Saturday, June 20, 2020

First Day of Summer!!! Surprises!

Hope you are all feeling like Summer Sunshine! Today she arrived although we are having thunderstorms. I have been working all morning every day this week in my Studio... I will have to show you all later because it is a gift, and she might be reading this!

Pinterest Photo

Imagine how happy I was to come in and find I had received mail! My dear, dear friend from forever sent me this cute Patriotic set that she MADE!  My friend lives a few miles from here, and we don't see each other very much. I was so surprised and pleased she took the time to make this for me.  I just can't wait to sit down with a cup pf coffee and my planners at the table with this sweet runner! Did I say COFFEE??????? Wait until you hear this!




There was another box! I was caught off-guard by this one. I love the blog, "Sweet Nothings." I have read it for years, and I feel as if the author BJ has been in my kitchen for coffee and biscuits... But that isn't the case. However, she wrote a little post on her Instagram a few weeks back.



 She made me hanker after that Tumbleweed coffee and wish I could stroll into Lubbock, Texas, and visit the "Odds and Ends" shop she mentioned to pick up a package! So via email I contacted them and we worked out what I was getting: Tumbleweed Coffee!!!!!  I had to try it both due to the high praise of BJ and because my sweet as sugar grandfather (Paw-paw) absolutely loved that song "Tumbling Tumbleweed." He had the little 45 record of it and one of Gramma's Favorite, "Mockingbird Hill." We usually played all five every time I got out the record player and my three records.

The Tumbleweed and Mockingbird Hill Pair! My Loves!

(I had The Beatles, "I Want to Hold Your Hand," " Bobby Vinton's "Roses are Red," and The Monkees "I'm a Believer." ----- Big Concert!

I mentioned to them I wanted to buy this coffee because of BJ and because of my grandfather. Well, on the day they sent the invoice my son was laid off, and I decided I could better spend that money. I told Odds 'n Ends I needed to postpone the coffee until our finances were better! End of story???? Nope....  The mother and daughter who own that shop mailed me that coffee with a note that said, "Blessings!" I cried as I was showing the coffee to my son... (My nerves are wonky lately.  Plus.... unexpected kindness really floors me. I keep telling everyone I believe Anne Frank when she says, "In spite of everything. I still believe people are really good at heart." When I see evidence of that fact, I cry.) <3 The mug is one I made on Walmart.com of my grandfather's old barn.



Here is a link to  Odds 'n Ends website. This coffee is a dream!!!!

From Qdds n Ends website

I truly thank this little shop! What a kind-hearted thing to do. It is looking as if my son will be back at work (work from home) Monday, so it won't be long until I will definitely be making a real purchase from this store for gifts... Wouldn't it be fun to all go shopping together?



Whimsy and Hugs!

Monday, June 15, 2020

Keep a Shinin' in June

Oops! June 15th already. My son and I say every evening the day has just zipped by. He starts work for a different company soon... still telecommuting (work from home) and still his same work place that contracts jobs to many clients.

I had fun making a stacked album. Each page flips out for journaling or photos.


We have a doe with twin fawns who comes right in to the yard. I missed one fawn and was super far away.     When they're in the yard, I can see the spots on the babies!


This year won't catch me like 2019 when we have the first snow. Traditionally I prefer fresh peas frozen, but these 99-cent/quart strawberries from Aldi's will be fine! Last year I just couldn't get past the need for the produce to be farm grown. That's so funny... I remember feeling let-down on my first big snow because I didn't have that tie with summer preserved.




Two of my friends and I connected with Zoom for this bible study. It was really awesome to try new things. I actually have skyped only once or face-timed. I am excited to do another Beth Moore study. It has been a minute.



Would you eat biscuits and gravy from this breakfast bar? I might! I am pretty hungry! This looks rather gross, but not sure why! lol



Time for a little snack... What have you been cooking? I made a brisket and some cauliflower and carrots with bacon and cheese yesterday. The instant pot is a game changer for me in making brisket. I cook it 100 minutes with a great rub and one cup water... from partially frozen. Then I just set the whole thing in the fridge overnight. Then I slice it against the grain with an electric knife, put in empty pot and add a bottle of bbq sauce or a cup or so of my homemade bbq sauce with a cup of water or broth. I pressured it again for 10 minutes and let it come down from pressure naturally until ready to eat. Boom!


Have a good week! 




Whimsy and Hugs!

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Whimsy and Hugs!

Still here. Nothing really exciting to post here from Meadow Lane. This photo reminds me of the chickens we had when I was a little girl. I had the job of feeding them, watering them, and getting the eggs. I had the idea that they deserved a few of their own eggs, so I always gave them a couple every day. By the way, chickens LOVE raw eggs! ewww? One night I learned my dad was going to take a few to the meat locker the next day, so I ran off and cried.... deep in the back of the chicken house under their roost I sat with my old girls hugged in my arms, bawling my eyes out. I heard Mom calling me. I guess she heard me crying because suddenly the door swung open, and there stood both my parents. All I remember is I had to take a bath (because chicken roost) and all my clothes got soaked... and those old hens lived here.... forever.... until their old-age, dying days... Nobody had to go to the meat locker. The end. 

p.s.  I MIGHT have been a little spoiled. lolol  I prefer to think they saw the glory of the chickens and the error of their ways. 

Monday, June 1, 2020

Hello, June Bugs!

Thought it might be a good day to share some photos of my happy place! Clutter and all! I am no longer sure there is even room for all my stuff! However, I enjoy the whimsy...

Finally! My little song bird valances.




 I have future organizational plans to spruce all my shelves and make this look better...  but it is such an improvement!



 I love the view out the two windows, south and west... Lots of wild creatures and "outdoor" birds!


The motto is, "If the wreath is not in season, it will most likely be on this storage wall."




I had to laugh when I saw this photo on Facebook! The look on that dog's face! (This picture is Not my dog! Not my door!!!!)




Whimsy and Hugs!