright-eyed smiles and giggle-fests will make our day so much better!

I have noticed that when you have a 4 year old and an 18 month old in the house, you say things that "normal" people don't. I thought I'd share a few of these little gems with you. Hope they give you a chuckle!

*The baby's wearing a thong around her neck and is missing a shoe!
*Please don't barf, you'll make Geegaw throw up!
*No, you can't ride the dog like a horse.
*Because dogs are allowed to go potty outside but people aren't!
*Get your head out of there before it gets stuck!
*Can we talk some more after Meemaw's finished going potty?
*Underwear is for your bottom, not your head.
*Nobody wants to see that - put your pants back on.
*My shirt is not a Kleenex!

Do we have fun or what? Yes, we really do LOL! Have a fun day! Hugs, ~Leena

Jamison-Bottoms Up!

Abigail Rose-Pink Diva

My Brain Is Wrinkly!

2011-09-09T01:11:00.002-04:00

I learned something new today! I've made it no secret that, while I know a lot about using a computer, I do not know how to do many of the things needed to use the web. HTML is like another language to me (which I suppose it is) and so many of the applications needed to take total advantage of other programs I use are a bit of a mystery to me, but I do love learning and when I come up with an idea, I can usually figure out how to make it work. Take algebra, for example. No really, please take it, far, far, away! LOL! Anyway, I used to be able to solve the problems without using the formulas. Formulas made no sense to me; A + B = C? Those are letters, not numbers! It's bad enough that math has numbers! Don't go adding letters to it to confuse things. It drove my teacher crazy though, because he had no idea how to solve the problems without the formulas. Eventually, we agreed to disagree and I passed the class - phew!

So recently, I have been trying to figure out how to add pictures of some of the things I sell in my Etsy shop onto my shop banner. I went to a photo program and, after a little experimenting, I did it! I gave my banner a little more pizazz and, who doesn't like more pizazz? I've heard that when you learn something new, your brain grows a new wrinkle. Today, I think my brain is like a prune! I think I can even feel it growing! Guess it's true that you learn something new each day (proud smile). Isn't it funny how the smallest things can bring some of us such joy? Have a great day! ~Leena~

Banner Before Pizazz

Banner After Pizazz

Today's Smile

2011-09-08T02:34:00.000-04:00

We are finally enjoying some cooler temps now that the 100+ days of summer are, hopefully, behind us. As I said in my last post, I'm not ready for fall yet, but being able to go outside without gasping for air in the thick humidity and heat is a real blessing. I love this time of year, when I can really enjoy being outdoors and find pleasure in the cool breezes and chirps of the crickets coming through open windows. My only complaint, well, it's the rain. We've had rain for several days now and while I know other areas that could use some, my back yard is looking like a swamp and I'm beginning to wonder if some fish-headed creature may appear, like from an old horror movie. Swamp Thing, Creature From The Black Lagoon, you get the idea. Now, if that pond in the back was big enough for my ship to come in, well yeehaw baby! That'd be awesome! Even Mr. Pig proclaimed his displeasure:

Days like this are when I'm even more in love with my screened porch. I can sit outside, taking in the fresh air, and stay dry in the process. Taking a little break earlier today, the rain let up momentarily and the sun made a gallant effort to appear. During this brief respite, who did I see but my two resident hummingbirds! They hang out in the area and come to my deck feeders. I think it's the same two every year because one is real ornery and won't let the other feed. So, I hung a second feeder, thinking this would solve the problem. Nope. The little rascal tries to guard both feeders, but his companion has gotten smarter and will lead greedy Gus on a chase, then swoop in for a quick meal before he figures out where smarty pantz has gone. It's quite amusing to watch them bob and weave, chasing each other around. Despite the rain and gloomy grey, they made my day bright and happy.

Be sure to keep an open eye, even on the ickiest of days, for you never know when a little smile will enter your world! Take care and hugs, Leena

Endless Summer

2011-09-05T22:54:00.000-04:00

Happy Labor Day! Traditionally, today marks the unofficial end of summer. Those school districts that have not yet opened, will do so tomorrow. Neighborhood pools closed today, much to the displeasure of splash-happy children. Shopping malls were packed with bargain hunters, picnics were held and prices on beach and other vacation destination hotels are now being lowered. However, according to the calendar, we still have approximately three weeks of summer left, officially, and I intend to stretch that lazy, crazy, hazy summer feeling as far as I possibly can. I shall practice my annual ritual of the...

That's right, the endless summer! I shall seek out signs and customs of this wonderful season, despite the horribly hot weather most of us have endured! I shall try to get to the beach during the off-season and joyously race into the waves, even if the water is a tad chilly!

I will walk along the boardwalk and cruise up and down the main road, taking in the sights, despite some of the attractions and shops being closed.

I promise to sit, wrapped in a blanket, coiled against the cold, and watch the surfers, the original founders of the endless summer phenomenon.

I will continue to cook outside on the grill, until my oven gloves are replaced by wool mittens...

...and enjoy dining al fresco on the screened porch, watching the sun set.

Mostly, I will refuse to give up my flip flops until the temperature drops so low that I risk frost bite!

Eventually, I know that the sun will set on my summer and winter will come whether I like it or not. Gone will be baseball, the garden flowers, many of the birds I love watching, and sitting outside to get some fresh air will be a chilling experience. Until then, however, I promise you, my fellow summer lovers, that I shall cherish the sun's warmth on my skin, the fresh air billowing through the windows and embrace that perfect wave, if only in my mind and heart.

HItchhiker or World Traveler?

2011-09-02T15:07:00.000-04:00

The other day, Jim and I were out running some errands. When we stopped at the drive-through ATM to make a deposit, a grasshopper jumped onto the hood of Jim's car. I wasn't sure if he was looking to hitch a ride somewhere or if he just miscalculated the distance of his desired landing site, but there he was, standing on the hood just looking in the windshield. It was quite hot that day and since grasshoppers don't wear shoes, his little feet began to feel the burn, so he kept lifting them up, a few at a time, doing the "ow ow ouchies" dance, similar to that of folks who start out walking across the beach barefooted, only to realize that the sand is hot. Eventually, Mr. Hopper jumped onto a windshield wiper, which was much cooler. We figured that he would make his exit once the car started moving, but he held on tight, bracing himself against the wind generated by the car's motion, his little antennae wiggling in the breeze. Our little friend stayed with us all the way across town, when he departed in the smoothie parking lot. Was this his destination or was he simply tired of clinging to the wiper blade? No time to find out as he hopped away to a new adventure.

