Merry Christmas!

Last summer I found the greatest collection of vintage Christmas cards, each with a handwritten note and real signatures.

The images and fonts immediately pulled me to a time before cell phones, e-mail, texting and Facebook; a time when communication was intentional and took thought and effort, although we didn't realize it.

Don't get me wrong, I love keeping up with everyone through social media, but it doesn't require much effort or interaction on my part. It's more of an observation of others, rather than an interaction with others.

I'm making an early New Year's Resolution to be more deliberate in my communication with family and friends. Anyone want to join me?

I hope you enjoy these Christmas wishes from the past...

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ours started early and ended late and was the best ever! It was simple and full of family. Perfect.

This picture was taken earlier in the month while visiting Mark's parents in Colorado.

A blustery... snowy... silent... walk... alone... not something that a Texas girl gets to do very often and, boy, did I soak it up!


Now, it's time to decorate for Christmas!

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

My dad called one morning this week and said, "Hey Girl, wanna go on an adventure?"
Well, with him, that could be a loaded question leading in all directions.
My response was, "Maybe. What kind of adventure are we talking about?"
"A treasure hunt!"

What little girl didn't dream of being a princess or the queen herself? Be honest. These vintage crowns and jewels will make you want to play dress up, now, regardless of your age.

Earlier this week, as I was reading, I found the scripture below and instantly thought about my friend BAM, who loves clouds. I had intended all day to send her a note and share it with her. Well, you know how days go, I got wrapped up in my "to do" list and it slipped my mind. Later that evening as I was driving home from running a few errands, this is what I encountered! Amazing, huh?! God's plans are so much better (and bigger) than mine!! Glory to God!


Look for God all around you. He is there!

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 NLT

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

Just a note: The photo is unfiltered and Building 429 has a great song, "We Won't Be Shaken", you should check it out!

Aside from all the great treasures (vintage stuff) that can be found at an estate sale, I love peering into the lives of other people (the real treasures), especially the older generations, because they tended to keep everything which provides glimpses of what their lives were like. I recently visited a sale in a neighboring town that was full of treasures. Here are a few of things that caught my eye.


This little tea pot had been broken several times and glued back together. There was an old piece of tape on the bottom with a handwritten note that read, "Mother gave this to me the day I got married. She earned it selling Avon." How precious!

A few days ago I shared my trip to the produce stand and here's what became of the mini pumpkins I brought home.

Okay, I know it's not October yet, but I couldn't wait any longer. The mornings have been cooler here, and with the nip of fall in the air, I just had to go see if the pumpkins and gourds were out yet! So I made a trip to the produce stand.

Sometimes the view is just so pretty a person has to stop in the middle of the road and take a picture.



Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

Hi there!

I have the greatest find to share with you... a 1970's Yellow Schwinn.

Shine on!

Here's a Heart Rock for Pocket:
May those who love the Lord Shine as the sun!
Judges 5:31

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

When I was a young girl, my sisters and I desperately wanted to go to Six Flags. Our dad told us that if we could earn enough money to go, he would take us. That's when my obsession with Coke bottles began.

One of my favorite things to do when visiting a city, aside from eating all the great food, is to go exploring. Of course I have to visit all the tourist spots, but what I enjoy even more is getting off the beaten path and visiting the neighborhoods to see how others live... getting a sneak peek into their world... a look at their homes, yards, gardens...

The rate at which a bird's nest is built, eggs hatch, and baby birds develop and leave the nest is astonishing. Nothing short of a miracle. Take as look for yourself...

Last week I shared the decorations for my parents 50th wedding anniversary, using a collection of succulents. This week I want to show you how I made a few "switch-ups" to create a completely different style party for my 90 year old grandfather's birthday.

My first nest of the summer...


It's a Cardinal, nesting in the Privet right next to my back door. I can see it as I walk down the back steps. Makes my heart happy.

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and song; He is my salvation. 
Isaiah 12:2

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

We have two very important milestone events in our family this week. My parents have their 50th wedding anniversary and my grandfather turns 90 years old. Both are cause for celebration, so let the parties begin!

