~Jammin Time At The Cabin~

My berry patch is full of sweet juicy blackberry's

coming up ripe for eaten, cobblers and "jam".

Time for Blackberry Jam

Last year we lost over  half of our crop to those

nasty black birds. We picked every other day, those

birds were still beating us up.

So this year we invested in bird netting, now I thought

this was going to be a waste of time.  You can just imagine

the grief it took putting that fine netting over the berry bushes, 

not to mention that at every pickin you had to crawl under it!

So far so good, the blackberry's are in tact, 

the birds are confused and I am a happy jammer!

Today I made my first 2 batches of yummy blackberry jam!

Why is it that July and Jam makin always occur 

at the same time.

Bad enough it is 95 in the shade in southwest Missouri, 

then heat up the house even more with steamy hot

 boiling berry sauce.  

My of my that savory smell, the first

warm taste from licking the spoon...

makes me giggle with delight and proud

that I still continue the family tradition

of Jammin in July.

Come December when the days are short

with a cold chill in the air, I will wrap my jars

of jam in pretty paper and deliver them

to family, friends and neighbors.

My body, soul and spirit is warm again .

Thank You for visiting today
                Connie

Playtime

We all need empty hours

in our lives

or we will have no time

to create or dream. 

I managed to find a  few hours

of playtime,

and my oh my was it ever fun.

Showing off two make overs...

Before Pic

Vintage side chair with nice lines, tapestry seat

and carved floral inset.

After Pic

Sanding to take off the glossy finish,

continued with 2 coats whitewash technique

then dry brushed on the third coat

using a latex flat white paint. 

Seat cushion covered with cotton fabric.

Since this fabric was cotton I went right over the

tapestry fabric, easy...

Before Pic

Vintage 6 leg side table.

After Pic

After sanding I painted

two coats of latex flat white paint,

sanding after each coat.

I liked the results of the whitewash technique

 much better, "no sanding after painting".

  The table top was left in it's natural finish

adding only a coat of minwax paste wax.

 

 This is a redo in progress, 

updating my guest bedroom.  

15 years ago I added the wallpaper and

floral border to grey paneled walls.

 I like the grey walls and decided to

work around the wallpaper

( I was not going to tackle stripping the paper)

"Vintage Farmhouse Country Guest Room"

As you know I like to decorate with  items

as true to the time period as possible.

The room is almost completed and will

continue to update you on it's progress.

I am still working on getting Mr B to remove

the carpeting. I know there are wood floors

or maybe board floors just waiting to be

exposed and painted a pale shade of grey. 

"One can only hope"

This is my first project since back surgery

last February.  I have to take it slow,

the ole back lets me know when it is time to stop.

I will end this post with this thought...

 

My childhood may be over,

but that doesn't mean 

playtime is!

                       Connie

 

~Home of the Free~

Memorial Day - 

not just a day off!

Monday is a day to pay tribute

to those who died fighting

for the peace and freedom

we enjoy today.

"Thank You"

"Thank You"

"Thank You"

"Thank You"

Home of the Free

Because of the Brave

"Thank You" 

             

             

Rosemary

Mothers hold

their children's hands

for a short while

but their hearts

forever

" My Mom Rosie

 with her girls"

Mom, Jane, Mary, Jackie and Connie

This pic was taken  1992

at my sister Mary's first baby shower.

I don't remember what was said

but it sure made us all laugh.

Bunch of silly girls.

We love you and miss you Mom, 

You are in our hearts

Forever

Our Mom

 Rosemary

~Spring Has Arrived~

 Wildflowers...

delicate simplicity,
peaceful beauty,
sensual fragrance,
enduring presence,

reminding us once again,

Spring has arrived!

All things seem possible in May. 

April's blooms of

white lilacs, tulips,
wild violets, yellow  buttercups
have faded away,
making room for the
flowers of May.

All things seem possible in May.


I am hoping and praying the warmth and beauty of May
will continue to bring strength into this ole body of mine.