Mr. Hopper goes for a ride

It made me wonder if he would realize that he was in a new place. Would he miss his grasshopper friends at the bank? Would he regret hitching a ride with us? Do grasshoppers have actual homes? I think that he was a brave explorer, seeking new adventures and territories, boldly going where no grasshopper has gone before! OK, so maybe that's a tad carried away, but he did give me cause to think about our own wanderlust. You know, that feeling when you have no idea where you want to go but you desire different surroundings? Those times when you just "gotta get outta here" and stimulate your brain looking at another place? I get that often. I don't think that I was made to sit in one place too long. Maybe that's why I like home decorating so much. I can change the look of a room or my entire home without having to travel. Not that I don't enjoy going places - I love a good road trip! Some of the most enjoyable ones are those where there is no set agenda; you just get in the car and drive. Uncharted territory is fine by me, although it makes Jim nervous and he always thinks we're lost (see my beach post from April). Similar to the "you never know if you don't ask" philosophy, I also follow the "you never know what's around the next bend" mantra. Maybe this is a leftover from my childhood, when my parents would take us out on Sunday drives. We'd just ride along, looking at the scenery and stopping at any place that looked interesting. I didn't understand it as a child, but now I do. My mom was from a very rural area of Wyoming and I think that she missed the open plains and the hills to explore. Mom definitely had the wanderlust in her soul and I know that I take after her. Gypsies in our hearts, we two.

So, I suggest that this weekend, or whenever you have the soonest opportunity, give in to your wanderlust, take the roads less traveled, get "lost" on an adventure and seek new experiences. Remember, you never know what's around the next bend! Love ya! Leena

Fabulous Give-Away from Shabbyfufu You Won't Want To Miss!

2011-09-02T14:05:00.000-04:00

Shabbyfufu writes: Ramsign is a small Danish company that specializes in manufacturing and selling classic enamel signs (house signs and house numbers) based upon original designs and techniques. They are generously offering one of my blog readers a custom made porcelain enamel house number plaque with anywhere from one to five numbers in your choice of styles. The old signs have been gracing just about every building all over Europe for centuries and they are so charming! Yours will be made to look just like the old signs and be customized just for you.

Beautiful European Porcelain Enamel Sign Giveaway

You can follow this link or click on the button below under Special Events. This is awesome!! Have a Fufufabulous Day!! Hugs, ~Leena~

New Items Listed At Pink Cherub Moon Etsy Shop!

2011-08-29T19:03:00.000-04:00

I just listed a few new items at my Etsy shop - pinkcherubmoon.etsy.com - some great architectural pieces shaped like cathedral windows, a 1924 framed advertisement, some adorable cherub wall pockets/sconces and a set of six beautifully fragrant lavender sachets - yummy! Come on over and have a look! You can preview the items below in my mini Etsy section. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Hugs, ~Leena~

Etsy Sale!!!

2011-08-19T17:41:00.000-04:00

I have just reduced prices on many of the items listed in my etsy shop! Please stop by and feel free to shop til you drop! LOL! http://www.pinkcherubmoon.etsy.com/

Hugs, ~Leena~

Ahhh Sweet Lavender!

2011-08-19T17:18:00.000-04:00

Be sure to click on the lavender picture under Special Events below for information on Lavender Cottage Garden's fantastic World's Largest Yard Sale give-away! Really cute vintage prizes you won't want to miss! Thankies! ~Leena~

Yeehaw Baby!

2011-08-19T17:16:00.000-04:00

Click on the Petticoats on the Prairie button under Special Events below for a great blog and news about this fabulous show! Thanks!! ~Leena~

New Items Just Listed!

2011-08-16T18:58:00.000-04:00

FYI - I have just listed several items in my Etsy shop - great vintage silver plated pieces and others! Come on and take a look-see and tell your friends. The more the merrier! www.pinkcherubmoon.etsy.com
Thanks friends - you're all dolls! Hugs, ~Leena~

YIPPIEEEEE!!

2011-08-11T16:35:00.000-04:00

I just had to share the most exciting thing! I've had my first and second sales from my etsy shop this week! I am so excited!!! I sold a silver-plated champagne bucket and a wooden wine case to two very sweet people! THANK YOU BUYERS!!! I have several more silver pieces that I am polishing and getting ready to list as well as lots of other goodies so stay tuned and THANK YOU to all who believe in me and support me and share the love, hope and dreams! I'm seeing more and more traffic on my pages/sites and more Face Book "Likes" each day and I KNOW it's because so many wonderful, sweet, and dear people have been spreading the word! You ROCK!!Y'all know who you are and you're FABULOUS!!! Lovie Dovie Hugs, ~Leena~

Does Fuzz Have Legs?

2011-08-05T18:16:00.000-04:00

I was having a very exciting morning today (notice the sarcasm), folding laundry, doing laundry, hanging up laundry (I despise laundry), as well as cleaning the bathroom and kitchen and tackling more of my garage organization project. Wow, do I know how to live or what? Anyway, as I was putting Jim's shirts on hangers, I noticed a small black thing fall out of a shirt I was removing from the basket. My immediate thought was that it was a spider, then I figured no, it was probably just a piece of fuzz, no biggie. A short while later, it came to my attention that the small piece of fuzz was crawling up my bare leg! I slapped my leg and it was gone (the walking fuzz, not my leg. I didn't hit it THAT hard) so then the panic of "where did it go?" started. I ultimately decided that I must have scared it more than it scared me and it was probably on its way to the next county by then. It made me recall a similar experience that still gives me the heebie jeebies.

