Mary did you know...

Christmas..is arriving soon...

and in these precious 

moment's before...

I contemplate and search

for the peace of this season...

I wanted to share a song,

 that I have loved and fills my soul...

like refilling a empty cup

full of water again.

May it also bring peace to your soul.

May your Sunday be beautiful

in every way!

A Little Vintage Christmas...Booth

For over a year now,

I have been aiming for a Booth, in our small town

'Silver Fox Antique Store'

Even tho the town is small,

this place has a sound reputation

so people come from the city, to shop!

3 weeks ago, a smaller space became available.

some bigger spaces had come and gone...

but finally, I was at a place were I thought

I could be ready in 3 weeks.

Yesterday, I set up my booth.

and YES I call it 

'L'ame de la vie'

(The beautiful Soul of life)

because I love taking something old...

and making it new again...

and old pieces, have such a cozy wonderful feel...

the feel of a different Era..when life seemed...well

Simpler.

The Vintage wreath was so fun to create.

The lil Vintage deer, was not in perfect condition,

but he won me over!

I used Vintage lace, and a 1920's scarf is tied at the bottom.

also vintage balls and ornaments.

Pine cones and Vintage Christmas cards.

just looking at it...takes me back.

My big pieces are a Gun cabinet and a girls desk set!

and I made signs...I love love the big mantel sign

'True love was Born in a Stable'

The lil desk, was  roll top, without a roll top

below is the before pic

As I work on a piece..thing's sometimes change,

and I embellish more then I originally thought I would.

I made a built in chalk board, and added a lil valance.

The chair is wonderful in that it was all rounded and curved wood.

I added a Vintage chenille seat.

I know my grand daughters fell in love with this set.

I wonder at the girl, who will one day use it.

The gun Cabinet needed some work...

Silly me forgot to take a before pic...

so this is a pic, in the process off :)

And here is is after

 this Gun cabinet also has lighting in it :)

As I was moving thing's in, the owner and another lady, kept saying

'Peggy, are you sure that is going to fit'

YES, if there is  will there is a way!

I fell in love with the Yellow standing Vintage lamp...I painted

the stand Yellow to match the shade.

I think it will make a wonderful

colorful, accent piece in the perfect spot!

Some of the smaller goodies in my Booth.

I had allot of fun...making this lamp

RED...

I wanted all colors...so thing's 

could go with all decors...

 A little Yellow vintage shelf, is tucked away behind the lamp

It is not a big space, But I think

we popped the color

into this area. Don't you agree?

and it's a Start!

How is your Christmas decorating, gift making and buying going?

can I be honest? really honest?

I have not bought or made one thing,

 for my huge family...nothing, nada...

OH MY!

I best get on all that....very soon!

thanks for stopping by!

Hot chocolate with a dapple of sweet whip cream

I did a Guest post on Vicky's page...

please take a moment and read :)

Winter is on it's way, I feel it in the crisp frozen morning's, in the hour change and darkness coming so much earlier now.  I see it on the bare trees and a yard full of leaves. I hear it, as the heater comes on. I know it because I am wearing sweaters and boots.

It's that cozy time of year... when all you want to do is snuggle with the ones you love. The holidays are approaching, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's that joyful, peaceful, time of year, when there is more love, more giving. I may be 50, but I see this time of year always through the lens of my children and grandchildren. It's seems to me everything is a little brighter through the Holidays. And there seems to be more 'Hope' in everything we do.

Like many of you, I literally stumbled across Vicky's blog. It was late January, I was in a 5th wheel trailer by the ocean in Sitka, Alaska.  I remember the first post I read. I had tears streaming down my cheeks...but I also had such a peaceful feeling...filled with hope and tranquility. I found myself checking back and reading... Vicky held nothing back. She writes for herself, never dreaming how many of us would 'tune' in. As she battles, and does everything she can, to keep this cancer at bay...trying to stop it dead in it's tracks. She shares her fears, her hopes, her dreams...But more so she shares, how she gets through... In all she shares, we can then relate it to things in our own lives. Vicky became my 'warm cup of hot chocolate with a dapple of sweet whipping cream.' 

