Tuesday Homecoming!

Oh, Happy Day!

Well, all that walking around the hills of the Presedio in San Francisco last week really did it's work. Ashley went into labor soon after. She worked so hard and after about 20 hours of labor she had cute baby Hudson by C-section at almost midnight Friday! He surprised us all coming almost 2 weeks early and weighing in at 9# 4 oz! He is perfect! So, after four days in the hospital, mom and dad and baby come home today. I think he looks like his mom did when she was born so we will see as he develops just who he resembles. I have been preparing the house, cleaning and washing and (blogging-no, that doesn't count!) to get everything clean enough for this precious bundle straight from God. We are so blessed! We even had an earthquake (4.3). I felt right at home! It must be a sign--a welcoming home gesture.

Welcome home Hudson!

Makin' Friends Monday

Makin' Friends Monday is today and the challenge Kasy at All That Is Good has given us today is to list 10 things that you can't live without. So here are my ten that are essential to me (or at least make my life liveable).

1. My contacts. Since my vision is so poor (2400) I cannot see anything without them. I have worn them since I was 18 so they have gone through a lot of living with me. (Glad they can't talk and tell all!)
2. Chocolate. I guess I could live without it, but it makes life so muchy more creamy, and bittersweet and dove-like. Sometimes I just have to have a little.

3. My car. Isn't it nice to have dependable wheels to take us anywhere, whenever we want?

4. Hair spray. I have used it for years. I like a light spray and try not to breathe in the fumes.

5. My faith. It keeps me grounded and helps set my course each day.
6. Friends. I would be so sad and lonely without the support, love and laughter that they bring.

7. Family. I have a great one!

8. Electric blanket, socks and shoes. I am forever cold and these help keep my body temperature up. 9. Copy machine. I am forever copying things for church, family, myself etc. I love to print out color copies, and enlarge and reduce what I am copying to fit a card or book or whatever.
10. Fresh berries. I try to have strawberries, blueberries and/or raspberries everyday. They are so delicious, I want some now.

To find out other favorites go to Kasey's blog and find other friends.

Makin' Friends Monday

Today for Makin' Friends Monday we are reflecting on what makes happy and for what we are thankful. This is a great exercise for me as I have so many reasons to be grateful. Today, especially, I am grateful to be in San Francisco enjoying the company of my youngest daughter (and her I cute husband) as we await the impending birth of her first baby, Hudson.
Penny is getting all the love she can before Hudson comes.
The tiny clothes have been washed, folded and put into their proper bins.
The high chair and swing have been assembled and are set up in the kitchen and the two soon-to-be-parents are riding around the city with the little car seat buckled into the back seat of their car.

Now we are going to walk, and walk, and walk until He decides it is the exact time he chooses to meet us and come into this world!

I am so proud and thankful for my sweet daughters and their loving husbands that take good care of them. And no one has cuter or nicer grandchildren than I!
I am blessed to have a warm, beautiful home and live near some of my family. Next to family is good health, a strong body and good genes. I have great friends, a dependable car and time to enjoy life. I am thankful to live in this free country and live in this time in history. If I was really appreciative, I would never complain about a thing. That, I have to work on and after this exercise, it makes me really think about doing so.

There are many little things to be thankful for that I will not mention here but you can read more Makin' Friends Monday by visiting Kasey here. I will enjoy reading about your favorite things today too.

Thanks for coming by!

Welcome Spring!

I welcome the first day of Spring with a poem from my mother's kindergarten -teaching years.

( Horray!! Soon we will be seeing some of these)I have a little pussy,

And her coat is silver gray;

She lives in a great wide meadow,

And she never runs away.

She always is a pussy,

She'll never be a cat

Because---she's a pussy willow!

Now what do you think of that!

These will soon be out wild in the meadows

These are out in front of a beautiful nursery and antique shop called Wisteria in California.

Poppies in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Happy 1st day of Spring to you!!

First Tablescape Thursday

This is my first Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on The Porch and I am so excited. I love setting my table differently each time and finding just the right china or glassware, tablecloth or napkins to set the particular mood. I was reading At Home With Carolyn Roehm last week and got the idea for this tablecloth from her beautiful and inspiring book with it's lovely pictures.

I love the contrast between the blue and white and have several different patterns of china in these colors. I mix and match(?) them together. This was set for a casual family dinner.

Because my round table is so wide ("72") it is hard to find tablecloths for it so I have begun buying coverlets or bed coverings. (Thank you Carolyn). This one is for a queen size, is matelisee and has the nice scalloped edging. I have found a big variation in the sizes so be sure to read the dimensions before purchasing. I have found some at HomeGoods for a good price.

I love old transfer ware with the lovely picture scenes.

I found some of these balls at HomeGoods. I did have them in a lovely glass bowl then changed them to the basket to look more casual.

I thought this one was Spode but the back says Denmark trademark England.

This is a Syracuse China (restaurant use) plate that I bought from their outlet store when we lived in New York.

This is my silver plate we got for our wedding. I love it with the rose and shell patterns combined. (I wish it were in focus!)
The stemmed glasses were from Costco. I am looking for some pretty blue tumblers now and some clear blue salad plates. Also some beautiful antique napkins would be nice! To see more lovely tables go to Susan's site. Now I look forward to reading and seeing all the beautiful tablescapes from everyone else!

Happy Tablescaping to you!

Wordless Wednesday

Dale in Vermont with a calf at the b&b where we stayed.

"But listen to me one moment.

Quit being sad.

Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you"

Honest Scrap

Happy Tuesday!!

I still can't believe that I didn't win the HGTV's Dream Home. They didn't even call me!!! oh, well, I guess I will be content in my own home. Today is Tuesday--the day I see my CPA about my taxes! Wish me luck.

Rhonda at Down Memory Lane passed the Honest Scrap Award to me!! Thank You so much Rhonda! I was so surprised when I read that you picked me, so thank you.! Honesty is the best policy. (But, it has gotten me into trouble sometimes when I speak before I think). The requirements are that I have to list 10 things about myself and then pass it on to others. So, here we go...

1- I love a bargain! Just ask my daughters. Sometimes I embarrass them when I ask for a discount. Just recently I saved over $100 just by asking if there was a "special" I could use for my order. The salesperson looked and, yes, there was and she applied it to my order.
2-I love rituals and ceremonies.! I gave my house a name and had a "House Blessing" party for it with everyone involved blessing each of the rooms with bell ringing and candle burning (actually the 3 year-old turned a flashlight on and off representing the candle!)
3-My family is my treasure.! I love each of them dearly and miss those who are not near.
4-My favorite color is red! I have it in almost every room in my house and I am wearing it right now.
5- I am a list maker. I live by my lists. I sometimes list something just so I can cross it off when it is done.
6- My motto for a house is "nothing is permanent".! Needless to say, I have done 7 remodels -two to flip for resale.
7- Another motto is "any excuse for a party"! But I don't like chit chat or cocktail parties.
8- I have become more outgoing, stronger and braver in the last 4 years.
9- I love all things feminine.
10- I am a child of God.

Now that you know more about me, I am passing this Honest award on to some new friends I would like to know better.

Vilate of My Corner of the Net... who is abusy mom, scrapper, disigner and gardner.
Betty of BerryMorrin Bits and Tips who is a busy mom, small business owner and menu planner.
Ashley of Delancey Dish who is 8 1/2 months pregnant, a business owner and mom to two dogs. and Jen at Tatertots and Jello a busy mom of four and fashion deva to all who know her.

Also, Wendy at Wenderful another busy mom of 4 who is trying to decide which animals to get for her kids today.