Several years ago, we lived in a townhouse with a deck that faced the woods. One peaceful spring morning, I was enjoying the weather on the deck, while reading my new plant encyclopedia which I had just received for my birthday. Several times, I had felt a little tingle along my upper back, but just wriggled a bit and it stopped, so I continued reading, admiring the beautiful pictures of all kinds of plants and day dreaming about creating these gorgeous, award-winning flower and plant beds in or small yard. Unbeknownst to me, it was behind me, lurking, waiting for the proper moment to launch its attack. Suddenly, without warning, I saw them; several long, hairy, icky spider legs making their way over my right shoulder. What happened next was driven by pure fear. I screamed, threw my book into the air, smacked my shoulder several times, tore off my shirt, threw it on the ground and stomped all over it, then ran into the house, where I took off my pants and stomped on them as well, checked inside my bra, just in case he was hiding out in there, all the while squirming and shrieking. Then, it struck me; what if it's in my hair? I just about beat myself senseless smacking my hair and head while my dogs did the "we have no idea what's going on but we're going to run around and panic too" dance. Finally, I was convinced that the giant attack spider was gone. I am quite serious when I say giant. I'd seen him out there before. He had a body the size of an olive! I think they're called wood spiders. Whatever its name, I "wood" have preferred him to leave me alone.

I understand that spiders are an important member of the outdoor critter squad, eating bugs that are harmful to plants and I don't have a problem with that. I just don't like them in my house or on any part of my body! Have you ever watched "Fear Factor" when they put a contestant in a glass box then cover them with all these tarantulas? The idea is that you have to stay in that box for a certain amount of time. I'd have no trouble making the time criteria because shortly after I wet myself, I'd be unconscious! "Wake her up, she won". Spiders are one of the few things that scare the bajeebas outta me, whatever those are.

So, I guess I shouldn't complain about a boring day considering that it can become really exciting in the wrong way, really quickly! Have a good one and beware of fuzz with legs! ~Leena~

Happy Birthday Sullivan and Shelter Challenge!

2011-08-01T12:40:00.000-04:00

My little buddy, Sullivan, celebrated his 15th birthday yesterday! I'm not too concerned about the turmoil of his teen years however, as Sullivan is my dog, not a human. He only thinks he's human LOL! He is my sweet cocker spaniel that we adopted 10 years ago from an organization called Oldies But Goodies (OBG) Northern Virginia Cocker Spaniel Rescue. We adopted our other big bud and his good friend, Gilbert, at the same time. Unfortunately, he passed two years ago at the age of 14. Get the names? Gilbert and Sullivan? The composers? Seems that the folks at OBG have quite a sense of humor and when they rescue a "John Doe" doggie, they give him or her a name. Often when two come in at the same time, they are given paired names. There have been Lucy and Ricky, Blondie and Dagwood, you get the idea.

Jamison and Gilbert

Gilbert was always a ham for the camera!

Sullivan was 5 when we adopted him and had been surrendered to a pound by a family who, from what we can tell, did not treat him well. He was afraid of any sudden movements or loud voices and would cower if you swung your arms around as though he thought he was going to be hit. He was scared to death of the garden hose, so badly that he would not go outside if he saw it. Obviously, he had been sprayed with a hose either for punishment or in taunting. He reportedly was a biter who didn't like his ears or tail touched, most likely because the five children he lived with pulled on both body parts. Yet, with all that he had endured, he was the sweetest, most loving little guy right from the start. He immediately attached himself to me (I'm the alpha dog of the bunch) and has been my little shadow ever since. If he's asleep and I go to leave the room, I have to wake him up and let him know, so he won't awaken and panic when he can't find me. Seriously, he will race all through the house looking for me. He obviously just wants love and we've given him plenty of that and his fears have subsided over the years. He trusts us and knows that we would never harm him. How could anyone have been so cruel to this loving, sweet, good-natured little dog?

Sullivan enjoying sitting on the glider

He even became accustomed to our little grandchildren as soon as they arrived and would check on them if they were crying as infants. Although Sullivan never learned to play with toys or humans, he will sit with the kids while they play or watch television and give them kisses. They, in return, love to hug and kiss him. He also likes the fact that they are lower to the ground and easier to sneak food away from!

Abigail sharing a snack with Sullivan

OBG takes in hundreds of dogs like Gilbert and Sullivan each year and holds adoption events and fund raisers to take care of these precious little wiggle-butts and to find them forever homes. They foster as many as possible, so that the dogs have a home to live in as opposed to a kennel. The dogs are given medical care and treatment, spayed or neutered, groomed and observed for behavior characteristics. They have a wonderful website that shows all the dogs available plus has pictures and stories of happy endings, a memorial section and a section with news and tips. They really need all the help they can get and this is where you come in. In these tough monetary times, it's still so easy to make a difference at no cost. How? Further down this page, you will see a button under events, for the Shelter Challenge. Click on it and it will take you to a page where you can vote for OBG. You can bookmark the page or request daily email reminders. You can vote once per day. The shelters can win various monetary grants by earning your votes. Please, if you will, take a little extra time during your daily online routine and vote for Oldies But Goodies. It's free, easy and makes such a huge, HUGE difference in these dog's lives.

Molly (RIP), Gilbert (RIP) and Sullivan 2001, shortly after we adopted the boys. I raised Molly from a pup.

Sullivan and I thank you so very much and wish you a wonderful and joyful day! Hugs, ~Leena~

Paint Your Wagon!

2011-07-31T01:54:00.001-04:00

I had been on the look-out for some cute little piece of junk that I could plant flowers in and add a little bit of charm to my yard. At a recent yard sale, I came across this old, bang-up wagon. It had been haphazardly painted blue and black, had a bit of rust on the inside, a large wrap of electrical tape on the handle, which I assume was holding it together, and lots of dirt. Still, it once had cuteness to it and I was sure that I could do something with it to bring it back to life. Besides, for $3, how could I go wrong? Here is the before picture:

Not exactly charming, right? No problem. I took "her" home, cleaned her up a bit, then got put my paints. I sprayed the body and hubcaps pink, my favorite soft color, and the wheels, frame and handle black. I love the way that the shiny black brought the wheels back to life! After the paint had dried and cured for a few days (this humidity kept it sticky for longer than I anticipated) she was ready for planting. I chose pink begonias, burgundy sweet potato vine, a white salvia and some tall purple flowers who's name I can't recall (I really should keep a gardening diary or at least hang onto those little plastic name tags). I had left the electrical tape in place, for fear of what I would find underneath it, but covered it up by winding wide pink ribbon over it and tying the ends in a sweet bow underneath the handle. I placed my newly completed project out front and when my grandson, Jamison, got home, he declared, "Ohhhh! It's so cute!". Mission accomplished! Here are the after pictures:

I love to put little angels peeking out from the plants

Thank you for stopping by. Hugs and Love, ~Leena~

Two Smiles For The Price Of One!