Linda and I chose to do this Fundraiser for Vicky, not just because there is a need. Because we grew to respect and love this beautiful woman, who is Grace under fire. She has given so much back to us, with her words. Always reaching beyond circumstances to a higher place. Knowing she is cradled in the arms of a divine being that loves her beyond measure.

I know Vicky herself had no clue the beauty this cancer journey would bring.  But she knows it, sees it, feels it and knows there has been much beauty, and grace, and giving, and love poured all around her. I know she has no words for how this truly touches her heart and soul and touches her whole family....  This is something cancer could not beat or win over. This is God's love, and Grace in adversity...shinning through all that know and love her.

We have truly been humbled by all who have donated to this fundraiser. I had no clue how this would turn out. Yes, we aimed high. You will notice if you go to the fundraiser page. That I only contributed $10.  My budget is such, that $10 was the best I could do. But each of you who contributed 'The best you could do' is the priceless gift that blesses us and humbles us beyond any words. 

In my life, the scripture below has always worked. I have given the last in my pocket to someone whose need is more so then mine. For I know when I do, it comes back to me ten-fold. it has never failed and is the most beautiful concept and gift in my life. 

Mark 12:41-44

The Widow's Offering

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.[a] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”  

The fundraiser is coming to a close in a few days. Won't you share the link below and give this one final big push? Share through e-mail, FB,  Twitter or post about Vicky on your own blog.  In doing so you allow other's the opportunity and blessing's that come from giving. And in my life those blessing's have been greater then anything I can truly put into words. To be honest in the end it is  'a gift to myself'.

Many who have donated have not taken part in our 'Thank you' gifts. Know that these gifts were created for only one purpose. To truly allow you to know how very thankful we truly are!

May your Holidays be blessed and I hope to meet you all back here on Vicky's blog. She is truly my 'Hot chocolate with a dapple of sweet whipping cream.'

"Not all of us can do great thing's but we can do small things with great love"

~Mother Teresa~

Please go here to vickyfightingbreastcancer.blogspot for all the details.

Thanks to all who have contributed to so far!

   

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. ~Robert Frost~ The Road Not Taken 1920 Our fund raiser for Vicky has 18 days left! won't you please take a moment of your time. and click the link below! Vicky fighting stage IV breast cancer For every $10 donation you get a chance at one of our 'Thank  You' gifts!  The above is our 'Thank You' gifts click this link to find out more :) Vicky fighting stage IV breast cancer Thank you for stopping by... TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood... the one we choose...The one less taken...so far in our lives ..can make all the difference!

Prayers....

A prayer is  wish your heart makes...

will you please keep me in your thoughts and prayers...

life has me on a cross road...what path to take...

its all very confusing...

Thank you!

Breast Cancer Awareness month

This Month is 

Breast cancer awareness month

below I found a wonderful video

that highlights our friend Vicky!

I think it is the words of her

husband that brought me to tears...

Take a few minutes to know  her

2012 Video of Vicky who won the 'Pay if forward' award

then please visit our Fundraising blog

and get to know Vicky even better :)

One more Day...! For Vicky Westra

Thank you for stopping by!

For My Girls...

For My Girls.... 

If I could give you a dayor two, I would send you to a cabin in the woods, or a cottage by the sea.

 Inside you would find everything that you would need. Soft fluffy pillows, cushy seats and chairs. A pot of the most delicious stew simmering and big homemade biscuits with butter dripping... 

But more so I would surround you with a day, were nothing could touch you. I would whisper to the wind to be perfect, not to still, but not to wild, so that when you got out to explore it would surround you, touching your face, moving through your hair, Settling around you like sweet kisses making you soul relax with wonder. 

I would beckon to the sun, to be warm but not to warm, to shine it's rays down on you... In such a way, you would know without a doubt how much you are loved.

 I would take away all your worries, all the chaos, all the confusion and choices and just for this time... you would be like a child again... free to run, free to play, free to read and dance and sing.

 I would send you baskets full of autumn things... orange pumpkins and then a white one, to remind you. Your are Unique, you are you and life's journey is to find that you, separate and apart from all around you.

