Back Yard Slowly Coming Together

I just had to post a picture of my Peony Bush in bloom since the blooms are so short lived, they probably would look better, but the hard rain we had beat them down.

This is a picture of my trellised rose it blooms white roses, I have buds now and a bird has made her home there. I will post once it blooms.

You've been probably wondering why I have that little fireplace their, well I bought it at a yard sale and the stand was missing. My plan was to plant in it but I never have, maybe this year. I really don't know what might look good in there without hiding the view of the stove. I looked in the top this morning and a spider has eggs in there, sorry if I was wrong, but I sprayed them with insecticide.

This is a side view of the patio, the front area not so presentable right now. I always wait until the pollen is done falling before I clean in here, so yesterday I vacuumed and then washed everything down with the hose. I will post the inside after I'm done with everything.

This is the area I've been working on, there was a above ground pool there, and I've been taking it down. What's left is the outside of the pool, we have it rolled up and it's very heavy. My husband is the hauler, but he has to have help with this one, and I'm just not the one to help. So it's sitting for now. I don't know yet what to do with this area, maybe just keep it simple and let the grass grow over. I've also taken up the step stones that were leading out there. I could use the area to pitch the tent for the grand kids, we plan to let them camp out during their stay sometimes. Last summer when we bought it, we had the 8 grand kids and my nephew for a week. Our plan was that the boys would camp one night and the girls one night, my husband staying with the boys and I with the girls, thank God it rained both those nights planned. LOL There's a plug out there where the pump was connected and I have a TV with a video player so they could watch some old movies. Anyways I'll let you know what I decide on. Have a great day! I'll be in the yard, it's going to be a beautiful day, only 67 degrees and there's more disaster than what I showed you. Deb

My Lips Shall Praise Thee

Yesterday on our way home from my husbands nephew's house warming, our eyes were allowed to behold this glorious sight. To some this may only be a storm brewing, but to me it's proof of our magnificent God. Thank you Jesus, for I am in awe at your majesty.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained ; What is man, that thou are mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalm 8:3-4

I will praise thee, O Lord with my whole heart, I will show forth all thy marvelous works.

Psalm 9:1

O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: His right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Psalm 98:1

New Banner from Pearl

This is one of four banners that were made for me by Pearl of Pearl's Sentimental Journey. Pearl had done a new banner for LeAnn @ Pink Icing On The Cake, I made a comment on LeAnns's post that I really loved her banner and that I wish Pearl could make one for me. Well Pearl saw the comment, and my wish came true. Pearl made for me four lovely new banners, one of which I'm displaying. I will be alternating each banner from time to time, but get this, not only did she give to me four new banners, but my post for today. Thanks Pearl, you're a Jewel!

Oh, I want to add that I'll be out all day and part of the evening. Deb

Meme Time

I found this meme on a blog I was browsing, jotted down the categories, but fogot to jot down the blogs name, and I'm so sorry that I can't link back to them, I searched around to try and find where I had seen it but had no luck. There was an invitation to anyone that wanted to participate, so here goes.

What was I doing ten years ago:

1. I was working outside the home
2. I was a single parent raising a family of three
3. I was driving a 1996 Chevy Cavalier
4. I was in church with my children every Sunday morning and Wednesday night
5. I was dating my current husband

Five things on my to do list:

1. Go to the post office
2. Remove a desk from my grand kids room to give them a little more floor space
3. Pick Kandace up from school
4. Check on my Aunt
5. Watch What Not To Wear

Five Snacks I enjoy

1. Ice Cream
2. Potato Chips
3. Dry Roasted Nuts
4. Peanut butter and Graham Crackers
5. Cottage Cheese and Cling Peaches

Five Things I Would Do If I Where A Billionaire

1. If I had just come into the money, I'd get on my knees and say "Thank You Jesus". I would pick 10 Church's, 10 charity organizations, 10 research hospitals and 20 random families in need, that I do not know, to share 10 million dollars.
2. I would pay off all of our obligations
3. I would give to family
4. Hire a financial planner, I would want to keep the home that I'm in now, (unless it proved not to be a good idea) add a story that would house only the Master Suite, put in a pool and hire a pool guy ( and swim every morning ) in the summer.
5. I would take a small trip some place every month and plan a big trip that included family members once a year

This was a hard question because, I don't know what I'd do.

Five Of My Bad Habits

1. I start projects and allow them to consume me, then rush to do things I should be doing
2. I bite my lips, they are chapped a lot, my husband is constantly saying "stop biting your lips"
3. I'm the world's biggest procrastinator, my worst situation is that I put-off until the last minute to pay bills and have to make an over the phone payment to avoid lates fees, but in most cases it still cost me extra money. (I know, terrible waste) :O(
4. I kick off my shoes where ever, misplace my keys, and have to search for them most every time I need them.
5. When I'm angry, I have a problem listening to my 17 year old daughter's point of view when we're in an argument, and I know that's what escalates the situation. (I'm trying) but, she can make me so mad.