2011-07-21T19:58:00.000-04:00

If you follow my FaceBook page, you saw me complaining the other day about having to go to Wal Mart. I have nothing against the store, I just didn't really want to go. It's always hot, crowded and loud. Oh well, off I went and since I didn't have much to get, it wasn't long before I was headed for the check-out line. Walking ahead of me were two sisters. When one sister commented on how expensive everything was these days, the other replied, "Hello? Where have you been?". The first sister commented that she had no idea how their mom did it with all of them. She then said something that almost stopped me in my tracks, "I really should call and thank her for everything she did for us when we were growing up. I really don't know how she did it!". I was so touched, it made me smile. I can't imagine what my reaction to a phone call like that would be. I might faint! I sure hope that she did call her mother. The thought made me smile.

On the way home, I was passing an apartment complex when I spotted a bunch of junk sitting outside a dumpster in the parking lot. What caught my eye were some chair legs sticking up from behind a couch. I did a quick turn-around at the next parking lot and headed back to check it out. There, I found a nice dining room chair! I gave it the wiggle test and it was sturdy. I turned it over to check how the chair seat was attached - easy, a few screws and the seat would pop out for me to recover. The wood was in good shape and will take paint well. So, I snatched it up and placed it in the back of my car. I drive a small SUV and can usually take just about anything I find. You'd be surprised at what I've crammed in there. Not that this chair took up much space. So now, the chair is sitting in my office, waiting for the humidity to die down a little bit so the paint will adhere better and won't take so long to cure. I have a beautiful piece of fabric I'd like to recover the seat with and the perfect paint color to go with it - I can't wait! Finding junk always makes me smile!

So, I guess you never know where or when a smile will grace your day. I hope you get many of them, however they arrive! Hugs, ~Leena~

Today's Smile - Kids Say The Sweetest Things

2011-07-21T08:37:00.003-04:00

My little, just turned 4 years old grandson Jamison, came up to me the other day and said the sweetest thing. Out of the blue, he said, "Meemaw, you're in my heart". I was so touched! I told him that he was in my heart too and then he said, "You make my heart happy!" to which I replied, "You make my heart very happy". This continued back and forth for a little while with "very, very happy, very, very, VERY happy" and so on, until we both just stood there, giggling and hugging each other. After a bit, he scurried off to continue playing with his toys. God I Love That Kid!! He is the sweetest little one and fills each day with joy. I am truly blessed!

Hope you have a heart happy day and thank you for being here! Hugs, ~Leena~

Got Love? Pass it around. It will always come back to you!

Rockin' Robins!

2011-07-19T17:08:00.000-04:00

Several years ago, a pair of robins took to building a nest on top of the spot light that hangs above our basement door. I tried to let them know that this was not a good spot, by repeatedly removing their nesting attempts each time they would rebuild. They were relentless, however, and once I saw that they had put so much hard work into making a home for their soon to arrive family members, I didn't have the heart to take it down. I just hoped that they would be safe up there and that our dogs (we had 3 at the time) would not find any babies roaming around the yard. Baby bird time always makes me so nervous!

We always get two sets of chicks each year. I'm not sure if the mother lays two sets of eggs or if one group leaves and another takes over, but with each new resident, the nest is added on to. It keeps getting taller and taller and soon there won't be enough clearance between it and the deck above for anybody to get in or out!

Robin's nest. You can sort of see the divisions where different families have added to it

These little birds are very protective of their eggs and hatchlings, so each time we go outside, the adults sit on the fence and fuss at us. "Cheep, chirp, bip bip bip!" I have no idea what they are saying but I'm sure it would be censored. We try not to stay out too long as we really don't want to disturb them, however, every once in a while I'll tell a particularly naggy one, "I told you it wasn't a good place to raise babies but you wouldn't listen!"

The other day, I walked outside and noticed that, what were small babies just a few days prior, were sitting up in the nest looking like they were about ready to leave it! I decided to take their picture, as they were posing so nicely. Bad idea. Bad, bad idea. As soon as I raised my camera up towards the nest, the babies let out a shriek and took off! They weren't very good at flying, so they sort of air wobbled towards the ground. Meanwhile, I was looking to see where Sullivan, my dog was, so that he wouldn't notice the babies. At that moment, the entire Robin Mafia came after me! There were robins on the fence, in the trees, swooping at my head, flying back and forth, and all of them were cussing and fussing up a storm! I have no idea where the babies went: most likely, they bopped through a small hole in the fence and were in the next yard, heading towards the woods. Needless to say, I decided that it was time for Sullivan and me to go inside. I felt really badly for having caused such a ruckus, but I had no idea those little guys would take off like that. Must've scared them pretty good too, as one doodied on my hand!

I was just out a little while ago and I saw my little feathered friends, flying much better than last week, and being fed by their mother. An adult did hop up on the fence and give me the evil eye, but I didn't pay attention. With the babies gone, the yard is up for grabs once again!

Today's Smile

2011-07-12T11:59:00.000-04:00

Wear a Cheesy Grin........

