With hopes of Spring

I've been tying to lighten things up a bit with hope of an early spring...Our local market had primrose on sale 2 for $5 and I couldn't pass them up. I love how sweet they look nestled in my Gram's coffee pot.

But I'm afraid that my hoping is all that it is. We're battening down the hatches for another Nor'easter.

They're calling for 12-18" of snow, Thursday into Friday.

With hurricane winds expected, they're also predicting power outages and for roads to become impassable. Here we go again... At least I can think Spring with all my pretty pink depression glass - they were also treasures passed on to me by my Gram.

Be sure to stop by Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound - for some wonderful Pink Saturday fun!

Soft Pink at The Old Parsonage

I just love vintage table linens. I found this little beauty at our local Thrift Store during my lunch break the week before Valentine's Day.


For $3.oo I couldn't resist, and then when I got to the register they told me the entire store was 25% off -BINGO!


I often think about the people who took the time to make these type of heirlooms. Were they young or old? How much pride they took in their homes and family, taking the time to bring beauty into their everyday lives.


For this piece I imagine a young bride creating the detailed embroidery as she swings on a porch swing on a hot summer day, being mindful of the time so that she can make sure she has supper ready when her darling husband comes home.

I'm joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound - for some wonderful Pink Saturday fun.
Stop by and think about joining us next week!

Keeping up with the Jones'

I've started following so many blogs lately. You all have so many great ideas floating around out there, that I just can't help myself. When I'm pressed for time, I usually read them through Google Reader and then, when I want to comment click through to the individual blog. But I really don't like to do it this was. I much prefer to visit "in person," getting the whole experience through the look, colors and other pretties that have been added by the owners. Right now I have 550 new posts to read - according to reader (I'm really behind in reading and visiting).

Now granted several blogs have more than one post that I haven't read yet, but it's a whole lotta' love just out there waiting for me. Remember this potato chip from last year? It's just waiting I tell ya!



How do you keep up with the blogs that you love to read? Do you use Google Reader? If so, how do you like it?

Happy Birthday Pardner

This Friday we will be celebrating this 'lil pardner's 68th birthday.Isn't this photo adorable? A photographer came around with a pony and my Nanny just had to get one done of my Dad. The outfit seemed to fit perfectly!

My Dad has always had an enormous sweet tooth. And, I've always been there to help fill it. The first thing he does when they stop by to visit is check the kitchen counter to see what kind of goodies are there.



Well, at his January check-up the Doctor told him that his sugar was high. So, I haven't baked anything with him in mind. Now granted January was right after Christmas and he went hog wild eating everything that was in sight. But, I'm not taking any chances.

Does anyone have a tried and true recipe for a great sugar-free chocolate and peanut butter dessert? I always make him a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing for his birthday, but I'm sure if the flavors are the same he'll love it. I've found a few recipes on-line, but want something that someone recommends.

Thanks and I hope that you are enjoying your week!

I'm linking to Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday, be sure to drop on by!

Alice Tag Book Swap

Well, I'm jumping in with both feet. I've decided to join Karla Nathan at Karla's Cottage for her Alice Tag Book Swap. I'm very excited but a little nervous too! This is my first swap ever.

Do you know that I don't remember reading the book. I can see bits and pieces in my minds eye, but I can't really remember reading it. You know what that means...

Perhaps you'll join us -click on the photo for details.

Sharing the Love

You all know Beverly at How Sweet the Sound - she's our infamous leader for Pink Saturday. This week she needs something from us...She's having surgery today and I'd like to lift her up in prayer.

I'll leave you with a few Valentines that I made. ..


My apologies for the dark photos, the snowy days didn't offer much sunlight. This last photo is my favorite. I bought rolls of old tickets at a flew market about a year ago and love to use them. Well, it's back to work for me today. Wishing you all love and happiness!

Snow Day at The Old Parsonage

All totaled, we got about 24" of snow yesterday.


We lost power late last night and it finally came back on just a little bit ago.


