Learning Contentment

Ladies, yes its true........I have yet unloaded another truckload of stuff from my home. I've been putting together some things for awhile for the antique shop Lady to come by and look at. She has a full time job, plus the shop and has been sick too so she hasn't been able to get by here. Needless to say my pile was getting bigger and bigger.  She finally got to stop by after work yesterday evening.  Of course she like it all and took everything with her. She and I have the same taste in stuff :) her words! My grandson helped her load it and she was on her way, happy as a lark, and I  have another $100.00 credit at her shop. This situation is working out fine for us both, as she said she hasn't had any extra time to go out looking to buy things to restock her shop with, and I am happy to unload some wares on her! Things are paring down nicely here in my cottage and making me feel much more comfortable.  Am I done yet, no....not at all. One day, maybe ;)

Lilly seems to be content in whatever place I am. All she needs from life is food, water, the outdoors and someone to love her. I think we can learn much from our pets on what it truly means to live contented in this life. They don't require much at all,  they're so forgiving, and they give without asking much in return. Lesson learned.

Blessings to you all...... Shelley

An Friendly Visit

Remember Becky ,my friend whose home I have been sharing pictures of here at my blog for years now?
Well,Betty and I and our daughters, Regina and Heather went to visit her this past Monday .....we always love going around the holidays because she does wonders displaying all her wonderful vintage and antique collections. She is also the perfect hostess,and spoils us with tea and homemade goodies to enjoy.

I really like this vintage plant stand...isn't it lovely?

And this sweet vintage tin tea set was a favorite of mine this year.

I have always loved this little tea cart.. from my very first visit to Becky's home years ago.

Becky and her husband have incorporated a retro look to their home over the last few years. I like it!

Regina and I thought these old bunnies were darling...aren't they?

Of course,I couldn't not take a picture of her sock monkeys  :)

The entrance to Becky's little office nook............

The picture of her desk below is from last years visit.....I love this spot...so personal and cosy....everyone needs their own little spot :)

My next post will show you some pictures from the garden.  If you click on" Becky's Home" in the label links...you can see other visits to her home through the years.   Blessings to all

Let Us Love...............

I am feeling much better today....so much so,that while my daughter was here doing some housekeeping for me, I sorted through all the drawers in this chest,weeded some things from them, and then organized them. I finely got the Valentine decorations out and put together this vignette.  The little Boyd's Bear and the Pooh I purchased from Hospice last week... .25 for Pooh and .50 cents for the Boyd's Bear.

I crocheted the heart garland and the loose yarn hearts as well... last year.

The little blue lamb and the pink butterfly were my children's when they were babies.

Made for a pretty cute vignette,don't you think?

The bulbs are coming up nicely.

Thank you for all your sweet comments on yesterdays post. I had a wonderful talk with my Lord....he cheered my heart right up....he is so good like that!  Always
Blessings to you all........Shelley

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7-8

Christmas in a Very Small Town

Google image

We didn't have snow,but it was very cold...low 30's

Regina getting us some free coco at the car wash, thanks to the Church of Christ.

Son waiting on his coco,and disgusted with mama's blog picture taking...ha

Little ones waiting for the parade to start.

My pretty girl.

And it begins

This is the only time of the year we have a little action in town  ...truly

Jaxon is excited

Christmas in the park

Son and sweet DIL

My nose was a' chillen  :)

I love living in a little town, with events like this and church bells ringing daily.....very simple and nostalgic at the same time. Life is good living in a very small town!   Blessings

Smile and the World Smiles with You

Hope your week is starting out wonderfully. Just thought I would share a few fun photos from my home today. Also a few images I like. This smiling apple above has been on my " look for list " for a long while. My kids played with one just like this when they were small. I have seen this apple on quite a few of my favorite blogs as well. So, while at my mamas this past week...we went by Goodwill while out and about running some errands. I found this smiling face sitting among the Christmas things, I said...Well hello there...you are going home with me  :)   I have a little collection of vintage toys. I just have them around for the fun of having them, and for the feeling of nostalgia they give me.

Going home with the Christmas trees.

I remember this face from my own childhood.

Christmas 1964,my sister and I found Chattys under our tree. Me, being the little sister....found Chatty Baby. I have loved these dolls ever since.

I bought myself a Raggedy Ann on my 50th birthday from a very talented blogging friend.

Mary Engelbreit is always fun...I love her art.

I find this image of Mary and the very chubby baby Jesus so precious.

My little brother and I , about 1969

And this last little image, pretty much speaks for itself!

Blessings dear friends

Christmas and Children... Reminisce

My " Keepsakes Christmas Tree "  filled with Christmas memories of my children coming home from school,excited about school parties,Christmas cookies,and so proud of some little handmade ornament to hang on our tree. Other ornaments bought over the years,to commemorate a year a child was born,etc. Even others given by family members or friends...just because. These are the ones that hang on my tree this year!  Toys under the tree..loved and worn over the years,cherished by a little one...left behind for me to reminisce of when those little ones were at my feet, tugging on my skirt ..little voices calling mama.....mama!

Thomas...you still have your mama's heart....always..no matter how old you grow....all my heart!
You were my little strong one, my little man....always there when mama needed you. You grew up strong and capable.....in so many ways.

 Oh,if that "Little Foot" stuffed dinosaur could only talk...he would tell you some stories of a little boy named J.W. who loved him better than any little boy could ever love a toy. Oh, how I miss that rowdy, wild little boy....he sure kept me on my toes. To think you are now a U.S. Marine.  He reminds me often when I still try and warn him of the danger that a gun can be :)  Mama..I have been trained as a U.S. Marine!

Regina, my eldest...who stuck to her mama like glue. Still close by...my neighbor daughter. What memories I cherish of you. You taught a young girl what it was to be a mother.

Then there is my baby girl ,Kathryne Rose...you nursed your teddies and dollies back to health....who knew you would grow up and nurse people. You did it...all by yourself. I pray you know just how very proud this mama is of you. You fulfilled the dream I once carried for myself.

 Oh, what treasures memories are. I hold then near and dear in my heart...always. I shall always be grateful to God for the blessing of my children! Those I birthed,and one born of my heart.

Then.....

And now.......

Always in my heart!