A Little Shopping

So it's August already. I'm not usually one to complain too much about the weather (after all, what can we do about it?).... but this is going on 40 days of over 100 degrees. I know, you people are thinking, "She lives in Texas. Doesn't she know it's supposed to be HOT in Texas?" ;)  But actually, here in East Texas, we usually don't reach 100 until mid-August, and some years we might have just a day or two of that hot. But this year?

Well, enough about the weather, except to say, I am so absolutely thankful we have air conditioning!

Last week, I shared a unique table that I had purchased. I am planning on redoing the table when I have time. (Believe me, I have been crazy busy the last few weeks!) ;) I have bought supplies, but now I'm just waiting on the time! That trip was so much fun. We weren't planning on antiquing that day... actually headed to a local lake for some cool water time. But this place looked so interesting, we dropped in for a look-see.



I wish I had taken a picture of the outside of the building. It was an old train depot and half was converted into an antique store. Although it was all open air, it was a cloudy day, and not super unbearable in there... I thought you all might enjoy a look around with me! (First, let me say all these photos were taken on my phone, so aren't of the purest quality... please enjoy anyway...) :)

I'm not sure why, but I've been wanting an antique coffee grinder for quite a while. They aren't quite in my budget though!

(and I love the detail on the table behind it!) 

Loved this lamp!


Ok, you know I have a thing for chairs right? Look at the detail on this rocker!!


Can anyone tell me what this chair was used for? I can't figure it out. There were a couple of them. See the hook on the side and the slot in the back? And the top is really wide...


I thought this recipe box was great! Love the shelves to display recipe cards!


Love, love, love this tray!!! (But for that price -$69.00 - I let them keep it!) :)



Since I (obviously) couldn't afford to take home what I admired, I just took a few pictures instead! :) Not everything was overpriced. In fact, compared to many antique shops, some of these prices were rather cheap. So of all the fun things that "got away," at least I have some fun pictures to look at! I hope you enjoyed our little shopping trip! :)

Dishing it: Summer Reading

News Flash: I love books.

(image source)

Wow. Surprised you, huh?
Ok. That is not a secret, especially if you've been following my blog long. So when I saw that the Dishing It topic for this month (over at Serenity Now) was on books, I couldn't pass it up!

So here goes....

~Give us your list of top 5 picks for summer reading.
Wow. Where do I start?? The Bible is a given, of course. But that goes for anytime. For summer fun reads...1. Pride and Prejudice (or Emma) 2.The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen 3. Weddings by Bella series by Janice Thompson 4. Any of the Sister Chick books by Robin Jones Gunn 5. The Lauren Holbrook series by Erynn Mangum


~What genre of literature makes you want to pick up a book and read (biographies, chick lit, Christian fiction, historical fiction, etc.)?
I love Christian fiction. It's basically the only fiction I do read. Within that, I basically switch from reading historical fiction to chick lit depending on my mood. I also like to read encouraging nonfiction that help me grow as a Christian.


~What are your favorite magazines? Hmm... My long time favorite magazine is Reminisce. I also enjoy Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens.


~If you had to be stuck on a desert island with any fictional character, who would you choose? Probable Anne Shirley. I don't think that she would run out of interesting things to imagine!


~How do you make time to escape into a good book? I usually read for a little while before I go to bed. Theoretically, this is supposed to help me relax and go to sleep. However, when I'm really into a book this practice really pushes back my bedtime! oops.


~What's your favorite place to get your books?
Oh, that's an easy one!! I work at a wonderful church bookstore/library. We get most of the new Christian fiction put in the library. Since I am usually the one entering books, I also end up being the first to read the books I want to read! And I get to help pick out some of the books we get in. Yay!

~What's next on your "to-read" list? Wow. What's next?
Reflecting Beauty by Valorie Quesenberry
Match Point by Erynn Mangum (as soon as it's back in the library - I'm on the edge of my seat!!) :)
Honey for a Woman's Heart by Gladys M. Hunt
...and many more!!

Thanks for stopping by! I am excited to read other Dishing It posts. Maybe I'll find more treasures! :) So what are your favorite summer reads?