 I would have apples in that basket, red, yellow, Green and gold. Sweet, and Delicious to remind you that everything that grows...first has to go through rain storms, winds, heat and sometimes drought. The result is something of wonder and perfection. 

The basket would hold, warm baked goods, pumpkin bread, and wheat bread, persimmon cookies and a cinnamon loaf. The staff of life. So you know There is someone who created you. He is there reaching and waiting...always and forever and will never ever leave. Go to him and he will fill your heart with 'JOY'. 

I would add branches to your baskets with fall leaves, gnarled and imperfect, because those are the best kind, there beauty surpassing that of a strait branch...because they had to grow around obstacles and barriers. In these branches you will see your perfection in the making.

 I would add Hot chocolate and apple cider to your baskets. so when you feel the warmth on your lips... it brings a smile of contentment. But what you would never know..not ever.. is the whole time you were there, I had a invisible quilt surrounding you, A quilt of love, filled with more wishes and dreams then your heart could ever know. Filled with peace the kind of peace that makes one smile from deep within....

 Autumn is arriving, that time of year when the fruits of our labor's are made known. When we get a chance to rest... when days get shorter and nature shows us, all was created by a magnificent hand....take that hand, it will guide you...this I can promise beyond and above anything else.

 I love you! and if I could...I would give you the above. Instead my Mothers heart wishes it, thinks it, knows it, and prays for you always and forever.

 Happy Autumn beautiful girls!  

We are doing a fundraiser for our GF Vicky. Fighting stage IV breast cance.r

Please take time to view the link below and make sure you go to

the fundraising blog. We have gifts item's that you can be entered into

with every donation of $10

Please share this link with other's.

Thank you!

Fundraiser Blog for Vicky Westra

Fund raiser for Vicky...every $10 donated gives you a chance at beautiful Thank you gifts!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Linda and I are Mutual

friends of Vicky's

we are doing a fundraiser for her.

click the link below 

to find out more!

all proceeds will go to Vicky and her family!

http://vickyfightingbreastcancer.blogspot.com/2014/09/about-vicky-and-her-family-and-chance.html

Three Re-purposed dresser's

Next month we have two sibling Grand baby's

who's birthday's are only 2 days apart.

This little family choose to move back to Montana...

2 days after I came back from the wedding...they 

were gone...

we are making a trip to Montana because we have one small load

still left of our thing's...at this time we also

take some of there thing's that were left behind...

This is a young family, so just covering the bill's

is there greatest challenge. 

Our little Grandson who will be one in October has his own

room for the first time...but the only thing in his room

is a playpen that he sleep's in...

SO......

Nana decided to give him a room for his Birthday :)

His momma wanted Green...

So my inspiration came from this pottery barn Valance...

I got it of ebay for $9.00 shipping and all.

and it was sent directly to them.

   

I found this dresser for $35 and almost forgot

to take a before picture.

And here is his dresser after. This dresser was in good condition!

I sprayed painted the original handles a sage green...

the drawers are a soft beige.

I added 'Nana' paw prints :)

I found the lamp and toy's at goodwill. the lamp was only

$3.85

the other toys came in a $2.50 goodie bag!!!

I washed them and got batteries and have already sent the toy's in

a care package to them.

  

I painted the lil car on the lamp base a sage green. It was blue and i painted

the trim on the lamp shade and the car on the lampshade also a sage

green to Ty it into his room.

I added a little owl :) so they know it was made with love :)

I found shelf's at goodwill and the red rack...

The heart shelf was at the red rack and was $5.99

the plain shelf was $2.99 at goodwill and the

little Noah's ark rack was only $1.99

then I found the little wooden chair at goodwill for $3.99

These two shelf's are for our grandson's room

I love the pegs that allow

for a backpack and coat.

As i was doing the pic's to this post..I realized I didn't have a picture of the lil

chair all finished. I found a cute vintage picture for it and wrote

our grandson's name on his chair. I will

have to take a picture of it once his room is all set up :)

This little grandson, we were told was a girl!!!

