Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

to you and your family!

~ Julie

A guest post

Today I am guest posting over

at 

Hope Filled Living.

You can check out my post here.

If you want to meet some new people 

and read about some Christmas traditions, 

head over there and check them out.

Mary has had several different 

guest posts talking about 

Christmas traditions.
In my post, I've included the link
to my wreath tutorial,
if you want to make your own this year.
 

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm in busy mode pricing and packing

our items for the McMenamins Junk Fest

THIS SATURDAY

and will post pics soon.

I'm excited to set up all of our 

vintage treasures.

If you make it to the show,

make sure you stop by and say hi.
 

Thanks,

~ Julie

Do you have a sheltering tree?

  

Today I'm sharing

a devotional I read last week

by Charles Swindoll at

Crosswalk.com 
{my morning stop if I'm not

involved in a Kay Arthur Bible study}.

Crosswalk.com is a great Bible resource.

If you're a busy mom and can't sit down for

a Bible study, they have a selection of 

quick devotions to help you start your day

with God.

Sheltering Tree

by Charles R. Swindoll

Read 2 Samuel 15:1–18
The poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge once described friendship as "a sheltering tree." What a beautiful description of that special relationship. As I read those words, I think of my friends as great, leafy trees, who spread themselves over me, providing shade from the sun, whose presence is a stand against the blast of winter's lonely winds. A great, sheltering tree; that's a friend.

David was leaving the great city of Zion—the city named after him, the City of David. As he came to the edge, at the last house, he stopped and looked back over that golden metropolis he had watched God build over the past years. His heart must have been broken as he stood there looking back, his mind flooded with memories. All around him the people of his household scurried past, leading beasts of burden piled high with belongings, running for their lives.

He was at the last house, and he needed a tree to lean on. Somebody who would say, "David, I'm here with you. I don't have all the answers, but, man, I can assure you of this, my heart goes out to you." When the chips are down and there's nobody to affirm you and you run out of armor and you have no reputation to cling to, and all the lights are going out, and the crowd is following another voice, it's amazing how God sends a sheltering tree.

All of us need at least one person with whom we can be open and honest; all of us need at least one person who offers us the shelter of support and encouragement and, yes, even hard truths and confrontation. Sheltering trees, all!

Thankfully, David had a grove of such trees. As a result he made it through the toughest and loneliest hours of his life.

Do you? If so, it is a good time to call them up and thank them for their shelter. If not, it's a good time to get a shovel and plant a few. You'll need every one.

Just ask David.

Have a great weekend!

~ Julie 

A Blog Anniversary Giveaway!!!

Thanks so much for sharing your lives 

with me and so many others.

You have shared your joys and sorrows,

your prayers and prayer requests.

You have welcomed us into your home,

and wowed us with your latest 

decorating accomplishments,
sewing projects,
latest finds,

tutorials,
recipes,
gardens,
tablescapes,

metamorphosis,

before and afters,
and invited us to your parties . . .
so many parties!
frugal to fabulous,

whites and pinks,

tea cups and tea things,

furniture to laundry,

vintage thingies to anything related

from table top to under the table

feathering your nest to strut your stuff
blue Monday to silver Sunday

wordless to mosaics

stuff and nonsense to thrifty treasures
vintage and French inspirations
time travel and show and tell.

It has been a wonderful year, 

and I look forward to getting to know more of you.

I wish I could follow you all

and keep up with all of your wonderful posts,

but that is impossible since there are so many of you, 

but I will visit whenever I can.

Keep writing, blogging and sharing.

We are a link of encouragement to 

women around the world.

 You are loved and appreciated.

Come visit me when you can,

but time with family is most important.

Now, on to

A VINTAGE ROSE GIVEAWAY!

Over 25 items included!

sharing love with a vintage jello mold
filled with hearts punched from a French Book
~ Amour ~ some stamped with roses,

a vintage dictionary page bundle for your
art projects and a tarnished spoon and
butter knife for your tea and scone
at your next blog tea party,

two vintage hankies with roses,
 

3 different tattered rose fabric ribbons on
a rose stamped manila tag and
 a repurposed, shabby white painted wood spool
photo holder, with more tattered fabric ribbon, 
to hold your favorite picture,

a vintage wood hanger, stamped #P-4995
{don't know what that means, 
it came that way and it looks cool}
a pretty vintage mini crochet handbag lavender sachet,
some new vintage white and pink buttons,
and a vintage package of white bias tape,

a pair of white vintage ladies' gloves,

2 sheets of rolled 1937 sheet music,
a Victorian girl picture in an ornate gold metal frame,

AND

 a

$20 GIFT CERTIFICATE

to my etsy shop

all packed in a vintage lace and roses burlap bag!