The Chair Collection

I can be anything
any person
anywhere
if I just have my book and chair.
~Karla Kuskin

But of all the cheap treasures that garnish my nest,

There’s one that I love and I cherish the best:

For the finest of couches that’s padded with hair

I never would change thee, my cane-bottom’d chair.
~William Makepeace Thackeray

“A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless”
May Sarton



To sit in an old rocking chair
That's a pleasure I really like to do,
It soothes the soul and relaxes the mind
This is a fact that has been proved to be true.
~ Adine Cathey



“Every chair should be a throne and hold a king”
Ralph Waldo Emerson



I LOVE it, I love it ; and who shall dare
To chide me for loving that old Arm-chair ?
~Eliza Cook


Ummm... see? I told you I loved old chairs.

and that last one... yeah, I rescued it from the side of the road. No, it wasn't quite that bad when I got it. Maybe I can repair it? a little bit?? :) It's an old platform rocker and I just love the shape of the back and the arms!

~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Lord is helping Sis. Connie. Last night she requested for her husband to sing this song for her. Thank you all for your prayers!

Unreedemed

I fell in love with this song the first time Angie posted it on her blog several months ago. The cd just came out, and I will be buying it soon.



As with many songs, this has a special meaning for each person who hears it. I hope it touches you as it has me.

PS~ Sorry it's a little big, hopefully you won't have trouble viewing it.

Once Upon a Time...

there were four little Rabbits, and their names were - Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter...

Today is Beatrix Potter's 143rd birthday. I have grown to love her work more and more as I get older. I wrote the following post about a year ago and wanted to share it again in honor of her birthday.

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Many children have grown up with the adventures of Peter and friends. He has become a household name since his popularity with the first published book in 1901. Gracie, my "adopted niece," really enjoyed Peter for a while, and still does. I think she was always a little afraid of "Mr. Gregor." :) I have collected a few various items relating to Peter and Beatrix Potter.

The dress and the book at the far left were mine as a little girl.

I love this set of books. They are just the right size! They are also very similar in size and setup to those that were originally published by F. Warne & Co. in the early 1900's.


I found these two Peter's at a garage sale and couldn't resist them! :)


I love the movie Miss Potter. I don't own it (yet) but I did find this book at a discount book store. It has a lot of interesting facts about Beatrix's life as well as about the movie. Update: I did get Miss Potter as a gift... Thanks, Angie! :) It is definitely one of my favorites.


Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter
(Image Source)
Speaking of the movie, I highly recommend it! I have enjoyed it multiple times. It is very beautifully filmed and is mostly accurate. I think it is very true to the person of Beatrix Potter and how her personality might have been.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have recently made new additions to my Beatrix Potter collection. My sister-in-law found a hardbound book of complete works. (I think she's wishing she would have bought it herself.) :)

I have enjoyed reading the stories.

One of my favorites is Miss Tiggy Winkle.

I also found these plaques.

Happy birthday to Miss Potter... and happy 31st anniversary to my parents! :)

PS~ There will not be Finished Object Friday this week, although this is the week for it. :) I am going to postpone it to next week. Happy Crafting, everyone!!

Show and Tell: Spring Bunnies

Every now and then I enjoy taking part in Kelli's Friday Show and Tell. This Friday, I wanted to share my rabbits with you. I know it is past Easter, but I enjoy my rabbits into the summer. I do have a few of what I call "cutsie" rabbits, but my favorite ones are much more realistic. (I am also including a quote about a rabbit from Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder.)

And sometimes there'd be a great gray rabbit, so still in the lights and shadows of a grass clump that you were near enough to touch hime before you saw him.

His round eyes stared at yours without meaning anything. His nose wiggled, and sunlight was rosy through his long ears, that had delicate veins in them and the softest short fur on their outsides. The rest of his fur was so thick and soft that at last you couldn't help trying, very carefully, to touch it.

Then he was gone in a flash and the place where he had been sitting was hollowed and smooth and still warm from his warm behind.