It looks good on you!
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! ~Leena~

Thrifty Temptations

2011-07-08T18:50:00.028-04:00

I was out thrifting today, searching for more project inspiration, when something extraordinary happened. As I wheeled my cart of found objects around the shop, there he was, looking so elegant, so dapper. He was the semi-rugged type, not too harsh, but definitely manly, with big, dark eyes. Oh, those eyes, how they taunted me, seeming to follow me everywhere! I tried to look away, but I was caught in his spell and found myself gazing at him once more. Everything in my entire being told me to stay away, but despite my silent objections, I slowly walked closer, then closer still, until I was standing right in front of him! I cautiously looked up, fearing that if I dared to gaze into his eyes, I'd be lost forever, but again, I was drawn like a moth to a flame, and I slowly raised my head until our eyes met. A smile came across his face as he spoke. "Bonjour Madam" he said, with a French accent. A French accent! Handsome, dark, mysterious eyes, a snappy dresser and now this? A FRENCH ACCENT? How was I to resist his charms now? Fearing all was lost, I quickly gathered my composure, bid him a fond afternoon and slipped into another aisle. "What has come over me?", I queried, "Did that just happen?". However, before I could ponder the situation too much, the feeling of being watched overtook me and, as once before, I was compelled to approach the stranger. "What is it you want from me? I shrieked. "Why must you torment me so?" He then asked the question. I mean, THE question! "May I come back to your place, Ma Cher?" Shocked and gasping, my mind raced with a million thoughts. "I'm a happily married woman! How could I even consider such a thing? Jim is going to think I'm crazy if I show up with him. What would the neighbors think?" Ultimately, I just couldn't resist him any more. I lifted him up, shoved him under my arm and said, "Let's go home before I spend any more money!"

Here he is!

Isn't he just the cutest thing?

LOL! Had you going for a while, didn't I? The woman at the store said he was supposed to have a chalk board in his hands (which would explain the rather large holes in each) and she was sure she'd seen it come in, so she would check and I'm to give her a call tomorrow. Meanwhile, I took a red and white cloth napkin, folded it and shoved it (ever so gently) into each hand hole. For now, it's working and if the missing chalk board isn't found, I'll come up with something else. I seriously did walk away from him, glance back across the aisles and return to take him. Not sure what the attraction is, but he just had to be mine! Too silly!

Here he is in his new home, the corner behind my kitchen sink

Enjoy your day, no matter what "mystery" awaits! Hugs and Smoochies, ~Leena~

GRAND OPENING! Pink Cherub Moon Etsy Shop!!

2011-07-07T11:04:00.001-04:00

YIPPIE AND YEEHAW! I have finally opened my online store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkCherubMoon?ref=si_shop

After I received my business license, I spent a few months researching - small business practices, other shops, Websites for Dummies (still haven't gotten very far with that one), the latest in home decor and furnishings, what people wanted - anything that I thought would assist me in a successful business launch. I've yet to figure it all out and there are some technical things that are giving me a headache (while I do know my way around a computer pretty well, I'm no IT Guru), mainly making a banner for my shop so it doesn't look so nakey, but I am ready to roll!! I have tons and I do mean tons (you should see my workshop) of more items to list and work on, so if you're interested and I sure hope that you will be, please stop by often and see what's new. If there's anything special you are hunting for or that I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me. I love making new friends too, so tell your friends and they'll tell their friends and so on and so on (I think that was an old shampoo commercial LOL). I'll be testing the waters and diving in head-first as I go along and learn more (suggestions are always welcome) and am just tickled PINK to be realizing a dream I've held in my heart for so many years!

I now have two Face Book pages - my regular one under Leena Milligan-Lanteigne and a new business one under PinkCherubMoon. I'm hoping that I can jump between the two and keep up with everybody, so feel free to LIKE my new page and your comments and chit chat, which honestly, REALLY MAKE MY DAY, will show up on both!

A BIG, HUGE, GINORMOUS THANK YOU to all who have believed in me and given their encouragement and support. Y'all are the best!

Hope to see you soon. Hugs and Smoochies, ~Leena~

Happy Birthday, America!

2011-07-06T21:15:00.001-04:00

Hi! I hope that everybody had a wonderful Independence Day! We decided to turn the festivities into a two-night affair, celebrating both on the 3rd and 4th of July. In our area, it's an all-day, town-wide affair, with a parade in the morning, then a festival at the park with live music and food vendors, followed by a plethora of pyrotechnics, er, a really BIG fireworks show after dark. We love all of this celebration and join right in, only we also like to have our own fireworks display at home. That isn't really possible since the show doesn't allow for getting home until around 10:30. Aha! This year, my smart and charming husband Jim came up with a solution. All of our neighbors were away so we had the entire pipe stem (a shared driveway of sorts) to ourselves! As soon as darkness arrived, which, by the way, was not soon enough for Jamison who had fireworks on the brain all day, we took our arsenal and chairs outside to the middle of the drive and Jim began lighting the fuses. Ohhhhhhh! Ahhhhhh! We were having a great time and the little one's reactions were priceless, as you can see in the photo.

A few minutes later, we were joined by about 10 kids from the neighborhood. It seemed that their show was over, so they came to watch ours. This added to the fun as there were so many silly comments and behaviors. Then, one of their fathers came over with what looked like a metal pipe. He said it was a mortar and lit it. There was a big BOOM followed by a huge WHOOSH as sparks flew into the air, then another, smaller BANG as the sky ignited in a beautiful, dazzling design. It was awesome! He let off a couple more of those and Jim continued with some great fountains in gorgeous colors, then the kids all chased each other around with those little popping things that you throw on the ground. Everybody had a great time.

On the 4th, we headed over to a nearby field where the town's show could be seen. We spread out our blanket and watched a spectacular performance. Upon arriving back home, we let off a few more little fountains before eating some yummy strawberry shortcake and calling it a night. All in all, a fun-filled salute to America!

Ahhh, the Joys of Being a Kid in SUMMER!

2011-06-26T13:24:00.000-04:00

Having two young grand babies living in our home often causes me to reflect upon fond childhood memories. There are many activities that I recall as almost being sacred to summer; like traditions that no summer season was complete without. I love that I have the opportunity to share with Jamison and Abigail Rose those joys and in turn, relive them myself. I'm sure that many of you remember these from your own childhoods.

