Quick Update

DH is finally home, he's getting better every day - praise the Lord! I just got him settled in the chair and he's napping. He's on a low-residue diet, so I put on a pot of chicken noodle soup for supper. Low - residue means no raw veggies or fruit, no high fiber foods and he's limited to 2 cups of dairy per day. He's just glad to be on solid food and out of the hospital.

Again, I can't tell you how much all of your thoughts and prayers have meant this past week. You all mean so much to me, that it's hard to express my heartfelt gratitude.

This photo is from last June, but I wanted to share it today. I stopped at the local market this am and bought a new Boston Fern for the fern box, but haven't had the time to snap a quick photo for you. I painted the box white last Saturday and am loving how the green of the fern looks against the white.

Enjoy your weekend!

Heartfelt Thanks

Just popping in to thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. DH's surgery went well on Monday and they moved him from ICU late yesterday. He's in a lot of pain but had a little more color in his face yesterday... which makes me feel sooo much better.

Again, thanks so much to all of you, my dear sweet friends. I'm off to hop in the shower and head to the hospital...

A little overwhelmed at The Old Parsonage

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed this week. I can usually cope and juggle everything that life throws my way. But this week so much is happening here at The Old Parsonage I'm feeling anxious all the time.



My MIL was hospitalized with chest pains on Monday. It turned out to be stress and not a heart attack, praise the Lord! Today is the anniversary of my FIL's death and I'm sure that added to her stress, besides the fact that she's been working 60+ hours a week as an Assistant Manager at a bank.

We visited the college that Bryan will be going to this Fall and also saw the apartment where he'll be living. It's a 45min drive from the apartment to classes each day, but he'll be renting from people that we know and they're giving us a great deal on the rent. Plus, they're opening a pizza shop in the building and Bryan will help them run it. So we're searching for scholarship money and doing loan prep.




Adam and Jade will be moving mid-June. He's been frantically sending resumes in hope of getting a job before he moves. She got a great teaching job in Houston, so he's looking for a Fire Company close by that's hiring. Know of any? He also has his EMT license, so that's a plus when filling out applications.




I may not be around too much next week. DH is having surgery on Monday and will be in the hospital for at least 3 days. I won't go into details as he is a very private person, but please keep him in your prayers.



BTW - Aren't the lilacs beautiful this year? I cut a ton and put them all over the house. The blooms are short lived, but the smell is just too wonderful not to bring them inside. Thanks so much for listening!

A great friend of mine, Kelli started a new blog called My Stampin' Pad. She is such highly energetic and creative person. Kelli is always on the go and her mind never stops. She is also a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and hosts our monthly Stamp Club. This calendar was one of her special classes. It's made using a cookie sheet. Please visit Kelli and let her know what a great time she'll have in the world of blogging, and tell her that I sent you!

Beauty Does Matter at The Old Parsonage

I won a giveaway from a sweet blogging friend, Bella from The Art of Living Beautifully. Bella's blog is so full of inspiration and encouragement to live a beautiful life. You simply have to pop over and check it out!


Bella shares photo's from her wonderful garden that make you feel like you are right there enjoying it with her. She also shares snippets from other blogs and products that are a must have to creating that beautiful life.


Can you see what I've won? Three lovely scented products to help me smell beautiful, while I'm busy adding beauty to The Old Parsonage. Thanks so much Bella, I treasure our friendship!

Can you smell the Pink?

These beautiful Cherry trees line our driveway. For a few weeks in the spring our driveway looks like a wonderland for little girls. There is a faint sweet scent that comes from the blossoms that makes you think that you're actually smelling the Pink.


Adam came for supper on Wednesday (Jade had to tutor). It was great to have the four of us at the supper table again. I miss those family meals, when the guys would come home from school or sports practice and fill us in on their days.

Wishing you all a sweet smelling Pink Saturday - be sure to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more pink!

Creativity comes to The Old Parsonage

I'm so sorry that it's taken me this long to show you the beautiful book of tags that I received from Karla's Cottage Alice Tag Swap. So many talented people from all over created the most wonderful tags.


Karla had everyone send her 6 tags (they could be all the same or different) and she made the cover tags. Then she put them all together and sent them to everyone who participated. The tag above is soo cute, and I'd love to compliment the artist, but unfortunately they didn't sign the tag.


This tag has such vivid colors and lots of dimension. Erica from zunkychic.com has a wonderful creative mind and it shows in the tag - love it my friend!


Rebekah created this beautiful 3 dimensional tag. Look how she made Alice's skirt from either crepe paper or a cupcake wrapper - so sweet and how about that diamond on her shoes -perfect!