How to Enter:

1) leave a comment on this post

2) for a second chance, spread the news 

and do a post about the giveaway

or add the first pic to your side bar with a link
and leave a separate comment letting me know

You have until midnight June 27th to enter.

Thanks so much for entering! 

I look forward to sending these treasures to you!

Good Luck!

~ Julie

Linking today with:

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/06/inspiration-friday-party-no-18-and.html
http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2011/06/fridays-unfolded-20-and-announcement.html 
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/06/pink-saturday-june-4-2011.html 

Happy Mother's Day!

A mother's love has no bounds.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

~ Julie

Beautiful image from The Graphic's Fairy.

Sunday Devotional ~ The Summer Will Come

The Summer Will Come

"Therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you" (Isa. 30:18).

Where showers fall most, there the grass is greenest. I suppose the fogs and mists of Ireland make it "the Emerald Isle"; and whenever you find great fogs of trouble, and mists of sorrow, you always find emerald green hearts; full of the beautiful verdure of the comfort and love of God. O Christian, do not thou be saying, "Where are the swallows gone? They are gone; they are dead." They are not dead; they have skimmed the purple sea, and gone to a far-off land; but they will be back again by and by. Child of God, say not the flowers are dead; say not the winter has killed them, and they are gone. Ah, no! though winter hath coated them with the ermine of its snow; they will put up their heads again, and will be alive very soon. Say not, child of God, that the sun is quenched, because the cloud hath hidden it. Ah, no; he is behind there, brewing summer for thee; for when he cometh out again, he will have made the clouds fit to drop in April showers, all of them mothers of the sweet May flowers. And oh! above all, when thy God hides His face, say not that He hath forgotten thee. He is but tarrying a little while to make thee love Him better; and when He cometh, thou shalt have joy in the Lord, and shalt rejoice with joy unspeakable. Waiting exercises our grace; waiting tries our faith; therefore, wait on in hope; for though the promise tarry, it can never come too late.
--C. H. Spurgeon

***

"Oh, every year hath its winter,
And every year hath its rain--
But a day is always coming
When the birds go north again.

"When new leaves swell in the forest,
And grass springs green on the plain,
And alders' veins turn crimson--
And the birds go north again.

"Oh, every heart hath its sorrow,
And every heart hath its pain--
But a day is always coming
When the birds go north again.

"'Tis the sweetest thing to remember,
If courage be on the wane,
When the cold, dark days are over--
Why, the birds go north again."

                                                ~ Devotional from Streams in the Desert

by L.B. Cowman

April 10

http://www.crosswalk.com/

Enjoy your day of rest . . . it's Sunday!

~ Julie

Inspiration . . . . . A Worthy List

A list of simple pleasures to bring joy to you or someone else today.

 

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Write a love letter.

Share a treasure.

Encourage someone with a kind word.

Keep a promise.

Give to a needy cause.

Forgive an enemy.

Listen.

Apologize if you were wrong.

Try to understand.

Read your Bible.

Pray for your family.

Examine your demands on others.

Appreciate a friend.

Be kind, be gentle.

Laugh a little.

Laugh a little more.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. —Colossians 3:17


from Crossroads newsletter of the First Christian Church; June 11, 1978
crosswalk.com daily devotional by Jim Burns March 14, 2011

 Whenever I'm on a break from a Kay Arthur's Bible study, I start my day

with a cup of coffee and a devotional from crosswalk.com

[God has asked me to put Him first everyday . . . . . 
not my blog, not my business,  my home, my hobbies,  laundry . . . . .]

If you have a busy day . . . cooking, cleaning, school, diapers, soccer games, work, 
errands, appointments, . . . take a few minutes and start your day with 
the One who created the heavens and the earth and all that is within them,  
who causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust,  
a rewarder of those who seek Him, the One who sustains you, 
knows your coming and going, saves your every tear in a bottle, and 
knows the number of hairs on your head. He is waiting for you.

Wishing you joy and love today.

~ Julie 


Keep Japan in your prayers.

 Bible from my husband's mother.

A favorite teacup inherited from his grandmother.

Linking with:

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/03/inspiration-friday-party-no7.html
http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2011/03/celebrate-spring-with-tea-time-tuesday.html  
http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/2011/03/74th-tuesday-tea-for-two-st-patricks.html 

A New Online Magazine . . . Whimsical Musings Magazine

Today is the launch party of a wonderful, new online artist magazine . . . Whimsicalmusingsmagazine ~ A weekly magazine blog for those who enjoy art, repurposing, and decorating.

Created by Cindy at Cindy Adkins Whimsical Musings, this new weekly online magazine will feature professional guest artists each Monday. There's a giveaway too, so make sure you visit and leave a comment.

Here's the link and the button if you would like to add it to your blog.