*Catching fire flies in a jar and then letting them go to create your own twinkle light show
*Letting a Popsicle drip down your arm in colorful streaks
*Jumping into the swimming pool for the very first time
*Making s'mores outside after dark
*Having the pointy bottom of your ice cream cone fall off so you have to suck the ice cream out
*Running around for so long that you get one of those cramps in your side
*Pedaling a bike so hard that it makes your thigh muscles burn
*Sitting still at night listening to chirping crickets and guessing what they're talking about
*Laying on a blanket on July 4th, staring straight up at the fireworks painting the sky with color
*Looking for constellations in the night sky or just counting the stars
*Planting flowers and tending to their needs, then being so excited at their growth
*Making chains from clover flowers to wear around your head or neck
*Yelling into a fan to hear your voice distorted
*Laughing so hard over something that your stomach and cheeks hurt
*Feeding and watching the birds
*Looking for lady bugs and telling them to fly away home
*Spotting a rainbow
*Watching the clouds turn pink while the sun sets
*Going to the beach for the first time and squealing as the waves chase your feet
*Buying ice cream from a truck and eating it outside, even if dinner is in half an hour
*Running through a sprinkler or having a water balloon battle

This list could go on and on but I think that I'm going to pick out a few that my little ones are old enough for and do them today. Even if you don't have children near you, go ahead - be a kid again! I bet you'll enjoy it and it will definitely put a nostalgic smile on your face! Enjoy and Hugs, Leena

In The Garden

2011-06-24T04:17:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to share a few pictures of what's growing in my front flower bed. I am currently working on expanding it and putting a little stone pathway along the edge and around the corner of the house to an adjoining bed, but that will be a work in progress for a while before pics can be shared. In the meantime, please enjoy these photos. Each time I see these flowers out front, they make me smile. Hope they bring a smile to your face too! Hugs, Leena

Add caption

It's Good To Be Meemaw!

2011-06-10T14:18:00.000-04:00

My little grandbaby, Abigail Rose, is 15 months old. She is such a joy and so silly (just like her brother). I have no idea what got into her last night but she wanted me to cuddle her. I know that she was getting a bit tired but usually she'll run around and play until she just can't any more and sleep takes over. While I was fixing dinner, however, she decided she wanted Meemaw Time. She toddled over and put her hands on my knees, gave me this little "eh eh" grunt she does, and I picked her up. She immediately put her sweet head on my shoulder and snuggled in, so we sat and swayed and hummed for a little while, until my cooking duties needed me. I gave her a kiss and set her back standing on the floor. This was met with a bit of a fuss, followed by her latching onto my leg. No matter where I went in the kitchen, she followed me, making her little grunting noise and as soon as I stood still, she'd wrap her arms around my leg tight until I picked her up for another snuggle cuddle. This went on for a good half an hour, back and forth, up and down as, all the while, I attempted to get dinner on the table. Each time I put her down, she'd "eh eh" at me and latch onto my leg again. It was pretty comical, actually. Mommy and Geegaw tried to distract her but it was no use. She was determined to get her Meemaw Time no matter what! You would think that it would have gotten on my nerves. Oh no, quite the opposite. I love that she and I have bonded so well, especially since I haven't spent as much time with her as I did with Jamison, providing his daycare for 18 months. Abigail goes to day care outside our home, so we don't spend those fun days together. I was afraid that we wouldn't be as close as Jamison and I are, but not to worry. She lights up when she sees me, squeals, tries to say my name and rushes over for a hug and a kiss. Sometimes she gets so excited that she waves her arms in the air, kicks her feet back and forth and just about goes bonkers, she's so excited. I never really worried about how popular I was but in this case, it's good to be Ms. Popularity! I love being their Meemaw!

Abigail Rose sharing my smoothie

A Hunk-a Hunk-a Lovin Junk!

2011-06-09T19:17:00.000-04:00

I've been an avid yard sale attendee, flea marketer and curb-shopping junk lover for many years now and during all that time, I've learned a few things. I've learned that there are days when you find anything and everything your junk-lovin' heart desires, all at great prices and you come home with a full car and a happy soul. I also know that there are days when everything you find is too expensive and more along the lines of garbage than junk. Trust me, there IS a difference between the two. I have often pondered the sanity of people who set up a table bright and early on a Saturday morning with a dozen pieces of clutter and sweat it out on a hot summer day for hours, instead of simply taking the items to one of our local charities or just throwing the garbage away. I always feel a bit guilty driving by their sale and not stopping, or stopping and after a quick look, walking away. I'm always polite and offer up a "have a good day" but I still can't help but feel like I have been cast into the role of Yard Sale Gawker. Definition: noun, a person who drives or walks by a yard sale, flea market table or other such sales venue, quickly scans the goods and walks away without purchasing, thus unintentionally snubbing the wares and seller. I really don't like to be a gawker, especially when the sellers are waving and calling out what they have for sale as I drive away, looking straight ahead, as if I don't see them. Oh, such shame I've felt!

There was a particular sale, however, where gawking was the least of my worries. My dear friend Judy and I used to spend the entire day driving all over, looking for treasures. If there was a yard sale, church bazarre, flea market or any other bargain lover's haunt, we'd point the car in that direction. We'd drive and laugh and sing and carry on and have a glorious time! We pulled into a sale one year and after looking around for a bit, Judy let out a squeal, then muffled a giggle. She'd found "the item"; the one that yard sale folk lore is made of. The one about which great tales would be told for generations to come. She'd found.... a used toilet scrubbing brush for only 25 cents! Now, I know that this is a real time-saving device and a true bargain, but, well, ick! I could barely contain my own giggling as I encouraged her to get back into the car before we totally embarrassed ourselves and hurt the seller's feelings. Yes, that was such a good time!

This spring, we had a lot of rain, which really cut down on the amount of sales in the area. After a few disappointing weeks, I had some great outings and was asked by a few folks to post pictures of my "mother load". While I haven't photographed everything yet, here are some samples:

What a haul! Great old bottles, French wine box, tin water pitcher, white jewelry box and wall pocket and a HUGE selection of antique silver flatware from the 1930's! Be still my heart!

Another great sale - silver trays, old duck decoys, silver champagne bucket, old print and frames, sweet cherub (staying with me-can't part with this one)

BIG FIND! Antique chair with green velvet upholstery and carved details including roses - LOVE IT!

Many of these items are in the process of being cleaned up, upcycled, revamped and refurbished prior to my Grand Opening of Pink Cherub Moon online shop later this month. A few, however, like the chair, will be staying with me. Every once in a while, I just fall in love with something and, at least for the time being, treat myself. Not to worry - there are plenty of other great finds just waiting for a new home!
Stay tuned for news about my opening and thank you so much for reading and following. Blogger friends are the best!! Have a good one! ~Leena~

Funky Junk Sisters!