Five Places That I've Lived

1. I lived with my Aunt from age 6 until 13 after my mother passed
2. Then with my father from 13 after he remarried
3. When I married I lived in Birmingham with my husband until we moved to Buffalo New York where his father lived, they fell out with each other so we moved back after about a year and a half
4. When we moved back we lived with his mother until we found a place, :O(
5. Now, still in Birmingham with my second husband, but happy

Five Jobs That I've Had

1. S. H. Kress - lunch counter (this was my first job)
2. Grocery store clerk
3. United Healthcare - claim processing -
4. Buffalo Rock/Pepsi Plant - Production Worker - Job- Depal Operator (but we had to know how to operate every machine because we had to go where we were needed.
5. Homemaker

I will tag one, but anyone that wants to participate can, please let me know if you do so, because I would love to know more about you. Im tagging Tress.

The Cozy Parsonage

You Make Me So Happy

Hi everybody, I'm feeling so overwhelmed by happiness today as I did yesterday. I was wondering why, and aside from being alive and loved by a magnificent God and my family, it has to be you. Some of you may not know but, I'm a stay at home mom, the definition of homebody; and I have a mouth that is non stop. I love to talk, but mostly all of my family and friends are working during the day, so it has been such a pleasure to meet you guys and visit your homes, your lives, and dreams. I want to tell you that you have all made me feel so welcome on my visits and I welcome you as well, as you visit with me. You know God is so good He always has a scripture pertaining to all things in life and I would like to share this one with you.
It's 1Peter 4:9-11, and it reads..."Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

Finally The Nerve

This is my hall bath. I never had the nerve to post on RMS, they would have eaten me alive. So outdated they would have said LOL, but it just so happens that I really love this bath and don't plan on changing a thing. Not a thing other than changing the saloon doors to a french door or the cabinet hardware if I find something very pretty. I love it, change, save it for the next person that gets this house.


The medicine cabinets were already here when I moved in, which are behind the mirrors, so were the light fixtures, I found the shelf and pictures at Marshall's. This is not the wall paper that was here, it's paper that I chose. I picked up the little angels at Cato's.


I love the color of the counter tops, it's actually a softer color than it shows on the pictures. I found the soap dispensers and other accessories at Marshall's. I use the smaller ones for cotton balls and facial pads.

I thought they turned out to be a perfect match to the sink faucets.

This is the wall across from the sink there is a linen closet not pictured. The mirror and pictures I found at Marshall's, the birds and jar I found at a yard sale. 2.00 for the pair of birds, and 25 cents for the jar.

This is the bath area, the tiles show true to color here, you wont believe I found these curtains at a Family Dollar Store for 8.00 a pair. This is exactly the style I wanted for the bath because I wanted it to take on a Victorian Motif. The mirror, to the right I found at Kirkland's. I'm not at all happy with the towels but they'll do until I find what I want. Oh the picture, Marshall's and the candle holder The Homestead House.

I used the same curtain for the shower, I had to sew a pocket on the backside to allow for the size of the curtain rod. "Sew Simple"

I was actually sitting in the tub when I took this picture, clothed mind you, Just thought I'd be silly. :O)

Awarded and Tagged - What A Blessed Day

I been awarded by Kindra at 3 Guys A Girl And A Prim Place to receive the "You Make My Day Award" Kindra to me is a very kind person, (and not just because its in her name) a loving stay at home mother and wife, and quite a talented artist. She could start her own business from home if she finds the time.

I will share my award with...

Ruespeanutbutterandjellylife

Rue, I know you already have one, but you are fun girl, and have made my day from the start, plus you have always been there for me.

Back Porch Musings

Pat, I know you already have several, and you deserve them all, and maybe I'm not following all the rules, but this one is for J. For always being there for you.

The Cozy Parsonage

To Tress for caring.

A Lady's Quest

Just for being you, you're quite a lady.

Picket's Place

Dot, you're a wonderful writer.

Terrie's Lil' Piece Of Serenity

Terrie, you make my day just by stopping in, its always good to see your face.

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I've also been tagged by Kindra to share six random things about myself.

My Six

1. I make mini movies of my husband sleeping on the couch (snoring) and play them back on TV when he least expects it.

2. I buy clothing that I fall in love with in the size I wish to be, with hopes of being inspired to lose weight to that size, and haven't worn the first piece yet. :(

3. I hope to write a book someday, something I have in common with my tagger.

4. My 17 year old daughter Kandace and I are butting heads most of the time, though it hasn't affected our love for one another.

5. For this one, I asked my husband to give one random thing about me and his answer was, that I never let him leave the house without out kissing me good-bye (said sarcastically, as he was leaving the house).

6. I believe that my husband and myself will be together until death.

I will invite all who reads this and wishes to participate to do so. Me

BLESSINGS UNTO THE LORD!

I'm inviting you all to share blessings with me unto the Lord.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

PSALMS 34:1-4

On The Road Again

This time I'm on my way to Big Lots, I saw cushions for the front porch that I want, I love this street in my neighborhood it's always so peaceful with all the trees I had to take a picture of it.

There it is in the distance, there are quite a few stores in this little mall. There's Food World, Cato, Peebles, Hibbett, ABC Store, Sally's Beauty Supply, Glenn's Jewlers, GNC Live Well, Citi Trends, The Dollar Store, Big Lots, and Rent-A-Center.