I hope you have enjoyed my Show and Tell. All of these bunnies were bought at my favorite store in recent years. (I am just waiting for the Easter stuff to be marked down more... there are a couple of bunnies I have my eye on!) :) Drop by Kelli's blog to see more Show and Tell and just have a look around, she has a beautiful blog!

Have a good Friday!

Blessings!
Charity

Favorite Books

I am currently rereading the Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It's been quite a while since I've read the entire series. (Don't be to surprised if you see quotes popping in here from time to time!) :)

When I was a girl, I identified a lot with Laura. I admired her pioneer spirit. I'm sure many little girls also identified with her. As I am reading these books again, for the first time in years, I find myself identifying more with Charles and Caroline (Pa and Ma). I see more the anxieties of raising a family and combating the hardships of the times.

I've always loved history anyway. Maybe Laura and others like her had something to do with that. Reading these books and others made history come alive for me as a girl. It wasn't just dates and battles. History became something real that happened to real people and children. Just as we are living through events now, these people lived in history. Their current events has become our history.

My family has some similar stories. It's amazing to know that if my Great (times 2 or 3) Grandfather would have made different choices, I wouldn't be here. Maybe I'll share some of those stories sometime.

So what are some of your favorite books as a child? There is something about these books that have impacted children for generations. They become stories that we return to over and over again. (To read my past post on Rereading, click here.)

Quick Reviews

I just wanted to share glimpses of a couple of films that we have enjoyed recently. When I find quality entertainment, I like to pass it on. I hope that more and more companies will start producing clean, family friendly, quality films!

First is Fireproof. It was released on dvd last week. It is the third of the movies produced by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. Each has improved in quality. The other two are Flywheel and Facing the Giants. Here is a trailer for Fireproof:

I know Fireproof has received a lot of news coverage in the Christian sector, but it deserves it! It is very clean, although the theme may not be appropriate for younger children. I love the fact that in the scene where the character played by Kirk Cameron is kissing his wife, Kirk is actually kissing HIS wife who is standing in for the actress that plays in the film. This film company is doing their best to bring honor to God in their films, and it shows! We need to show them our support.


The second film was very enjoyable and a sweet story. It is put out by Hallmark, a company that has put out several family friendly films, though I can't say I highly recommend all their productions. I greatly enjoyed this one, The Magic of Ordinary Days. This film was recommended by Michele at Whatsoever Things are Lovely. Here is a montage of clips put to music: (I couldn't find a trailer.)

I am looking forward to adding this dvd to my collection. Until then however, it can be viewed in 15 parts starting here. It is very clean and refreshing. I liked the more relaxed pace and beauty of the film. It begins in 1944 and includes some interesting histoy. Livy's dresses are beautiful (I wish I could find some like them!) :)

Has anyone else seen either of these? I would love to know what you thought about them! Maybe someone has some other suggestions for enjoyable clean films!

Blessings!
Charity

Blogging year in review

It is so hard to believe 2008 is almost over. I know it sounds cliche to say it, but they year has certainly flown by. Kelli is hosting a peek through the past year, and I thought it would be fun to join in! The guidelines are to post the first sentence of the first post of each month and a favorite picture from that month. I hope you enjoy mine. (and if you want to figure out the rest of the post, you are welcome to explore my blog in the sidebar!) :)

January

Well, for all of you waiting in suspense for the identity of my top secret Christmas projects, here they are!! :)

February
Yeah, they are done!!! (finished my first pair of socks)


March
As of today, I have been blogging for one year.


April
Certain crafters have a certain identity.



May
I love ivies.


June
And can I yet delay
My little all to give?
To tear my soul from earth away
For Jesus to receive?


July
My Dear Friends,

I venture to communicate this evening in a manner that I am not accustomed to writing and, I dare say, that you are not accustomed to reading.


August
I haven't done a whole lot of crafting this week, so I decided to share an older project with you today.


September
27 years ago, you came into this world with soft brown hair and baby blue eyes. (Guest post from my hubby, for my birthday.)

October
More Bows!! I have discovered how much fun it is to make bows!


November
Vote and Pray!!!


