Hurry for Blog Hop Giveaway!

This is the very last day to leave comments on a ton of blogs involved in the Blog Hop Giveaway! My fanny aches from sitting on it so long, trying to visit each site and leave the required comment. It's a good thing I will be on my feet for hours doing yard work, right after this!!!

I used this site's list of all the sites to hop to.... French General . Her list is at the end of the post.

Have fun! They announce the winners tomorrow, Sept. 15th!

Hope we all win something!!!!!  :)

A Little FALL Coziness! :)

FALL spells coziness! 

 … Spiced caramel lattes …

 … 3/4-sleeved polka dotted sweaters …

 … Chatting with a friend over breakfast …

 … Maple syrup pools atop pumpkin pancakes …

 … and, oh, sooo much more! …

 … What does FALL spell to you? …

One of my fall favorites (out of ten billion) is

My mom used to make it all the time during holidays.

Hers was a little dry, but still yummy.

mine is not

:)

Eons ago, I got this little book free from mailing in flour bags (empty, of course); it's so much FUN finding surprises in the mailbox!

 

                    Anyhoo, here's my beloved, splattered page, just 

in case you have a hankerin' for a taste of FALL coziness, too! 

hugs & kisses!

GIVEAWAY!!! yay! :)

Hi ! Happy September, everyone!!! The giveaway is now closed... BECAUSE WE HAVE A WINNER!!! It is YOU, ALAINE88!!!! Please email your address to me, so I can get this book and Starbucks card into your hands!!! Congrats! Thanks for joining me in this giveaway!  :)

get

 Yes, a GIVEAWAY!!!  yay

Once again, I got to review a new book; this is a privilege, expanding my horizon of authors. Love it!

GIVEAWAY: This book by John Hagee and a $5 gift card to Starbucks. One of my favorite things to do while reading is sipping a cappuccino, so I thought I bet someone else finds that special too! These are just two of life's simple joys! 

To enter, leave me the title of your favorite book.  :) The winner will be announced September 1, this coming Saturday, in the afternoon. Hope YOU win!

Since I feel the exact same as I did when I wrote my review for Amazon, I am just going to cut and paste it here...

Anytime a title/subtitle has the words 'new' and 'revelation' in it, I am a bit leary; couple that with a friend telling me that this author, John Hagee, is a "name-it and claim-it" pastor, well, I proceeded with extra caution.

I'm just glad I proceeded!

For me, the book is a trove of information, all leading to God and encouraging our walks with Jesus. Never have I learned so many details about the blessing in Numbers 6:22-27 and the blessings that Jacob (Israel) said to his sons, upon his deathbed.

It was captivating! John Hagee definitely writes with flair, honesty, and a deep love for God and His people.

As far as the blessings we pass onto our children and others, I do not believe we can just say, "You will be the best salesman" and God will bring it to pass. Since our days were written by God while we were still in the womb, I think that God may not have planned for that person to be a salesman, the best or the worst.

Still, he only mentions this kind of thing a couple of times, and it is a mere drop in the ocean of God's Word, which John abundantly shares. 

Even though I finished it days ago, it's often that I find my mind pondering what I read... and smiling.

I'm happy I read this book!

hugs & kisses!

SOS !!! :)

There are still 26 more days till FALL!!!

I’m getting a jump-start and  beginning my autumn decorating this week!

So, SOS!

Send (link) me all your favorite Ol’ blogs that are Stuffed with inspiring

 ideas and pictures for this upcoming season!

Please!!!!!!  :)

Ooooo, can’t wait!

Thank YOU!!!!!!  :)

hugs & kisses!

Now That I'm Blogging Again...

... I'm scanning the blog horizon for all your sunny posts, with gorgeous pictures, charming chats, and inspiring projects that have me longing for home, where I could lock myself in my kitchen or sewing room and become a Rembrant of creativity!

But, if I were home, chances are most likely that I would be doing 50-yard dashes from one to-do to the next. Don't you feel like this sometimes? My hope is that it is only sometimes because without those little cherries on top of our days, like browsing sites, then hopping up and getting our minds and hands immersed in the fun of turning what we see into our own cute design, life would merely be work. And that is not the way to live.

So, now that I'm blogging again, I've noticed that my juices for sewing and baking are flowing swiftly through my veins again, thanks to being landed in the middle of nowhere, while my husband goes on site for a job, leaving me alone with time in a hotel room ilde my time away with fun! I love your blogs!

!hugs & kisses!

Summery Simple

Garden tomatoes...
                Fresh sweet basil...
                                    Susan Branch's fun-to-read cookbook, with stories & recipes & inspiration...

                                                                     OH MY!

Seasons come and go so quickly here!  :)

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, JULIA!!!!

If You're Happy & You Know It - Chocolate Might Be Involved! :)

 

A little bit of bad  makes for a really good attitude!!!

Every day I try to add something ‘bad’ into my daily routine.

… Dark Chocolate tagging along with the healthy snackster …

… Moments to browse a mag in the middle of stomping the to-do list …

… Putting on sassy pink lipstick every time I pass the bathroom mirror …

… Pouring sparkling water over ice in an antique wine glass for ironing time …

… Blasting the music, any music, louder than necessary, and dance while cooking dinner …

Think of some little things you love, that you postpone in your haste to get there or do that, and do them.

In endless days of endless have-tos, it’s just nice to be bad enough to be good to ourselves.  :)

Try it & then tell me all about it!  I’ll share your joy!

Top of the mornin' to ya!!!

No, I'm not Irish, and St. Paddy's Day is long gone (only 318 more days!).

But, I just bought the most spectacular, burgundy-colored bursts of taste-buds' delight at the Farmer's Market a few days ago.

Looking adorable in my pink-and-white heart-shaped bowl, we giggle each time I see them, and sing out in unison, "AND A CHER-rrrrRY ON THE TOP!"

Who can look at cherries without thinking that???

Anyhoo, this top of the morning, when there's still time to make practical and fun choices, I ask you:

What will you choose to do today that will be a cherry topper?

As for moi, it is going to be finishing one of two summery tops (flower pocket included; I'll show ya when I'm all done) for a set of twins' birthday.

Put your thinking cap on top of your head and really think up something you find utter pleasure in, so that in your day of to-dos, you have a delightful cherry-on-the-top memory!

It's what makes life CHEERY!  :)

X O

Ever Felt Like This???

I have!!!

Julia Child said in her book My Life in France that  “But I was a pure romantic, and only operating with half my burners turned on.”   

Not having read the book (making a trip to the library today), I don't know the context of that quote, but....it's time to get the mental burners flaming again!

Warmer weather's going to help.

Exercise, too.

Hmmmm, trying a new recipe?

Buying a new apron?

Dancing around in sparkling silver heels?

Whatever it takes to get you back into living life to the fullest, give it a go!

YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!  :)

A Pleasant Sunday!

All week I scurried along so that when the weekend came I could play to my heart's content.

And, quite content is it!

This square is just one of 42 that I will make out of fabrics that have hung around patiently awaiting their turn to become butterflies that will soar out of my sewing room someday.

Such an enjoyable treat of a weekend!

Hope yours is the same!!!  :)