With no power, we had no heat or water either! It was a little nippy in the house, but we piled on the covers and made it through.


DH went out for coffee this am and got stuck in a ditch. Luckily someone came by and pulled him out. No damage to him or the vehicle - praise God.


I'm so glad that I stopped at our local produce and flower junction on Tuesday for these tulips, they brighten my day!


You can barely see the barn in this photo and it's only about 2 car lengths from the back porch where I took this photo. The snow is so heavy on the pear tree that the branches are almost touching the ground!


We have a few yews down and lost about half of our old apple tree. But other than that we're just fine and dandy.

Just in case you were wondering what kind of cookies I decided to make - I made a double batch of peanut butter, and then we lost power. I still have more butter, so I'll do a double batch of chocolate chip today. Hope that you are all enjoying your day!

Giveaways

So many wonderful people are having giveaways. I've listed 3 of the ones that I found in my side bar - check them out!

Catching up at The Old Parsonage

My plans for a grand snowy weekend were thwarted. I got a terrible stomach bug late Friday night that had me incapacitated the entire weekend. I didn't realize the extent of the snow storm until Monday morning when I started my car for work. Thank goodness my men are such great snow shovelers - we got 18 inches.

We're getting blasted with another storm today. We shoveled about a foot around 11am and there's probably another 4 or 5 inches out there already. The weathermen are predicting a total of 18 with this storm too.

I made a huge breakfast of bacon, eggs, potatoes, fresh orange slices and hot coffee. Then, I put on a pot of Chicken Noodle soup so that when we came in from shoveling it would be ready for lunch.

Right now I have a half of a ham in the oven with homemade scalloped potatoes ready to go in soon. I'm debating what kind of cookies to make tonight - chocolate chip, peanut butter or oatmeal raisin. I'll probably do a batch of peanut butter and chocolate chip, but we'll see how tired I am after we shovel again.

I hope that you are all enjoying your day! I'm to visit all of you, I'll try to post some photos of our winter wonderland later tonight.

Snippets and such

I've been on a roll, crafting and creating this month.

With Valentine's Day just next weekend, I've been snipping and gluing, and of course glittering everything that isn't nailed down.

Does anyone know where I can get more of this wonderful delicate tinsel? I bought this years ago and haven't seen it since.

Don't forget to join Beverly and other fellow lovers of pink for Pink Saturday. Beverly at How Sweet the Sound gives so much of herself to each of us while planning this wonderful day. Thanks my friend!

The Birthdays

February brings Valentine's Day, and for our family, 5 birthdays.

I have all of the cards made and a list of gifts that I'm going to buy.


I just need to go shopping. Looks like it probably won't happen this weekend though, they are calling for a Nor' easter.

I'm actually looking forward to some snow. I have a list of comfort foods, warm toasty drinks and of course yummy desserts to make, and since it's a Saturday we won't have to go anywhere.

So, my plan is to go to the market tomorrow night to beat the crowds. Friday is typically my day to go to the market and I don't want to be in that mass mayhem. You know everyone and their brother will be out and about, buying bread, toilet paper and water!

Did you notice that several of the cards used the same stock? I had a lot of pieces left over from a scrapbook project and used every last piece. Waste not, want not. I'll probably spend a good amount of time in my studio this weekend too! What do you like to do when it's a cold snowy day?

Lose the 'tude at The Old Parsonage

We have always had a "lose the 'tude rule" rule at The Old Parsonage. Meet Penny, she was instrumental in enforcing this rule.


When the boys were young and had an attitude they got one warning, if they didn't change their behavior, they paid Penny 1 quarter from their allowance. If they talked back, the cost was 1 quarter. After awhile we took away the warnings and they had to pay immediately.


I'm happy to report that Penny never became full enough that we had to empty her and she's been with us for over 17 years. I was thinking as I took this photo, that I just might, pull the cork and see how much she's got in her plump little belly and split the money between the "men." I think that they'd get a kick out of knowing where the money came from. Does anyone else do anything like this?