After living in the city for so many years and returning to the country, I so enjoyed the thick, dense woods that were directly in front of our home. The sound of the wind in the trees and coolness of the dense shade were part of being at home.... until the owner of the property had the land clear cut. I was heart sick. My beautiful woods looked like a war zone for the next few years, but healing has come with time and the woods are being restored. Nature is a reflection of our God who created it. His steady hand is always at work...restoring.


Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul... Psalm 23:1-3

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

Someone recently asked me for decorating ideas using vintage suitcases. I do have a few scattered around the house so I thought I would share my ideas to inspire your own. The cases I have are each small and have served different purposes through the years.


This one was actually given to my son when he was small and he used to cart his hot wheels around in it. It's a little tattered, but I still love it and I love that big fat Bakelite handle.

We have had an unusual amount of rainfall over the last few weeks and it is springing forth new life. I'm talking about mushrooms! They are popping up everywhere and I do mean popping up. Take a look at this little guy.

It's always fun to re-purpose items in unexpected ways and it makes our homes more interesting.


I recently found an old dresser that was damaged, but the drawers were still in great condition. They are solid wood with an unusual metal handle and just the right amount of patina.

I watched this "big boy" as he hit the jackpot, when he found the Buckeyes blooming. They have loads of flowers and he gorged himself on God's provision. What a good day for him!

I would venture to say that just about everybody has fond memories of peanut butter. I don't really remember eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but I've eaten my fair share of peanut butter on saltine crackers.  Many of my life adventures have included peanut butter crackers!

I've found myself with a collection of vintage peanut butter jars and here is how I'm using them.

The petunias are blooming. I have old-fashioned petunias that grow wild around my home place. They reseed themselves and pop up everywhere. There's a batch blooming at the corner of my house right now.


These are not the short, stout, genetically engineered versions for sale at the super centers. They are the original, natural, heirloom variety. They are tall and leggy, the flower petals are as thin as tissue and smell like heaven. They are wild and unruly and virtually indestructible. They do what they want and they are beautiful.

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
Consider how the lilies (petunias) grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

When it comes to decorating, there are no rules at my house. When I got married back in the 80's, people always wanted to know what "my colors" were going to be. Remember that? There was so much pressure to have a theme or color scheme when setting up house. I didn't want to have a mauve and blue house or little geese on everything, but I felt the need to conform. That's what I was supposed to do, right? Well, it never felt like me.

I just like what I like, whether it's in style or not and I'm okay with that. I would rather have an empty spot in my house for a year, while searching for just the right item, instead of getting something just to fill the space. The problem I have now is, I've run out of space!



I recently switched out the old farm table that I've been using as an island and replaced it with a new stainless steel topped island with shelving underneath. The new one is more narrow, which provides more space in the kitchen and adds lots of storage.

I love to watch the sunrise.



It is an act of God, a combination of unmeasurable power, stillness, explosion, calm and peace all wrapped up together. Each one the same as the one before, but different.

On my way to work one day last week, I stopped in the middle of the black top road and took this picture with my phone. I just wanted to share it with you.

Let's take time to enjoy the world around us today.

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning. Isaiah 33:2

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

For the Christian, Easter is the greatest holiday we celebrate all year.

It is a celebration of life and hope!

The life that Jesus offers to us through his death, burial and resurrection and the hope we have in Him.

For Easter, I created this digital art to share with you. Please feel free to pin it, copy it and share it.


Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that your profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

Jesus is Lord!

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

It has been raining here for a month!

We have literally had one day of sunshine in the last three weeks, if not longer, and that was a week ago, but look what all that moisture and the warmer temperatures has brought...


Spring Flowers!

I made a very simple Easter wreath for my front door this weekend.


I started with an old oval picture frame, an unfinished cross and two floral stems of forsythia.

There's something so peaceful about a walk through the woods, especially next to a river when you can hear the water rushing. It's good for the soul!

It's been months since I've posted "a little something lovely" and it's long overdue. Although its icy and nasty outside, inside my lemon tree is blooming. How lovely is that?!


There is always hope of good things to come! Have a blessed day!

Here's a Heart Rock for your pocket:
Though you have not seen him, you love him: and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

It has been a blustery, winter day here in East Texas, which is crazy because a week ago it was in the 70's! The sleet has been tapping on the roof all morning and now everything is covered in a blanket of ice.

