Pocket Letter Fun!

I shared with you the pocket letter swap I did here

Since then I've done several swaps and I've had the most fun making pocket letters.  I thought I would share a few of them.

My good friend Deb and I decided to do a friendship swap using a favorite color and things theme!

Look how cute it was packaged.  

Deb said she knows I love black and white

I DO LOVE IT!!  

She combined so many things I love; Paris, birds, flowers and friendship! 

The back was pretty also and she included all sorts of card making goodies! 

So this is what I sent Deb

I put lots of goodies in the pockets also! 

Another blogger friend Jill and I swapped!

I asked for Pink and she did an amazing job!

I sent her this one 

the back

Next up was Marie who saw me on a post and asked to swap with me.

This is so sweet and just a fun swap!

and what I sent Marie

I loved the colors and had fun making this!

I joined a Facebook PL group and have done one exchange and I'm working on two others.

Received from a sweet 20 yr old girl

I sent her

I took this photo before I was completely done with it.  I added a butterfly to the ribbon and some other things. 

I made a Halloween one to keep since I didn't have a swap partner.

This is the front...

And the back

This can be a great way to meet new people.  You are suppose to add a letter about yourself in one of the pockets and some people swap several times a year.  I hope to continue to do this as it's really fun.

I'm working on a Fall theme, Thanksgiving theme and I can't wait to do some Christmas themes. 

If you are interested in swapping, just let me know! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

X Means a Kiss!

X MEANS A KISS! 

Now the Question

  Why does an "X" mark stand for a kiss?

In medieval times, most people were unable to read or write. When it came time to sign a document, people who could not write usually made an "X" mark. Of course, an "X" is not much of a signature. To add a sense of commitment, it became customary to kiss the "X" after writing it. Kissing the "X" was "performance law," a ritual act that bound the parties the way legal documents bind us today. This act, witnessed by the person who wrote the text, represented a solemn guarantee of the truthfulness of what was written, and an oath to carry out whatever obligations were stated in the document. Over the years, the "X" and the kiss became interchangeable. Today, people who can read and write might still add one or more "X" marks to their letters, maybe with a couple of "O"s thrown in for hugs.

 I love this bracelet of x's and o's given to me several years ago

This was a favorite seen at a quilt show last year! 

Joining Jenny for

Alphabe-Thur

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

W is for White

Last week I shared my collection of green pottery so today I'm sharing my white pottery collection.

I display most of the white pottery (and some ironstone :) in the TV stand.

All of the white pottery and ironstone pieces have been found at thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets.  None of them cost more then a dollar or two at the most.

They are great to store decorative items in

or bills and letters like this one used on my desk

Ironstone sugar and creamers look great with the planter collection. 

Sharing this at Alphabe-Thur

Thank you for all the get well wishes for my family.  Everyone is well and back to school and work and I never did get it!!  Yay!  

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Happy Times!

We've been having some good days and some bad days (sickness) but lots of Happy Times here at A La Carte!

Today is my Mom's 85th Birthday! 

I am so blessed to have her still with me and in such great health.  Her mind is sharp and we have a great time together.  We decided on Olive Garden for her birthday dinner.

We planned on the whole family going out but sickness hit the Tabb household (strep throat, fevers) so it was just Mom and I.  We had a blast!

I ordered Chicken Marsala and Mom got one of their specials

Sausage Stuffed Giant Rigatoni

(we started eating right away but had leftovers to take home so I took photos of our orders)

Of course since it was Mom's birthday our adorable waiter brought her a dessert!

(she hates having her photo taken but I think she looks great)  When the manager stopped by to see how we were doing and found out it was Mom's birthday and she wanted to share her little dessert with me, well he went and got me one! 

It was delicious!  A little chocolate mousse Dolcini!

This week our little girl turned 6 months old!

Rosemary Scout is crawling and chasing Charlie Kitty when she is here now.  She is also...

Pulling herself to her feet!  Oh it won't be long now until she is super mobile!

Tiger is 4 and healing quickly from a strep throat that went through his school. 

I love how grown up he looks here! 

Things are setteling down a bit so I hope to be posting more often!  Fall is here and the leaves are staring to turn beautiful colors! 

Wishing you JOY, 

Linda

V is for...

I am sharing this post from 2010

V is for Verde

(aka green)

PLANTERS

I remember my Mom having planters on our coffee table with ivy in them.  The first one I found at a yard sale I fell in love with.

They have been very thrifty finds at yard sales, flea markets and occasionally at thrift stores

Most were purchased for 50 cents of less

My helper was making sure these two round planters were ready for their close up

 Mama these two look alike? 

 Just slight color variations

I had one and a good friend gave me the other

The shape of this one is interesting

Different 

But the same?

Love this shade of Verde

Chartreuse? 

This one has an interesting glaze

 Fish scale design

This planter was bought 2 years ago at the Longest Yard Sale for 50 cents ~ it is a bright green and made by Shawnee

I like the handles on this one

Very art deco

This planter is made by Maddux of California

There were many California pottery companies in the

40's - 60's

Many of my planters are unmarked or marked USA Calif

These planters have a home on my 
bakers rack in the screened porch
Hope you enjoyed V is for Verde  

Joining Jenny for Alphabe-Thur

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

U is for Umbrella

I have been stumped with something for the letter U but decided to share a couple of photos I took at the Belliago in Las Vegas and the Atrium decorated for Spring.

Joining Jenny for Alphabe-Thur

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

T is for Time

Time

That precious thing we often take for granted

I mean how did it get to be October already?

This month baby girl will turn 6 months old and we will celebrate her 85th birthday with my Mom!

Time

We are so blessed but so often we don't take the time to appreciate all we have.  I am as guilty of this as the next person.  Rushing from one thing to another.

Time

Time to take a moment and reflect on where you are in your life.  Where you want to go and what you want to make sure you don't miss while getting there.  

Time

Time to take care of me and not just everyone around me.  It is something I need to remind myself to do often these days.

Time

Take time to enjoy my home.  The things I love that surround me in my home; books, pottery, photos, memories and my sweet Charlie Kitty.

Time

Time to reflect on life's challenges and also all the rewards.  Time to enjoy the life I'm living.

Time

Time to remember where I've been and 

where I still dream of going! 

Time!

Joining Jenny at Alphabe-Thur

Linda