December
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

I hope you have enjoyed this blogging year in review. I have enjoyed looking over the events of the past year - some joyful and some sad. The blessing is that God is with us in each event of our lives and He works all things together for our good. Mark and I have been so blessed by God in the past year and we are looking forward to the many blessings in store for 2009!

Blessings!

Once Upon a Time...

there were four little Rabbits, and their names were - Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter...

Many children have grown up with the adventures of Peter and friends. He has become a household name since his popularity with the first published book in 1901. Gracie, my "adopted niece," really enjoyed Peter for a while, and still does. I think she was always a little afraid of "Mr. Gregor." :) I have collected a few various items relating to Peter and Beatrix Potter.

The dress and the book at the far left were mine as a little girl.

I love this set of books. They are just the right size! They are also very similar in size and setup to those that were originally published by F. Warne & Co. in the early 1900's.


I found these two Peter's at a garage sale and couldn't resist them! :)


I love the movie Miss Potter. I don't own it (yet) but I did find this book at a discount book store. It has a lot of interesting facts about Beatrix's life as well as about the movie.


Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter
(Image Source)
Speaking of the movie, I highly recommend it! I have enjoyed it multiple times. It is very beautifully filmed and is mostly accurate. I think it is very true to the person of Beatrix Potter and how her personality might have been.

For more Show and Tell visit Kelli's Blog.
Thanks for dropping by! Feel free to look around while you are here.

Blessings!

A Past Epistle

My Dear Friends,

I venture to communicate this evening in a manner that I am not accustomed to writing and, I dare say, that you are not accustomed to reading. However, I feel that when you have discerned the nature of this communiqué that my motivation for the manner of speaking will become clear to you.

I am sure that many of you are familiar with the writings of a certain author, namely Jane Austin. I have, within the past few years become acquainted with a few of her writings especially those novels Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Pride and Prejudice the later two of which I have read and now have as a part of my extensive literary collection.

I have also become familiar with an author of a similar nature and time, Elizabeth Gaskell. Although I have not been so fortunate as to add any of her works to my collection, rest assured, I will when such might become available to me and as expenses allow. I first became familiar with her works through the writings of a certain commentator who writes by the pen name Lady Lydia. I have seen moving picture stories of the titles of Wives and Daughters and Cranford. I also, when convenient, have ventured to listen to an audio adaptation of the former.

The merits and virtues of these authors and the subsequent adaptations may be familiar to you, but please allow me the privilege of recounting them here.

The manner of conversation is most refreshing. The mode of speaking is gentle and shows no lacking in education. This speaks of an age in which people spent time enriching their minds, instead of inundating themselves with senseless media and constant entertainment. There is a lack of the coarse language that is so prevalent in today's society.

Not only are the chosen words of merit, but the manner in which they are spoken as well as the manner of conduct is most admirable. Kindness and gentility emanates from the characterization of both heroes and heroines of these works of fiction – although as familiar
as these characters are, they hardly seem to be works of fiction at all, rather accounts of historical events. But I have been diverted. Their methods of conduct are most gentile to even the most deplorable of humans as well as to those in their immediate familial circles. The
heroes are gentlemen in most every respect, but especially so in their dealings with the fairer gender. How we are lacking in these aspects in today's society. We are often unkind even to those we love, perhaps not so much intentionally as through lack of thought – the latter, I fear to have been guilty of myself from time to time. Not only is there a lack of kindness, but I also observe that chivalry is today gasping for breath amongst those that should be reviving it. I feel this is in part brought on by the anti-female group often referred to as "feminists." This "liberation of women" has done much to lower the character and respectability of many an unsuspecting female.

My purpose in this missive is not to have bored you. I sincerely hope that has not been the result – although if you have read thus far you must have been moderately amused which as I am sure you have realized, was entirely my intention in using this manner of speech. Although the content, I hope, has been edifying. I hope you will take time, if you haven't already, to delve deeper into the works of the authors that I have listed here. I hope, at a later time, to address myself in more detail to these works. Although it isn't likely that I should use this manner of speech – one can only take certain things so far.

Until then, I remain ever truly yours,



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Pictures compliments of:
www.jasa.net
www.anotherthink.com
Wmagazine.com
wikipedia.org