2011-06-08T19:21:00.001-04:00

My favorite junk junkies are closing in on 7,000 fans! Click the Funky Junk Sisters logo below and join the fun - you'll be happy happy joy joy that you did!!

YUMMY!

2011-05-29T18:36:00.000-04:00

FYI - Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Cake recipe just posted under Food and Fun page! ENJOY!!

It Takes Two

2011-05-29T15:45:00.000-04:00

Today is my birthday. It's also my sister's birthday. No, we aren't twins. We were born two years apart. Today would also be our two great-aunts' birthdays. They weren't twins either. Here's the part that I find really cool - We are born under the sign of Gemini, the twins, aka 2. My 2 great-aunts were born 2 years apart, 2 generations before my sister and I were born (2 of us) and we are 4 years apart (4 being a multiple of 2) and there are 4 of us in total born on the 29th (again, 4 being a multiple of 2). Isn't that the weirdest thing? I always thought it was really neat, quirky, but neat!

So, Happy Birthday to my sister, Laurie Ann and to our Great Aunts Anna & Lucy!

TODAY'S SMILE

2011-05-25T10:15:00.001-04:00

Having grandchildren in our home has reminded and taught me many things. It's reminded me of what it is like to hold a precious little life in my arms while feeling nothing but contentment. It's also reminded me of getting up during the night to feed and diaper that precious little bundle while half asleep, but the follow-up to that is a peaceful, soothing sit in the rocking chair, humming quietly as the angel babe drifts back to sleep. I have also been reminded of what it is like to step on a small toy barefoot (ouchies!), to find a half-eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwich clinging to the underside of a chair cushion or a cookie with a bite taken out of it returned to its box. During the day, I recall how bouquets of weeds are beautiful when picked and presented with unconditional love, while every night, I am reminded of those sloppy little nitey nite kisses that fill my heart with joy.

I have been totally re-educated and have learned so much, looking at the world through a child's eyes. I have learned to notice things as if for the first time, with excitement and joy; to really observe an item, such as a butterfly, with all its glorious colors, its dance-like fluttering and its unique pattern, instead of just seeing it fly by. I have learned that the sound of the rain on the roof can be intriguing if I listen closely enough to depict individual drops. I have been taught that firetrucks are fascinating, that birds, rabbits and other backyard visitors can be imagined to be playmates and that something as simple as a bug can be studied for hours. Bacon smells much better than the dog's food, baseball must be watched while yelling "big hit! big hit!", shirts and pants don't always have to match and shoes will actually fit on the wrong feet.

While taking our walks around the neighborhood, I discovered many of these things when explaining what they were to an inquisitive Jamison. Then, something magical happened. It was as if all of my senses suddenly became alive again. I began to pay attention, to really notice the sights, sounds and smells of the world around me. I explained in great detail, all I was observing to him and he in turn now shares much of that knowledge with his little sister. Our surroundings now have more meaning, hold more mystery and make our days that much more enjoyable.

This is something we can all benefit from, whether we have a little one to share it with or not. Walk around your area. Take note of all that is going on. Literally stop to smell the roses, watch a bug cross the sidewalk, admire a bird's free-form flight across the blue sky, take in the aroma of a neighbor's bar-b-que, listen to the whir of a lawn mower in the distance or the giggling of children as they rush by on their bikes. I guarantee you will notice things within the familiar that you have never paid attention to before and your world will take on a whole new level of enjoyment and serenity. Find peace in the day's joys for they are all around us. We only have to give them the attention they deserve. Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by! Hugs, Leena

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE!

2011-05-21T18:51:00.000-04:00

After days of rummaging through the house, unearthing and unpacking forgotten treasures and making those "oh so difficult" decisions over what to part with, today was the day it all came together - our neighborhood yard sale! I was up early, very early. In fact, I'm kind of wondering why, after a 5:30am rising time, dragging everything out and setting up, standing out in the sun for 7 hours and putting the leftovers away, I'm still awake and haven't made it to napland? It's simple; I promised folks that I would post pictures and let them know how the sale went!

We did pretty well, despite the HUGE amount of competition in our town. It seems as though every neighborhood waited until today to have their sale! To make things more difficult, our association didn't run an ad in the paper like the others did. So, being the resourceful people that we are, we put out signs, listed items on Craig's List and brought in a pretty good crowd. My daughter bought bright, neon-colored poster board and made signs for the front and back of her car, then parked it up on the main road. Another sign went on my car right at the front of our street. BIG arrows guided bargain hunters to our location, which was very helpful since we are at the back of the community.

The weather was perfect! After so much rain, we had bright sunshine and very warm temps (in the 80's) which, while I would have liked it a little cooler, made for a great day to be outdoors! I had to attend to customers, however, and ignore the weeds I kept seeing since I was outside for so long. It seems that they are both flood and drought tolerant so I can always count on them being there until I yank their nasty little selves out of my flower beds. To guard against the sun, I wore my big straw hat which I purchased during our recent trip to the beach. I also had my trusty sunglasses and bib apron with deep pockets for money, tape, pens, etc. I may look like a goober, but I was shaded and prepared! LOL

Not exactly what you would call a yard sale fashionista, but the purpose was served - LOL!

We had quite an assortment of wares to offer - baby clothes and goods, old oil paintings from my aunt's collection, quilts, antique embroidered linens, wall sconces, craft supplies, fabric, my daughter's doll collection from countries around the world, a ceiling fan we never took out of the box, framed cross-stitch pieces, dishes - all manner of stuff.

I didn't get a picture of the entire set before a neighbor snatched part of it up and headed for home with it

I sold a white wicker patio set made up of two chairs and a settee, two of the oil paintings, an antique child's chair with a cane seat and back (I loved that piece!) and other assorted goodies. My daughter sold a lot of baby girl clothes for the tiniest little 9 week old baby girl, along with some toys and video games. We both made slightly under $100; not as much as we would have liked to make, but we cleared out some of the house and put aside a lot of the leftovers for charity, so it was a good day.