Before it all started this morning, I went out and picked a handful of Rosemary that was blooming by my front door steps.

Turns out it was just the thing to chase away the wintertime blues. There's nothing like fresh flowers to bring the feeling of spring indoors, and nothing like a pot of homemade soup to knock the chill off!

I've added a message of love to my chalkboard globe and as I'm writing this, I'm humming.. "What the World needs now is Love Sweet Love..." Dionne Warwick would be so proud. Yes, I am that goofy!

Love.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. We don't have to spend lots of money to express our love to someone special, in fact the things that mean the most are usually free.


Why not write a love letter that can be kept and treasured? Written words are powerful. Memories can fade but something in writing is everlasting.

I have little notes and snippets of words that my 'loves' have given me through the years. They are my treasures and they warm my heart. I wouldn't trade those little scraps of paper with scribbled messages for nothing!

I want to share these precious vintage Valentines with you. 
I hope you enjoy!

I've had a lot of fun with chalkboards in my home for years, even before they became so popular and I'm sure I'll still have them once the fad fades away. They often change with the seasons or someone's birthday or whatever whim gets a hold of me.
 
Last week, I used a little Pinterest inspiration as a guide to update a couple of my chalkboards.

With Valentines just around the corner, I created a LOVE board for my guest room.

I'm not sure if collecting is something that you're born with or taught, but it tends to run in families. I come from a long line of collectors and I've raised collectors. We just can't help ourselves.

Displaying small collections is an easy and fun way of adding a bit of personality to your decor. Here are just a few of my small collections.

Instrument Mouthpieces

It's been a while since I've shared a scene from the country and I've missed them. I ran across this picture I took, some time back, of a cow trail and I was flooded with childhood memories. My sisters and I would gather up a 5 gallon bucket, a can of worms and three cane poles and head out down the cow trail, because it led straight to the pond. As long as we stayed in the trail, we didn't have to worry about stickers. It was always beaten down smooth and sandy. The paths would be so narrow and curvy that at times it was hard to stay in them, but it was sure fun trying. 

Oh, what I would give for a carefree summer day, to be headed down a cow trail to spend the day fishing at the pond with my sisters!


How can such a huge animal leave such a skinny trail? And, why don't they walk in a straight line? Such are they mysteries of life!

Wintertime: the season of Winter... according to Webster. Winter is not my favorite season, but I'm trying to make the best of it. I do love a comfy robe, a fire, a bowl of soup and snow, as long as I don't have to leave the house!

As I wrap up 2014 and my first year of blogging, I've had some really great experiences, learned a lot and met some wonderful people. I thought it would be fun to look back at my "Top 10 Posts" for the year. 


Here's how they played out.

No. 1 - In November, I was invited by my friend Alice, at Thoughts from Alice, to participate in a Thrift Store Challenge, which turned out to be my most viewed post of the year! Thanks, Alice!

No. 2 - In May, I shared how I grow an abundance of veggies in a very manageable space using raised beds.
Garden Memories and Raised Vegetable Beds

No. 3 - In June, I began sharing the journey of our farm house remodel.
Restoring Our Old Farm House

No. 4 - was the kitchen remodel.  
Restoring Our Old Farm House - Kitchen

No. 5 -  In August, I shared a trip to the flea market. 
An August Trip to the Flea Market, Canton, TX

No. 6 - was a look at my front porch in July. The Front Porch

No. 7 - was a continuation of the farm house remodel, specifically the guest room.
Restoring Our Old Farm House-The Guest Room

No. 8 - In June, I shared the use of an old wagon on the porch. Radio Flyer Wagon

No. 9 - I shared my love of old bricks and how I created a patio using them. Bricks - Part 2

No. 10 - I used an old recycled paint ladder as a shelf above the windows in the sun room.
An Old Ladder Makes a Great Hanging Shelf

There you have it...my top viewed posts for 2014!
Thanks for tagging along and I look forward to what 2015 have in store for us.

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord... 
Jeremiah 29:11

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

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Knick of Time
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Coastal Charm
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