Lynn from Blue Skies made this little beauty. It has such vintage charm and you all know how much I adore vintage charm - LOVE IT!!! There's even a small piece of "glass" for the looking glass.


This tag is soo whimsical that it immediately made me smile. The rabbit image is just draws you right in. But again, this tag wasn't signed either .

And last, but definitely not least this fantastic tag was created by Stephanie at Crowns and Pearls. The background is the perfect Alice in Wonderland blue and she included a little bookplate replica - just perfect!

A big thank you to Karla for all of the hard work and creativity she put into the whole project. If you haven't visited Karla, be sure to stop on by. She's offering a bribe for followers. Tell her I sent you!

I'd also like to thank all of the talented women who took the time to share a bit of themselves in this swap. It was wonderful to learn a little bit about all of you and see Alice in Wonderland through your eyes!

Sending you Love from The Old Parsonage

I found these cute chipboard books at my favorite scrap booking store - Treasured Inspirations. I couldn't wait to cover them with vintage styled, romantic papers!



I love how they turned out and now I can't wait to embellish them even further with laces, ribbons, buttons and photos. I'm sending my love to all of you! Hope that you are enjoying your day!

The Stool at The Old Parsonage

Well girls, this is the big reveal! I used a Kilz eggshell paint (2 coats), it went on soo smoothly.


Then I took a brown ink pad and hit the edges to give it an old, worn look. And it really is old so I'm not really cheating.


I dabbed the same brown ink on a sponge and wiped the whole thing down. I just didn't want a stark white appearance.


I covered the old wood and leather with this great pillow sham from the thrift store. I attached the sham using a staple gun - couldn't have been easier. And, did you notice how beautiful it is outside today? I've been busy planting and weeding and what not. Just having some fun! So, what did you do this weekend?

In progess at The Old Parsonage

I've had this little footstool for a few years now, just tucked away waiting for a make-over. Monday I ripped the top off and sanded the wood. I'm thinking that I'll paint it white and give it a shabby chic look. I have a pillow sham that has a pretty floral print on it that I'll use to cover the top. Stay tuned...

Pink Saturday at The Old Parsonage

My cousin Barbi had a baby girl last week - McKinzie Joy! I'm so happy for her and Ed. They have two beautiful sons - TJ and Bryce and now this sweet little bundle to love. I'll share photo's as soon as I get them.

I had the perfect vintage image to use on their card. Do you see my little cow-poke in the photo above? He's the one moving to TX. Looks like he knew he was going to be a cowboy, even back then.

And the weights? Well, I have been using them to tone my arms. They are 2lbs, but I think that I could use 5lbs. Summer's coming and so are sleeveless shirts - ugh!



Don't forget to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday fun!

A Good Thing

What a wonderful weekend! I spent Friday with two of my beautiful nieces, we colored eggs, we painted eggs, we laughed until our sides hurt. We watched movies...ending with Alice in Wonderland (I had the VHS from when our sons were little, so it's at least 20yrs old!) snuggled on the couch. My brother brought some beautiful Easter flowers when he picked up the girls. He's spent Easter with his new "friend" and her family, while the girls had the day with their mother. I'm so thankful that God brought them through this past year and the divorce. IT was rough, but they are in a much better place now.


Saturday was cleaning and cooking from sun-up 'til around 11pm. I didn't mind it though knowing that we are all going to be together to celebrate our Lord and all that he has given us! Speaking of cleaning (I have the day off) I have 3 loads of laundry hanging on the line to dry and have decided to clean out a huge stack of magazines that have been accumulating next to the piano. I thought that they were basically my DH's - WRONG! It was about 50-50, and I can't believe how old some are. I've gone through about 70 magazines, decided to keep a few and donate the rest. It's a good thing that I found blogs to read - you've all helped me to cut back on my magazine subscriptions!



Easter Sunday was so beautiful. The weather was perfect and we had such a wonderful day together. Adam and Jade told us of their plans to move to TX mid-June (you're going to have to help me get through this girls!). I'm really excited for them in theory, but I can't imagine them being so far away. I joke that they can move now, but when the get married and have babies, they have to move back here.

Wishing you all a wonderful week. I'll be checking in with you as I take breaks from cleaning.

Happy Easter

This is a busy weekend so I've decided to wish you all an early Happy Easter. I'm off to pick up my nieces, go to the butcher and the market, dye eggs, make candy and watch The Passion. That movie is so moving it bring me to tears. Has anyone else ever watched it?

Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting yet another Pink Saturday for all to share in.

Rejoice in the Lord and all that he has given us!