Jim and I found time to sneak off and tour the neighborhood sales (I think he was afraid that I would go into withdrawal if I didn't go to any sales today) and I bought a really cool bench, a stool to decorate and two gorgeous candle sconces. They're still in his car as I write this, so I'll have to post pics of them a little later on. Our grandson, Jamison, got a world globe that "Geegaw" bought for him and enjoyed the day playing up and down our pipe stem with the other kids, while my trusty yard sale diva was at my side. Abigail is very good at convincing people that her cuteness means they should spend more money

We plan to have another sale in the fall, when I'll drag out the leftovers along with holiday decorations from our way over-sized collection of Halloween and Christmas items. For now, I'm loving how purging some items always makes me feel liberated and my house renewed. Looking forward to next weekend's sales! Thanks for stopping by and, happy sales, to you, until we meet again! Love ya! ~Leena~

Today's Smile

2011-05-16T23:50:00.000-04:00

This makes me laugh my head off every time I look at it. Hope it gives you a good giggle and smile too - I actually had some cow slippers much like these - LOL! Enjoy! Hugs, Leena =:)

Commoners? I Think Not!

2011-05-14T20:22:00.000-04:00

Introducing King Jamison and Queen Abigail Rose, wearing their official and oh so royal Burger King crowns. Who says the Royal Family gets all the attention? LOL!

Meemaw brag moment - can't help myself!

Serene Setting

2011-05-12T12:28:00.000-04:00

This picture was taken outside a restaurant where Jim and I had dinner recently. The scenery is so beautiful and peaceful, that I just had to share it with everyone. It's one of those pictures that inspires day dreams which, for me, inspires creativity. Have a wonderful day! Love ya, Leena

Today's Smile

2011-05-11T12:46:00.000-04:00

o/~Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so~\o.

I have no idea why this little song popped into my head this morning. Maybe because we all need a little reminder now and then. Have a wonderful day!

Sunshine on my Shoulders Make Me HAPPY!

2011-05-05T12:48:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning to the most glorious sight - the sun! It wasn't just barely there, peeking out from behind a cloud, it was out, in full force, shining brightly! After so many rainy and cloudy days, it was definitely a welcomed surprise. The sky is a beautiful shade of blue with not a cloud to be seen. Jamison, Sullivan and I have already been out hunting for more "helicopters" and enjoying the morning.

So, what shall I do today? Well, there's my HUGE home decorating and gardening magazine collection that I started organizing the other day. I have way too many and they were beginning to take over my bedroom, so I've put them in their own cute little holders, separated by title. The most recent issues will still be allowed to sit in a basket at my bedside, until I need to corral them. I have resisted the urge to flip through the older issues as I know that will send me into a "I have to do a project now!" frenzy and I really need to concentrate on my spring cleaning and organizing. When it comes to the beautiful pages of decorating, creating and gardening, I am so easily distracted. It's not a bad thing, just not always a timely one.

I also need to straighten out the garage. During the winter months, it seems that many items were just tossed in there and, while there is still the obligatory room for my car (I insist upon having room for it in there) it's getting tighter and tighter. I'm in one of my "get it out of here" moods, so many things will be donated or tossed, depending upon their condition. Take, for example, the Christmas deer that no longer light up. They were spared during one of my sentimental "but they're so cute" moods. Sorry; deer season is now officially open! There's also several cans of house paint with "just enough left in case I need to do a touch-up". Trust me; should I decide to paint any portion of any wall, I'm changing colors. We've been living in an almost completely white house for several years now and I need color! It's funny that, when I see it in magazines or anothers home, I love it - all white paint and furniture, but the white walls in my own home just don't suit my personality. Yes, I am a sentimental romantic who loves old, shabby items, but I'm a bit too, hmmm, eclectic perhaps? to live in an all white house. So, the paint cans will be headed over to the hazardous waste disposal. That will clear off enough shelf space for some of the out-grown baby items and believe me, I will be overjoyed to get the infant car seats off of my dining room table! I am a very devoted Meemaw but enough is enough! Little people sure do have a lot of stuff, don't they?

Add to the list the laundry, cleaning up of the kitchen, running the vacuum and, my favorite - mowing the lawn! At least it will give me an excuse to be outside in the sunshine, right? I may even sneak some time in to hit the nursery for a few pretty flowers for my porch pots, now that I think we are clear of any frost :::keeping fingers crossed:::

So, I guess I've "listed" myself into a pretty busy day, and better get a move on my mom would've said. I hope that you enjoy your day, whatever it brings, and that if the sun isn't shining in your area, some happy moment will place a little sun in your heart. Love ya! ~Leena~

Simple Pleasures, Big Smiles

2011-05-04T19:48:00.002-04:00

We finally had a break in the weather yesterday, with the rain holding off until evening. My daughter had to take Abigail to an appointment, so that left Jamison and me with some time together. We love spending time with each other. He's my little buddy and we bonded very strongly when he was a baby and I provided his day (and sometimes night) care for his first 18 months. Even once he started attending a commercial day care, he was still always excited to see me and would yell, "Meemaw! My Meemaw!" Too cute!

He wanted to use my binoculars, so I took him out to the screened porch to look for birds. We filled the feeders to entice them to come visit and waited patiently for their arrival. Jamison was fascinated with the way the binoculars made everything look so much bigger and spied on the neighbors' flowers, a truck and a few birds in the trees, but none came onto the deck. I then showed him how those little seed pods that fall all over the place, spin when you drop them and that I call them helicopters. He had a blast, collecting them from the deck and dropping them over the edge, then imitating how they spun. We "decorated" the porch with his big sidewalk chalk (thankfully it washes right off) and arranged my sea shells into an old basket, before getting out the giant bubble wand. Jamison loves blowing bubbles and he laughs and squeals while chasing them around. We had many important conversations, sang a few silly songs and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly!

Sea Shells and Cherub in old basket

Jamison watching the bubbles float by

Jamison blowing bubbles

It really doesn't take much to brighten a day. Sometimes, the simplest of things can have the most meaning, and sharing them with a loved one makes them extra special. I'm looking forward to our next outing, as soon as it stops raining again! Have a joyful day! ~Leena~

FYI

2011-05-01T16:22:00.000-04:00

Just to let you know, I am without a computer right now and won't be able to post until I get one back (hopefully by end of next week) Right now, I'm at the library using their computer. It works for making contact, but just isn't the same and they give you a time limit - sheesh! Hope all are well and enjoying some nice spring weather - see you soon! Love, Leena