It was 'Nana" who saw that this little girl

had a 'package' when she entered the world

the soul laughter is brought me,

not even 3 months after my mother passed away

had me laughing for day's...you can read that fun post

here by clicking the link below

Sometimes the greatest gift is soul laughter 

we wouldn't trade this lil man

for anything...

He is the happiest, easy going, laid back...

lil man!

These two grandchildren we are very close too...very...

so being this far away is a bit difficult, hard and worrisome.

His bond tho....was made with his Papa,

for Papa it was the first grandchild he got to see

grow in there first year of life on a regular basis.

Papa always worked out of town, he missed out on allot

of children growing up and grand babies growing up.

Papa's nick name for this little grandson is 'Poot'

  

This was the last time I held him...it was the first of August...

I was saying Good-bye...

The reason, he bonded with Papa...is

simple...you see his big sister...is all Nana's girl!

and adjusting to little brother, when Nana came, she came running...

passing everyone by..to throw herself into Nana's arm's

and that leads us to the dresser I did

for a grand daughter who has stolen my heart completely.

This dresser I got for $30...but it had a warped top and

didn't have all the fun lines as the other dresser.

I had to wood glue the top and use some screws to get it back were

it belonged.

Here is the dresser after. In this picture you will see that

the drawer with the princess is a bit off kilter...

we fixed that..but alas I have no picture of it and will take one

once her room is set up.

  

I added some wooden embellishments to dress it up more!

and there was a knob clearance sale...so all the wonderful

knobs were only $2.00 and $2.50 but there was Not

enough knobs..so we used 2 of each kind :)

I was 2 knob's short, so I took two of the original knobs and

painted them pink.

the princess stencil..was only $2.99

and it added that wonderful girl'y touch...

I hope she lights up..with the princess dresser

Nana made for her...

all the dressers are lined with new contact paper.

And Nana added a owl...my signature..for made with love!

When this little grand daughter came into the world...

It was the first birth I saw...funny but even with my own,

there was never a mirror or anything...

and so I had no clue that Babies 'Blossom'

they come out and unfold in a way that

is so beautiful and such a miracle!

Her momma was single...her Daddy was there...

but quickly things got very chaotic.

so to this grand daughter, I became

the second parent...

It was truly not a position I wanted...because

of my own heart strings...and leaving in 2012

to go on the road was one of the hardest decision's I had to make.

The greatest gift I could give my own daughter..was

her daughter, and the greatest gift I could give this

grand daughter was her momma.

In some ways it was like the movie, raising Helen..

I was there to show her how...to be a mom.

she has the natural mom gene and is a very

hyper vigilant mom..but she was nervous

so when this little grand baby had colic...her

momma got nervous...babies feel this...

so she calmed down in Nana' arm's...

and that was hard on our Mother daughter dynamic...

YES, I was the other parent...

and I don't love her more...

I know her, I am bonded for life

with this little thing

that runs to Nana every time I show up!

 we made her shelf to match her dresser. she has a single bed, a sparkly curtain,

and a night stand in her room.

I received a phone call yesterday..from my "poppie' that is my dutch version

of dolly :)

in the box with her brothers toy's were also some toys for her...

and Nana found this princess dress for only $5.99 I washed and Ironed

it and sent it to her..she was so excited :)

Her momma, got to hang out with princess Belle

all day yesterday...oh how Nana would have

loved that!

but we will be seeing them next month!

and that brings us to the last dresser

This was my husbands dresser growing up.

In real good condition!

and I turned it into this for our daughter :)

My daughter also like bling...so we changed the knobs on this one 

as well!

I added a wood embellishment

and slightly distressed this dresser.

The knobs. this picture came out lighter

And this Picture came out a bit darker...

but I love how this turned out :)

can I ask for prayers for this daughter and her family!

they are young, but with 2 children

she is a wonderful mom and her children

have changed her life...but it takes more then

love to raise children..it takes money..

and we are in that spot...with helping,

but not wanting to in able...it's

a hard spot to be ...when your

heart loves the way it does.

Thank you! for stopping by!