I've never considered myself a 'real' artist; I love crafting and interior design and do cake decorating, but I've come to realize we all have an artist inside of us. We're all creative in our own way.  Maybe it's the way you display your pillows, make your bed, put together an outfit, sew, knit or crochet. Meeting other artists is a great way to be inspired and challenged to use your creative side. Maybe there's something you're thinking about doing, making, cooking, baking. It's the way you do things; different than anyone else, that make you your own unique artist. Get in touch with your artistic side and set aside time to make something new, or better. Come and be inspired.

I am constantly inspired by others.

Have a great week!

~ Julie

Giving Thanks

Last week I read this devotional on Crosswalk.com, The Attitude of Gratitude 
By Skip Heitzig, and thought I would share it with you today. 

When our pilgrim forefathers came to this country, what they were up against was far worse than anything we face now. The first year, over half of their band of 110 died. Our pilgrim fathers dug seven times more graves for the dead than they built huts for the living. And yet during that same period is when they decided to carve out a day where they could say, "Thank you, Lord, for all of your benefits." One of their leaders, Edward Winslow, wrote of that first Thanksgiving in the fall of 1621: "And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving in 1863, in the middle of a terrible civil war. He said the country's blessings were due to the "ever watchful providence of Almighty God... No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy." And he asked for the "Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it."

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul gives a series of short little commands like "rejoice always," and "pray without ceasing." In verse 18 he says, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I am thankful for much, especially our family and friends, an amazing husband, two wonderful daughters, two great "sons" and a precious baby granddaughter!

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family and friends.

~ Julie

 

Remember to come back Wednesday and sign up for a wonderful "White Christmas Giveaway"

P.S. It's been snowing here, so we may have a white Thanksgiving! I love snow!

It's a Beautiful Monday Morning

Brrrrr . . . 

It's cold here this morning. 

Our first frost. 

The gazebo is covered with a sparkly white frosting.

I think I caught the morning blue in the sky {which I discovered from another blogger ~ that just before sunrise and sunset, the sky is a beautiful shade of blue}.

 

And the sunrise making the clouds a pretty pink.

And

Ice in the bird bath . . . 

Sorry, birdies, no bath until later.

Blogging has changed my life . . . 

. . . . . I'm a photographer?? I carry my new (slightly used from my daughter and son-in-law) Nikon D40 camera everywhere. I love capturing moments in time on film digital. I stroll through the gardens looking for each flower's moment of glory, clicking away. My hubby couldn't figure out why his work camera was taking so long to download . . . Oh, I borrowed it before I got the Nikon :) . . . only a few hundred pics. I'm learning not to use a flash indoors and discovering new ways to take pics; waiting for daylight and finding the best light in the house, photo cropping and editing.

. . . . . My daughter and I can share our favorite blogs and inspiration, and, of course, those giveaways {we really want to win that stay in France . . . next to a castle!}.  And now we also share a love of thrifting, although she's looking for clothes, and I'm looking for vintage treasures.

. . . . . I am constantly inspired by all of you talented women in blogland and how much you get accomplished {sometimes I am a procrastinator on projects}.  Over the past six months, I have reupholstered a table and several chair pads, wrote three tutorials, made chair slip covers and pillows, setup tablescapes, cleaned about a hundred vintage linens, made a sheet music wreath and fall wreaths, finished redecorating and organizing our mudroom, finished the wood trim in a bathroom, reorganized the kitchen, started an antique and vintage resale business, and this month, I'm opening an etsy store. 

Giving thanks to you who continue to share your ideas and talents, inspiring us to get things done, beautify our homes, enjoy our gardens, pray, read the Bible, cherish family and friends, and enjoy each day.

I hope I can inspire you to do the same.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!

~ Julie


Today I'm linking with Blue Monday
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/2010/10/blue-monday-alligator.html

Wedding bliss . . .

 I am happy to be linking this to 

Angelic Accents 2nd annual Wedding Blog Party.

Check out more beautiful wedding posts here.

Who doesn't love a wedding?

In honor of our 32nd wedding anniversary yesterday,
I'm sharing some family wedding pics . . .

 My husband's grandparent's wedding day; 
we don't know what year, 
but it is one of my favorite wedding pics. 
It is framed and displayed in our living room.

No pics of my parents' wedding day; they eloped,
but they have been married for 52 years.

 

Our youngest daughter's wedding day, 
September 26, 2009

Our oldest daughter's wedding day, 
November 7, 2009


and . . .  

Our wedding day, July 28, 1978

[white tuxes really were in style :)]

I take thee as my wedded husband,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better or for worse,

for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish,
'til death do us part.

Thanks for visiting our weddings. 

We are still best friends 
and thankful for our 32 years together. 

~ Julie