Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Blue Bird of Happiness

Four years ago the Blue Bird of Happiness flew in
And announced a big change in my life
Well he's back!
I'm going to be a Grandma again!!
NO...it's NOT TWINS!
We just don't know if it's a boy or girl yet!
 We are all so thrilled!

They announced it like this!

"We are finally getting a keyboard player"
Tiger is thrilled that he is going to be a big brother!
And I can't wait to be a Grandma again!
And while I will be happy with either a boy or a girl
I 'might' have my fingers crossed for Pink!

I'll be sure to share it when we find out! 
Wishing you JOY,  

Linda

Monday, October 20, 2014

Charlie Visits The Vet

Charlie is 16 years old and I decided it was a good idea to have a complete checkup with blood work to check on his health.
Charlie was not impressed with the request to get in his travel tote.
I 'talked' him into it!
I found a great Vet at the Dog and Cat Clinic
Kasey Stopp, DVM is fantastic!
Charlie did NOT get a gold star, he was not a good patient!  The Vet and her assistant were so good with him, trying to calm him down.  He had vaccinations and blood taken.
He is in pretty good health but does have a few issues.  His Thyroid is sluggish and so he is on meds and we will recheck his levels in 4 weeks.  He has a slight heart murmur and his kidneys aren't working at 100%...both could be side effects of the Thyroid condition or old age.  She is hoping that he will improve with the meds, but if not we will continue to monitor him and see how he does. 
I was most impressed with her compassion and friendly manner.  It is always wonderful to find a caring Vet for our fur babies. 

This cutie had a spend the night with Grandma and we were having our 'coffee' together.  Tiger has his special mug he drinks out of when he is here.

My Mom turned 84 on Saturday and we had a family dinner.  It is so amazing that she is now living near me.  I am so happy and I think she is setteling into her new home and lifestyle OK.

So much to do this week but the sun is shining and all is well in my world!  
Thanks for sharing it with me.

Joining Kathe @ You're Gonna Love It Tuesday

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Thursday, October 16, 2014

$6.05 For All This!

Today I took a bag of things to the thrift shop and of course I had to look around 
and of course I found a few things!
They all fit into this blue gift bag!
and only cost $6.05

So what's inside?
Five books and a great little hammered metal container originally from Bed, Bath & Beyond
Some linens including a pink linen pillow cover for my bed and a cute Christmas burlap bag
Four placemats green and red plaid 
I can't wait to do a table with these at Christmas!
 
this gorgeous milk glass plate and three glass pepper ornaments
A pumpkin to craft with, a glass Christmas jar and this owl
He still has the paper Enesco sticker on the bottom
I think he is very cool!!

This thrift store supports Battered Women and Children and is my favorite place to shop here.
Nothing is priced (which usually drives me crazy) but it's always so inexpensive I never feel like I'm paying too much.  I like to support this store and boy do I!!  

Joining 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Monday, October 13, 2014

Thrifting Finds!

I'm downsizing more then buying these days, but I still enjoy the hunt and when I find something I need (or want) then I still get it!
Here are some of my recent finds!  
Of course my ever present helper thinks when I set things up for a photo 
he must be the center of it all!
Fun napkins and a cute kitchen towel
This great sectioned basket and a decorated broom that will be taken apart and re-purposed,
all of this was less then $2 at my oh so cheap thrift shop
Including this little bag of miniatures that I'm hoping someone with a doll house will enjoy.
I love these pop ups to hold Tiger toys 
I also found a few vintage items
The Pyrex lid and cute leaf bowl both .25 each
The cute green bowls were .10 each and are Harker ware.  I use these little dishes for so many things including wet food for Charlie.
This is one of my favorite finds in a long while
A Hall's Kitchenware bowl for $1.59
In the Morning Glory pattern.  

So as you can see it's all things I need!

I'm joining
Kathe @ You're Gonna Love It
Brenda @ Tweak It Tuesday
Thriftasaurus

Wishing you JOY,

Linda


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

A Purple Challenge!

When Kathleen challenged us to use purple for a Fall Tablescape (no orange!!),  I knew I was in trouble.  Purple is not a color I use much at all.
I do have two lunch plates a friend gave me that I love so I went from there.
I used green as my other color and started searching for the items in my stash 
to pull together this table.
When I found these purple place mats I bought at the Dollar Tree last summer, I was so happy.  The green plates are some of my basics that I use all the time
Then I added these pretty purple lunch plates
I have matching soup bowls but went with green to add the last layer
The green glass adds another texture to the plate stack.
I added a vintage green stem and the purple glass (also from the Dollar Tree bought for this tablescape) to add both colors to the place setting
Green handled flatware from my closet but the napkins are 'new'.  I didn't have anything in my linens that worked so off to the thrift I went.  I found these purple napkins 4/.99 except they were 1/2 price...yes only .49!  The wire and green bead napkin rings are also from my tablescaping supplies.
I'm happy with how this turned out! 
Now for a centerpiece...not as easy!
I bought the purple vase for .10 and already had the purple votive holders.  A green plant for some color and texture.
The green glass owl is a new addition to my Fall decor.  
My goal in these tablescaping challenges is to spend as little as possible and use what I have.  So I spent less then $5 on new items just for this table.

In addition to 
Kathleen Cuisine's Let's Dish
I'm also joining

Wishing You Joy,

Linda

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Remembering Paris!

It has been a year since my trip to Paris! 
What memories I made 
As I look back on that experience I know I will always remember it as such an amazing time in my life.  A year later I'm finally getting a few of my photos printed to put around my home.
This photo may look familiar, it's the one in my header.  I love the architectural look of this photo I took of the Eiffel Tower.  Not long ago I was contacted by Easy Canvas Prints and offered a free canvas for my honest review.  I agreed and ordered my 16 x 20 canvas print. It was easy to use the website and it arrived in a very timely manner!
I had a vintage frame I hung on the wall to accent it and I really like it so much!  It printed out more in sepia tones then black and white but it's perfect to me.

I also ordered a few prints from Shutterfly recently.  I got a large 16 x 20 print which I plan to frame and hang above my bed.
The flower markets were so amazing and this will look great in my bedroom.  Once I find a frame I will decide what color to paint it and then frame this print! 

I also ordered two smaller prints from Shutterfly
This 5 x 7 is a favorite photo taken on a very rainy day in Paris.  I love the misty Eiffel Tower in the background.  The photo has a small crease where my brilliant postman bent a Shutterfly cardboard envelope to put it in my mailbox!  GRRRR!

Another Eiffel Tower print.  This 8 x 10 was taken from one of the streets near my apt in Paris.  I love how the signs show up in color in an otherwise mostly black and white print.  It was early evening and I am so happy with how this turned out. 

I am still planning to get a few other prints of Paris and maybe of something other then the Eiffel Tower!  

As many of you who are regular readers of this blog know, I have been blogging less and less lately.  I have taken some time to decide if I want to continue to blog or not.  I've decided I do!  I love blogging and still have so much to share and I would miss you my friends so much.  I have been in a big transition in my life for the last year, but I think things are setteling down.  I love being able to share my life with you, my sweet Grandson Tiger, Charlie the Cat and my thrifty finds. 

Charlie and I are here to stay for bit longer! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda


Joining Kathe for You're Gonna Love It