I want to thank all of you for your concern,
 sweet regards and warm wishes. 

How beautiful a day can be
When kindness touches it!
~George Elliston

A short update on my progress.

I returned to work March 23, five weeks after surgery.
A little soon yes, but in order to return to my same position
that was the date given to me.
The first two weeks were a bit rough,
 however the following weeks have gotten better. 
 I have come to the conclusion that my back
will never be the same again.
Lifting and bending are my worst enemies.
Learning to live with that knowledge
is the hardest part, however
no pity party here,  a realization I will conquer.

The sun won't shine
Until you put the umbrella away.

My umbrella is closed, I am blessed.


May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.
~Irish Blessing

All things seem possible in May.

                                        Connie 

 

~Recovery Day Six~

Faith - Hope - Joy

Weave in Faith 

 and God will find the thread.

You've got to have Hope,

without Hope life is meaningless.

Strength will bring Joy,

Joy will strengthen the Spirit.

This is recovery day six from back surgery on Feb. 12th

With Faith, Hope and Joy 

I am getting stronger each day. 

They tell me surgery went well.

Guided by our heavenly Father,

I put my faith and trust in the Doctors skilled hand.

Now it is a matter of time, 

taking it easy,

no bending, lifting, stretching...

letting this old body heal.

Thank you for all your prayers,

they bring joy to my heart

and peace to my spirit.

 

When prayers go up,

Blessings come down.

 

 

Peace and Light

"Man loves company

even if it is only 

that of a small burning candle"

                                                     George C. Lichtenberg

May your day be filled 

with peace and light.

                             Connie

~Remembering Laura~

"Remember me with smiles and laughter,

for that is how I will

remember you all.

If you can only remember me with tears,

then don't remember me at all."

                                                  Laura Ingalls Wilder

Thank you "prairie girl",

we will never forget you.

Happy Birthday!

2/7/1867

2/10/1957

                                                Connie

~Everyday Blessings~

As the years pass, 

I am coming more and more

to understand

that it is the common, 
everyday blessings

of our common everyday lives

for which we should be

particularly grateful.
                                                               Laura Ingalls Wilder
 

"Thank you for visiting today"

~Put The Umbrella Away~

I've got dreams in hidden places

And extra smiles for

When I'm blue

Today is a sharing day.

Have I taken things for granted?

God the Father has blessed me

many times over.

 Precious family, sweet grandchildren,

crazy fun friends,

 possessions, dreams,

health, contentment and love.

I have been a bit blue of late, 

no, I have been done right upset with myself.

I have always had an inner strength attitude,

a place where I can think, reason, ponder.

A happy place where dreams are imagined,

problems are solved.

My place, my private place, I am in control.

I am no longer in control and it is scary.

Yes, God is in control and I have given this up to Him.

I know my faith will carry this burden,

but the unknown is frightening.

These past months I have been dealing with health issues.

Did I take my health for granted?
Maybe a little,
 when it is taken away you ponder the what if's.

If I hadn't lifted those heavy logs,

 but how I loved bringing my cabins to life.

If I hadn't restored that heavy furniture,

awesome challenge and so much fun. 

If I hadn't taken my job so seriously,

an honest days work for an honest wage.

I miss working side by side wth
my soul mate and best friend Mr.b.

I have been on leave of absence since Dec. 1st.
dealing with degenerated disc's in my back.

Shooting spasms of pain from my hip area

down my leg into the bottom of my foot.

First Round - MRI and lots of pill pushing

pain pills, nerve pills, muscle pills.

Second Round - epidural shot in spine.

Third Round - surgery

 next week meeting with the surgeon.

Hopefully soon, with skilled hand of a Doctor

and the guidance of our Heavenly Father,

I will be back on feet, good as new.

Into your hands

I place my worries,

cares and troubles.

Into your wisdom

I place my path,

direction and my goal.

Into your love

I place my life.

The sun won't shine
Until you put the umbrella away