Happy Birthday William John!

Today is our little grandson's 1st birthday party.  He's a real cutie-pie! I made this chipboard mini album for the occasion. These are my favorite little albums because they come with their own box to embellish. I used Cosmo Cricket's, Lil' Man paper...love the color combination. We're off to eat cake! Have a wonderful weekend.

Home Sweet Home

"Home is a

gift to be opened

 everyday"

--Mary Anne Radmacher

 For me, my home is my refuge, my sanctuary, my self portrait.

Home is where I can be me.

I can put fake daisies in old thermoses and vintage earrings in a wire nest if I want to.

I can name inanimate objects Matilda.

I can collect shiny things....

and chippy things.

I can display things that only I think are beautiful.

And I can view God's Majesty all around me.

Estate Sale Woes

One of my all-time favorite things to do is get up early on Fridays and head out to the local estate sales. We love them even more when they are unorganized and messy! That type of sale usually has an abundance of hidden treasures that require some digging which makes the prize even more valuable! Lately though, estate sales have become somewhat like going to battle. There are 5 times as many people at the sales now than a few years ago. Some people are unkind, pushy and rude. Last Friday I got to an estate sale 20 minutes early only to find out that we were taking numbers and I was number 56! The house was small and only 20 people or so could be in at a time.

I find it interesting to see what people are purchasing. Some, like me, are looking for vintage items, some are looking for books and videos only. Some of the men are looking for tools and some women are looking for jewlery. And then there are the people who I am sure I am going to see on the next episode of Hoarders. They are buying ugly knick-knacks, dirty pillows, blankets with holes in them and unopened packages of spaghetti. Now I do realize that we are in a down economy and some shoppers are looking for bargains but I see these, "hoarders" at most estate sales and their cars are jammed full. My husband says I am one to talk....I should let people into my barn and spare bedroom and let them judge for themselves.

I am not a hoarder. I am a repurposer (I think I made that word up). These vintage earrings willl become magnets...the thermos matches a larger one I have and both will be used as vases. The clear containers that once held face powder will hold scrapbook supplies as will the little tin molds. The vintage fabric will become accent flowers for pillows and other projects. The globe...hmmm....this globe is a 1948 large beautiful globe that I found at a second hand store and I don't know if it will go in a show or if it will stay with us. I think the surge in the amount of people attending estate sales is because of several things. The economy, ebay and Craig's List and the Go Green movement. People are wanting to recycle and re-use more and more which is a good thing....people are looking for things that they can sell on ebay and Craigs List and make a bit of extra cash. Some are making their living doing this. And some are finding great bargains on items that, in this economy, are difficult to budget for. Whatever the reason, it's making Friday mornings a lot more work these days.

A Surprise Inside

This is the most amazing renovation I have seen in a very long time...maybe ever!! Not because it's a barn, although I like vintage barns.

Not because they did a great job; it looks like they did......

Not because they stayed true to the barns design; thankfully they did.......

But because inside this barn is an amazing SWIMMING POOL!!!

Absolute genius! What a great use of this space. Congratulations to Landmark Services, the brains behind this project.

Photos from Willow Decor via Between Naps On The Porch

Smaller Portions

I'm experiencing a very serious love hate relationship with blogging lately! Yes, I actually used the word hate and blog in one sentence. I could literally spend the entire day looking at my favorite blogs, finding new and interesting blogs, searching a million links for amazing ideas and looking for inspiration for my own posts.  I am overwhelmed by all of your creativity, your devotion to family, your love and service to the Lord, not to mention your amazing photography skills. Sadly, therin lies the problem. I am spending too much time looking and not enough time doing. I guess I need to put myself on a blog diet. Smaller portions, less eye candy! Speaking of eye candy......

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Oreo Truffles

allrecipes.com

1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided 1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.

Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.

Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.