Here they are, they're reversible, floral on one side and stripe on the other. They have zip out cushions for easy cover cleaning and they claim to have UV treated fabric that's resistant to fading and stains. They don't have as much stuffing as I want but that's an easy fix, I'll just use the stuffing from my old ones to make these how I want them.

This is what I'm facing now, the sun completely faded the cushion covers and the furniture. The furniture was black and now its a dusty charcoal gray. The cushions were the same color as the house trim with a litte black woven in but now they are who knows what color. And the leaves and dirt from the winter has left the patio floor a dirty mess but that's a job for "Super Man", (my husband) he'll have to break out the pressure washer. Yuk!

In this picture I'm starting my painting, I painted one strip so you can see the difference. The sun had really done a number on this, I hope next year I won't have to paint again. Floor again, Yuk.

Ok, here I'm done with the painting, looks better already.

My husband still has to do the pressure washing but he promised he'll do it this weekend, but I did do some heavy sweeping. Still I can't wait until its done.

The steps down from the stoop, it's a sunken patio.

This is the fabric on the flip side, I don't know which one I like better. I'll take suggestions.

Just a few plants and my aunt's Geranium, I'm taking it to her tomorrow. The plaque was given to me by my cousin, she knows I love anything pertaining to the garden. Its reads "Sit And Relax In My Garden. Thanks Marie, you are very special to me.

This is just a side view, everythings planted but they haven't grown up yet, I will post a front view when everything has matured. Now I'm moving to the back yard and back patio. Will post.

TIMES GONE BY....REMEMBER?

These are things that were either given to me, found at yard sales, and thrift stores, but they remind me of...


Grandmother's house or some other older relative. These times where God fearing for most, and you almost always found some form of the Last Supper or Jesus waiting at the gate. These were a must have for me and I have them displayed in my Den.


These items I found at yards sales, the two trays at one, and the car at another. The trays I had to have because my mother, deceased when I was six, had some of these displayed on the coffee table. They reminded me of her, and the car because it was a trinket from a wedding that I had no connection to, but definitely something you won't see anymore.

It even has the names of the couple, and the date and year they were married. It reads Pat and Gary, Sept. 9, 1967.

I'm sure everyone remembers the Trinket Box, the Swan, and the Basket of Flowers; only the basket has lost it's handle but I keep it anyway.

OMG!, don't forget the ceramic doggies. About ten years ago when I moved into this house one my church members gave me a basket of goodies and these little dogs were included. I Love them they are displayed with others of its kind.

These Ballerinas were given to me by a co-worker she had them on her desk, I amired them one day and she just gave them to me. Aren't they beautiful?

The lady in the middle was included in the lot, but I don't think that she is a part of the group but I group them together anyway and pretend that she's the ballet instructor.

This little cuspidor with cherubs all around I found in a little antique and gift shop years ago, this was not an antique but I loved it, so I have it.

This cute little rabbit I think I bought from Marshall's it was near Easter one year and it reminded me of a yester year bunny.

Remember when everyone was decorating with Sunflowers? So was I. It had to be about 14 years ago, I found a sunflower vase at Wal-Mart and I loved it so much. One day my boys were horsing around and broke it. I went to every Wal-Mart here in town trying to find another one but with no luck. Then about a month later my oldest daughter came home with it, she was out town and had gone to Wal-Mart and from her hands to mine. If you read my profile you'd know that she's no longer with us so the vase is very sentimental to me. Then my neice gave me the frames I love them too, and they house my favorite scriptures Malachi 1:6 and Galations 2:20.

These I found at the flea market, 25 cents each. You can't tell but the background it burnt orange crushed velvet, and I use these believe it or not, in my downstair den.

And here they are along with this welded abstract that I found at a thrift store.

I think they fit into the decor very well. A little old and little new.

STILL PREPARING MY GARDENS

Saturday I bought landscape lights for the front of the house, after putting them out yesterday I needed two extras. I remembered when I bought them there was only one box left. Fearing that it would be gone when I got there and having to drive far to the next closest store, I grabbed my husband and off we went .

The sky looked as if the bottom would fall out any momment.

But we continued on, I was on a mission.

Finally, were here! We hurried inside.

Wow it was still there, and with many more. I asked my husband if he thought we needed more but he said not. I loaded it into the basket and pressed on. Right to the garden center.

They had beutiful bedding plants and baskets.

But what I'm really drawn to is, May Night Salvia, the purple ones. I love these and I can use a few more. I got three plants but will probably split each one into three.

This morning after dropping Kandace off at school, I stopped at Lowes and bought Red Salvia and a 8" pot of Dwarf Coreopsis, the yellow plant. My background now has a picture of a Dwarf Coreopsis from one of my front beds. I will split it also, maybe into four. I got the Begonias at Wal-Mart, while doing a little grocery shopping this morning.

And I also picked up this Geranium for my aunts birthday.

This is a picture of one of my landscape lights they came with stakes and hangers, so I staked some and hung some. I will show all after my planting is done, I can't wait until the plants mature. What? Of course that's where I'll be the rest the day. Happy Planting. Deb